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Student Programs in India

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Exploring India

India Country Basics

India, officially known as the Republic of India, is a vibrant country in South Asia. It is the world’s second-most populous country with over 1.3 billion people.

India’s geography is incredibly diverse. From the towering Himalayan mountains to the north, fertile plains along the Ganges and other rivers, to dense forests, vast deserts, and a long coastline along the Indian Ocean. The country shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Brief History 

India has an incredibly rich history dating back to as early as 3300 B.C. The Indus Valley, in the northwest of the country, is one of the world’s earliest cradles of civilization.

The Gupta Dynasty ruled from the 4th to 6th centuries during what was known as the Golden Age of science and art in India. Turks and Afghans established the Delhi Sultanate during the 10th and 11th centuries and in the early 16th century, Emperor Babur established the Mughal Dynasty, ruling India for more than 300 years.

Later in the 16th century, Europeans began to explore India. Despite Indian resistance, in 1857 the British took control over India. It remained under British rule for almost 100 years before years of nonviolent protest, famously led by Mohandas Gandhi, eventually led to independence in 1947. Upon gaining independence, India separated into two countries: a secular, Hindu majority India and an Islamic Pakistan. The two countries have had a turbulent history, with many conflicts and skirmishes centered in the rugged Himalayan mountains of Kashmir. Since 1991, India’s government has focused on policies leading to rapid economic growth and the country is increasingly regarded as an important emerging power on the international scene.

Cultural Expectations 

Indian culture is renowned for its ancient traditions, classical music and dance, art, philosophy, and spirituality. The country celebrates many large and colorful festivals, including Diwali, Holi, Eid, and more.

While in India, you can expect…  

to eat with your hands and bargain at all stores, markets, and vendors. Expect to be warmly welcomed, served chai and food, and treated with respect, interest, and curiosity. Atithi Devo Bhavan (Guest is God), is a Sanskrit verse that has become part of the code of conduct in India at large.

While in India, locals will expect you…  

to respect their customs and values. Ask questions and be open to talking about a variety of topics, and to be curious and interested in their country. Also, remember to use your right hand when eating and receiving food and to keep your knees and shoulders covered.

Cultural Icon: Mahatma Gandhi was the primary leader of the Indian nationalist movement in British-ruled India. His peaceful form of civil disobedience inspired people all over the world, including Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Food and Drink

Indian foods vary greatly from region to region. Generally, in the north there are curries and more breads like roti and naan. Rice and veggie combinations are a staple of the south. Popular cuisine in Kerala includes seafood, coconut, rice, and tapioca. In Rajasthan, daal-baati, a hard bread is served with a sweet mixture of wheat, sugar, and ghee called choorma.

Chai is perhaps the most beloved beverage in India. It’s a spiced tea made with black tea leaves, milk, sugar, and a blend of aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Lassi is a traditional Indian yogurt-based drink. It comes in two main varieties: sweet lassi, which is blended with sugar or fruits, and salty lassi, seasoned with spices and salt. Mango lassi is a popular variation.

Some popular Indian foods include:

  • Curries
  • Biryani (flavorful rice dish with meat or vegetables)
  • Tandoori (Meat or vegetables marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices, and cooked in a clay oven)
  • Paneer (a fresh cheese widely used in vegetarian dishes)
  • Dosa (thin, crispy pancakes)
  • Idli (soft, steamed rice cakes)
  • Samosas (fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat)
  • Chaat (a variety of savory snacks)
  • Dal (a variety of lentil-based dishes)

Language 

India is a linguistically diverse nation with hundreds of languages spoken across the country. There are 22 official languages total, with Hindi and English among them. Hindi is the most widely spoken, and English is the language used for national, political, and commercial communication.

A few key phrases in Hindi are listed below.

  • Hello: Namaste 
  • How are you? Aap kaise hain?
  • Good night: Shubh ratr; Goodbye: Namaste 
  • Please: Krupya; Thank you: Dhanyavad 
  • Excuse me: Maaf kijiye 
  • Sorry: Maaf kijiye
  • Where is ____?  ___ kahaun hai?
  • How much is it? Ye kitna hai? 

Ethnic Groups

One of the largest ethnic groups in India are Indo-Aryans primarily living in north and central India. This group makes up 72 percent of the population. 25 percent are Dravidian, primarily living in the south and parts of east India.

Religion

India is the birthplace of major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is also home to Muslim, Christian, and other religious communities.

Today, the breakdown in the country is:

79.8 percent Hindu, 14.2 percent Muslim, 2.3 percent Christian, 1.7 percent Sikh 1.7% and two percent other and unspecified.

Currency 

The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR). The word ‘rupee’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “rupyakam,” which means “silver coin.”

The currency’s bills have been updated with new designs over time. In 2016, the Indian government introduced new rupee bills, all featuring Mahatma Gandhi. The new bills were also smaller in size than previous versions.

Different denominations of the bills come in different colors. The options are ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, though some small vendors don’t appreciate being given the bills with larger denominations since it’s hard to make change. In 2023 the Reserve Bank of India made the decision to withdraw ₹2000 bills from circulation.

There also are coins of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10. Exchange rates fluctuate.

When buying items, keep in mind that bargaining is the norm in many locations in India since there are no price tags.

Did You Know?

  • India is the world’s largest democracy and second most populous country (with more people than all of Africa combined). It is also the largest English-speaking nation on the planet.
  • The world’s first university was established at Takshasila in 700 B.C.
  • India has 22 official languages, over 1,000 dialects, and 5 different language families!
  • The English words shampoo, pajama, juggernaut, and khaki are all derived from Hindi or Urdu.
  • The Indian movie industry, known as “Bollywood,” produces approximately 1,000 films every year, more than the United States, France, Italy and China combined.
  • It is more common to ask someone for directions than to use a map in India. It is a very verbal culture, and people will frequently ask to find out how to get to a location in the city, to a particular landmark, house, or even the local market.
  • Nearly everything in India can be bargained for, though this is changing in urban centers with the introduction of larger “box” stores and chains.
  • Cows can be found roaming the streets in India. They are considered a sacred animal and are a Hindu symbol of good fortune.
  • Despite its size, all of India lies under one time zone.

Rustic Pathways in India

A to Z: Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Students to India
The ABC’s of India! This list gives you a window into life in India.

From Student Traveler to Journalist: How Teen Programs Helped Inspire a Career
Mark Scaglione first traveled with Rustic Pathways when he was 14 years old. The next year he traveled to India where his experiences has a lasting impact. Years later his journeys helped spark an interest in journalism and a career at NBC News.

How This 17-Year-Old’s Passion to End Domestic Violence Led Her to India
Learn about a student’s passion for creating awareness of what a healthy relationship looks like.

Eat

Delhi Street Food
Experience the flavors of Delhi. This street food is rich in flavor and draws influence from regions all around India.

Pop Culture

Documentary: Bollywood
Bollywood has become synonymous with India for a lot of foreigners. The melodrama, the over-the-top action sequences, the singing in the mountains and dancing on cliffs. And oh, Shah Rukh Khan. Come check it out and see for yourself why Bollywood is so popular worldwide

The Sport of Cricket
Cricket is far and away the biggest and most beloved sport in India, with millions every year tuning in on TV, turning up to local matches or playing it themselves.

Do

History of Henna
Mehendi or Henna Dye – Learn how one of the most important traditions in Indian Culture is related to modern day popularity.

Mandala Design How-To
Learn all about the Mandala – Its meaning, design and coloring.

History and Culture

The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is distinguished as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, the Taj Mahal is also one of the world’s most iconic monuments, visited by millions of tourists each year.

Five Most Mysterious Temples in India
Ancient Temples Hides Within Them Thousands Of Years Of History And Mysteries…These Are The 5 Most Mysterious Temples.

Happy Diwali
Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. This article provides Background information, Fast Facts, Q&A and vocabulary to help you better understand why this is India’s most celebrated holiday!

History of India in 15 Minutes
This video tells the story of India, from the first human migrations to the first Lunar landing. It showcases the eras of Indian history from the Indus valley to Indira Gandhi and describes the rise and fall of great powers like the Maurya, the Mughals, the Maratha and others. It traces the origin of 4 religions – Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism as well as the contributions of foreigners like the Greeks and British.