Summer Program-Specific Information

This page contains important information–please read ALL the information on this page

FOR ALL SUMMER STUDENTS: Travel to India for the summer
There will be summer students whose tickets we will purchase and we will be notifying those students of that. The CLS program will be purchasing tickets for CLS recipients. All other students–including students who will be receiving FLAS or other non-AIIS funding–should purchase their own tickets. Summer students should purchase their tickets by the end of April so as to get the best rates. Students must purchase tickets through to their language centers. Students may of course arrive in India before the program starts if you want to travel around (except if you are a CLS student as you will need to attend an orientation in the US). The last day of classes for the summer program is August 7 so you can leave any time after that but you can of course stay beyond if you like. If you have any questions please contact me BEFORE purchasing your tickets. Most students will arrive in India at the airport in Delhi. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to their language centers will be met at the airport and taken to accommodations. However please note that most international flights arrive very late at night. Students may wish to arrange for connecting flights to their language centers that leave early the morning after they arrive in India, in which case they should just spend the intervening time between flights in the airport as there will be no time to go back and forth from and to the airport. Students will be met upon arrival at their language center (Jaipur, Pune, Lucknow, Madurai, etc.). Please all send us your COMPLETE itineraries with complete flight dates, flight numbers and times so our office in India can arrange to have you met at the airport. Summer students will be housed by AIIS free of charge for the night of June 10. If you arrive early and wish to be housed by AIIS before the program starts we can do it for a fee but you must notify us about that. Those of you who are CLS students will be getting information directly from CLS.

Pre-Departure Orientation
All students will be REQUIRED to participate in a pre-departure orientation that will take place over Zoom around the first week of June. We will send you all a link. The orientation will last about two hours and will include ample time for Q & A. If you have particular topics you wish to be addressed in the orientation please contact

Housing and Meals
Our staff in India will arrange for your housing in India most likely in large apartments owned by local families although some students may stay in dorm-like facilities.  AIIS will negotiate a fee that you will pay for room and in some cases partial board.  Please go to www.aiislanguageprograms.org (also accessible from the main web site www.indiastudies.org, from the language program page) for detailed information about your living expenses at the different language programs. Lunch will be available at the AIIS language program center (in the case of Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, and Madurai) at a reasonable rate.  If you have any dietary requirements or any other needs or concerns, please let us know so that we can place you in appropriate housing.  Please use the attached housing preference form. If you already have a place to stay, please let us know that as well. Please return the housing preference form by email attachment which we will forward to our office in India. Please fill out as much of it as you can.  The U.S. office will NOT be informed of the host families’ names and addresses before the program starts and so will not be able to give you that information.

Your Expenses in India
Summer students should plan on bringing about $1,200 with them to India to cover their basic living expenses. The recommended amount of $1,200 should cover basic expenses: the amount you will pay your host family, meals on weekends, lunch, the cost of purchasing Indian clothes, and your local transportation costs  (some of you will want to purchase a used bicycle, others will prefer to use rickshaws, buses, etc.).  If you plan on doing extensive traveling before or after the language program, or if you plan on buying expensive souvenirs, please remember to bring extra money. Please note that you can withdraw Rupees from Indian ATM machines using your U.S. bank ATM card. Students have reported that Charles Schwab has a debit card which reimburses ATM fees and that American Express cards are good for online payments. The tuition fee will include all course materials and field trips on some weekends and will not cost you extra money. The summer program tuition fee does NOT cover living expenses.  If you are receiving a stipend from FLAS you should have enough money to cover your expenses in India. CLS students will receive a stipend for their living expenses. CLS students will not have to pay their host families for housing though. Some other students will be getting financial assistance from us and this will be arranged  on an individual basis.

Required forms

Students who are receiving FLAS or some other grant, or who are funding themselves must fill out the tuition form and send it in with their payment of $3,000 (or indicate the payment was made by electronic transfer) or for FLAS recipients, they must indicate the name and contact information of the FLAS administrator at their institution who will be paying us the tuition fee out of their FLAS. Those students who have made arrangements with us so they do not pay tuition should note that on their forms. CLS students do not pay us tuition and do not purchase medical evacuation insurance through us. Summer students are requested to inform us of their intention to participate in the program by April 30 and to complete sign and return the terms and conditions by that date.

International Student ID Cards
It is recommended that you bring an international student id card with you.  You will get discounts on trains, planes, etc. with your card.

Health
We strongly recommend that you be vaccinated against Hepatitis A before you leave for India.  Also, make sure that your tetanus booster is current(you need a tetanus booster every ten years).  Please consult a health professional about other vaccinations or medications you may need to bring with you.  It is advised that you bring insect repellent to protect you against mosquito bites.

Class Attendance
Please note that all students are expected to attend all classes and field trips unless they are ill or there is some kind of emergency. Students who miss more than three classes without a reasonable explanation may be asked to leave the program.

Summer Schedule  (CLS programs will NOT be on the same schedule)

HINDI STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN JAIPUR)

Non-CLS Hindi and Marwari students must purchase their tickets through to Jaipur and must be in Jaipur by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Jaipur on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Jaipur will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Jaipur. All students will be met in Jaipur upon arrival. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

PUNJABI STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN CHANDIGARH)

Punjabi students must purchase their tickets through to Chandigarh and must be in Chandigarh by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Chandigarh on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Chandigarh will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Chandigarh. All students will be met in Chandigarh upon arrival. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

URDU/MUGHAL PERSIAN STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN LUCKNOW)

Non-CLS Urdu and Mughal Persian students must purchase their tickets through to Lucknow and must be in Lucknow by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Lucknow on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Lucknow will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Lucknow. All students will be met in Lucknow upon arrival. All Urdu students must FLY to Lucknow. Taking the train to Lucknow is not an option.  We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 12 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes for students is August 7.

GUJARATI STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN AHMEDABAD)

Gujarati students must purchase their tickets through to Ahmedabad and must be in Ahmedabad by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Ahmedabad on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Ahmedabad will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Ahmedabad. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Ahmedabad upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 12 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

BENGALI  STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN KOLKATA)

Bengali  students must purchase their tickets through to Kolkata and must be in Kolkata by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Kolkata on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Kolkata will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Kolkata. All students will be met in Kolkata upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

MARATHI/SANSKRIT/PALI/PRAKRIT/SINDHI STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN PUNE)

Marathi/Sanskrit/Pali/Prakrit/Sindhi students must purchase their tickets through to Pune and must be in Pune by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Pune on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Pune will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Pune. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Pune upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

TAMIL STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN MADURAI)

Tamil students must purchase their tickets through to Madurai and must be in Madurai by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Madurai on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Madurai will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Madurai. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Madurai upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

TELUGU STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN HYDERABAD)

Telugu students must purchase their tickets through to Hyderabad and must be in Hyderabad by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Hyderabad on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Hyderabad will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Hyderabad. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Hyderabad upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

MALAYALAM STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM)

Malayalam students must purchase their tickets through to Thiruvananthapuram and must be in Thiruvananthapuram by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Thiruvananthapuram on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Thiruvananthapuram will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Thiruvananthapuram. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Thiruvananthapuram upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

TIBETAN STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN DHARAMSALA)

Tibetan students must purchase their tickets through to Dharamsala and must be in Dharamsala by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Dharamsala on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading towill be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Dharamsala. All students will be met in Dharamsala upon arrival. I will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

KANNADA STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN MYSORE)

Kannada students should plan on being in Mysore by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Mysore on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Mysore will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Mysore. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Mysore upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

ORIYA STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN BHUBANESWAR)

Oriya students should plan on being in Bhubaneswar by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Bhubaneswar on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Bhubaneswar will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Bhubaneswar. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Bhubaneswar upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

ASSAMESE STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN GUWAHATI)

Assamese students should plan on being in Guwahati by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Guwahati on June 11. Students who wish to spend the night in Delhi before heading to Guwahati will be met in Delhi airport upon arrival and can be housed by AIIS before the connecting flight to Guwahati. For students flying into Mumbai: Please note we do not have an office in Mumbai and cannot meet flights going to Mumbai. All students will be met in Guwahati upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

KASHMIRI STUDENTS (PROGRAM IN GURUGRAM)

Manipuri students should plan on being in Delhi by the evening of Monday June 10. You will be housed by AIIS the night of June 10. Orientation will take place in Gurugram on June 11.  All students will be met in Delhi upon arrival. We will need your itineraries. You can arrive earlier and if you need housing earlier than June 10 let us know and that can be arranged. The last day of classes is August 7.

Other Information
Students should consult the language program site www.aiislanguageprograms.org for detailed information about their language centers. That site has addresses, contact information, model schedules, breakdown of living expenses, housing and much other useful information. The American Institute of Indian Studies Board of Trustees requires all participants in Institute programs to provide evidence of health insurance coverage while you are in India.  Please let us know your insurance carrier and policy number on the attached health insurance information sheet.  We can also provide insurance information for overseas care in case you do not have medical coverage that will remain in effect during the period of your stay in India and upon your return to the United States.

It is particularly important for all students who participate in this program to understand that the American Institute of Indian Studies Language Program operates under requirements set by the Government of India.  Accepting the offer to participate in the language program should indicate your willingness to adjust to conditions and requirements that may be quite dissimilar to those at American universities. Because of the intensive nature of the program, no participants will be permitted to bring spouses, dependents or friends on the summer program, unless those individuals are also on the approved list of participants in the program.

Address of the AIIS headquarters in New Delhi:
Post Bag No. 67
Plot No. 22, Sector-32, Institutional Area
Gurgaon-122 001 Haryana
Tel: 91-124-2381424 or 91-124-2381359
Contact: Ms Purnima Mehta

Language program administrator in India:

Dr. Ahtesham Ahmad Khan