India Study Abroad Program Review

Northern Michigan University students completed a two-week study abroad program titled "Gateway to India: Culture, Community & Social Change" earlier this semester. The international social work course provided them with a "transformative" cultural immersion and global learning experience focused on cultural humility, diversity, community engagement and global social development.

Associate Professor Vikash Kumar said students reflected that the experience moved their learning beyond classroom discussions and academic research.

"While coursework lectures helped build foundational understanding, the opportunity to engage directly with communities showed that real-world experiences provide a much deeper understanding of social work practice in an international context," he said. "Many participants shared that the program helped them recognize the importance of working with communities rather than simply working in communities, reinforcing the idea that communities themselves hold valuable knowledge about their own strengths, needs and solutions."

Through direct interaction with community leaders, scholars and social work practitioners, students gained valuable insight into international social work practice and developed a deeper understanding of how culture, economics, religion, public policy and globalization shape social issues.

NMU students traveled across several Indian cities and explored rural communities. These experiences offered them firsthand exposure to grassroots engagement, local social work practices and community development organization initiatives across diverse cultural settings.

MSW Field Director and Associate Professor Caroline Cheng commented on the impact of faculty-led study abroad programs, saying it plays an essential role in fostering cultural humility and advancing experiential learning.

"By engaging directly with diverse communities and real-world contexts, these programs catalyze significant personal growth and enhance professional practice," she added. "For me, this recent international engagement provided critical insights and established meaningful connections with global scholars and social workers, directly informing my ongoing research and advocacy in the field of human rights."

Associate Professor Karl Johnson also said he valued the opportunities to interact one-on-one with Indian scholars, artists and students, and indicated he was looking forward to carrying out future research in India.

"It was interesting to observe changes in students as they adapted to and sometimes grappled with their immersion in a very different society," he added. "I was impressed with some of the deep and thought-provoking conversations I shared with students hroughout the trip."

For several students, the course represented their first meaningful exposure to international social work, Kumar said. Participants noted that their previous understanding of social work had largely been shaped through Westernized and clinical frameworks.

Through immersive experiences and reflective learning, they developed stronger observational and critical reflection skills while examining issues such as equity, access to resources, gender dynamics, caste systems, and ethical engagement within international contexts.

"The program further encouraged students to reflect on the ethical responsibilities of social workers in global settings," Kumar added. "Participants described becoming more aware of the complexities of cultural exchange, the realities of structural disparities, and the importance of empathy and ethical engagement when working across cultures. Many emphasized that the experience inspired them to think more critically about how they can adapt their own future professional practice to become more inclusive, collaborative and culturally responsive."

In addition to academic and community-based learning, students experienced India's rich historical and cultural heritage. Highlights included visits to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, museums, significant Gurudwaras, and other cultural and historical landmarks.

Students also participated in academic exchanges at the University of Delhi and Vishwa Yuvak Kendra. One of the most memorable moments of the programme was the celebration of Holi, India's vibrant festival of colors, along with meaningful interactions with children and families in a village in Bhilwara district.

Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi, and the Department of Social Work at the University of Delhi collaborated to organize the program for the NMU delegation.