Culture & Business in India


Image of Red Gate in India
Spend two weeks over winter break studying business and culture in Goa, Agra, and Delhi.

***Application deadline extended to Sunday 15 October!***
Location: Goa, India
Language of Instruction: English
Term: Winter Break
Program Type: Faculty-led
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Tour important industry sites and meet with executives of Indian firms.
  • Visit the Taj Mahal and a variety of significant cultural and historic sites in Goa, Agra, and Delhi. 
  • Experience life at one of India's premier management schools, the Goa Institute of Management.
  • Open to all students with an interest in learning about India.

Develop an understanding of the complexities of doing business in India in this fascinating two week program. The first portion of the program will take place on the coast of India in Goa.  Students will stay at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and participate in classroom lectures with GIM faculty, discussions with business executives of Indian firms, and site visits to local and regional companies showcasing industries including tourism, pharmaceutical, mining, and shipping.  The program has previously visited the Automobile Corporation of Goa, Cipla/Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Guala Closures, Mormugao Port Trust, and cashew and spice farms.  Cultural activities and visits in Goa will include the Tambdi Surla Temple, a traditional dhow boat cruise, and daily yoga with a private instructor.   

Participants will then travel together to Agra and Delhi for the second portion of the program.  Industry visits in Agra and Delhi may include Reliance Retail, Wal-Mart India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Railways Ministry, and Indian Parliament.  Cultural activities while in Agra and Delhi will include a day trip to the Taj Mahal and possible visits to the Indian Gate, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, the Hauz Khas village, the Red Fort, and a cultural show at Kingdom of Dreams.

Goa, India

Famous for its beaches and world heritage architecture, Goa is located along the Arabian Sea on the West coast of India.  With a population of approximately 1.8 million, Goa is one of the smallest states in India, but also one of the most affluent thanks to its thriving tourism, agricultural, and health industries. Goa has the highest per capita income in the country and boasts a strong education system that has resulted in a literacy rate of 82 percent. Goa is home to several professional colleges, including institutes of management, medicine, engineering, dentistry, architecture, pharmacy, and polytechnics. Once a Portuguese colony, Goa still exhibits a unique blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures. The people of Goa are known for their friendly and easygoing nature. Goa is considered one of the safest places in India for women, and also known as a health hub where people from all over the world flock for inexpensive health treatments. The climate is warm and humid throughout the year, with winter season temperatures ranging from 70-82 °F. 

Agra, India

Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, Agra is rich with cultural sites. First termed Agra by the 2nd century CE geographer Ptolemy, the city is home to over 4.4 million people. Known for it wealth of cultural sites, craft works, and food Agra is one of India's top tourist destinations.

Delhi, India

Delhi is the bustling political and administrative capital of India and its second largest city. Continuously inhabited since the 6th century BCE, today Delhi is a diverse city with monuments of its ancient past juxtaposed with modern living. Delhi is home to major multinational corporations and visits to prominent firms in the Delhi area are included in the program.

Students will earn 3 hours of credit. Students will select from one of these courses:

  • MKTG 400/895: Special Topics in Marketing
  • IBUS 500/895: Understanding India: Business & Culture
  • BBA 500: Individual Research in Business
  • BUS 300: Special Topics in Business (for non-business students)

Course instruction is provided by KU's faculty director, Professor Sanjay Mishra, and faculty members from the Goa Institute of Management (GIM).  The course will include a combination of lectures, industry visits, discussions with firm executives, and cultural activities.  Students are required to participate fully in pre-departure meetings and all scheduled activities in India.

The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) is a top management school in India.  A new 50 acre eco-friendly campus set in the foothills of the Sahyadris Mountains boasts state of the art facilities, a faculty comprised of industry professionals and academics, innovative centers of excellence, and prestigious international linkages.  GIM offers a broad array of programs and a curriculum focused not only on core management concepts, but also on building character and an ethical approach to conducting business.  GIM students are regularly involved in extracurricular activities and community initiatives.  Students will have the opportunity to live and experience student life on the GIM campus.

Students will be housed in student residence halls on the campus of the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) during the program's time in Goa.  While in Agra and Delhi, students will stay in double or triple occupancy hotel rooms.  Meals will be provided and are included in the cost of the program.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

This program welcomes students who have a serious interest in learning about Indian markets and culture.  Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered after submission of a petition).  Non-KU applicants may also apply.

Program Cost for Culture & Business in India

Pricing for this program is all-inclusive, plus all meals during the program.

Several scholarships are available for studying abroad. Student in the KU School of Business should apply for the School's Study Abroad Scholarship. Program location is one of the factors considered for this scholarship. Students participating in certain programs in nontraditional study abroad locations (like India) may be eligible for larger awards.

**For the Winter Break 2024 program, Global Business Studies (GBS) is covering $500 of the program fee. This is already subtracted from the program fee posted.**

Sanjay Mishra, Professor in the KU School of Business, obtained his MBA and PhD. in Marketing from Washington State University.  Sanjay has taught courses on Business in India, Marketing Management, Marketing Research, New Product Management and Pricing, Categorical Data Analysis, Entrepreneurship, New Venture Creation, Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Personal Entrepreneurship Strategy.

For questions about this program you can reach Professor Mishra at smishra@ku.edu.

For questions about studying abroad, applications, scholarship opportunities, etc., contact the program coordinator, Brooke Stock brooke.stock@ku.edu.

Visit the Goa Institute of Management’s website.

Scholarships may be available for study abroad programs.  Consult the Center for Global Business Studies website for more information on study abroad scholarships for business students. For general study abroad scholarship information, consult the Study Abroad & Global Engagement website.