Study Abroad Programme

This 110-Day semester is offered by the University of Pittsburgh and taught at Hanifl Centre. Participants are generally from the US and other foreign universities (Syracuse University & YaleNUS College of Singapore). Indian students are welcome to enroll on the semester directly through Hanifl Centre, taking up to five courses for a total of 15 credits. At the end of the semester, an official transcript is prepared for each student which can then be processed by the student’s registrar’s office to affect the credit transfer.

This is 16-week programme is unique in that 45% of the time is spent outside the classroom, on week-long expeditions & homestays, and overnight trips

Courses being offered on the 2018 semester are:

Himalayan Geography – Akshay Shah (Hanifl Centre faculty)

Himalayan Biodiversity – Suniti Bhushan Datta (Wildlife Institute of India/Hanifl Centre)

Sacred Himalaya – Pasang Sherpa (PhD, University of Washington)

Climate Change – Pasang Sherpa (PhD, University of Washington)

Mountains and Medicine – Independent Study – Joseph S. Alter (PhD, University of Pittsburgh)

Hindi, Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced – Chitranjan Datt (Landour Language School)

Field Trips:

1 Week trekking & homestay in Leh

1 Week homestay outside Ranikhet

8 Day trek in the Rupin-Supin valley

3 Day trip to Rishikesh

4 Day trip to Corbett Tiger reserve

Day trips to Jabarkhet Nature Reserve & Happy Valley, Mussoorie

Day trips Forests & Villages near Mussoorie and Dehradun

Packing List Ideal for Courses at Hanifl Centre

Mentioned below are the inclusions of the course, along with a broad list of basic items we recommend all participants should carry. You can always create your own packing list based on your personal needs and medical requirements.

BRING -

• Sun hat (Cotton or nylon)
• Sun glasses (Preferably with an anchor)
• Sun protection (1 bottle of lotion)
• Water bottle 2 bottles of 1 litre capacity (cola bottles work well, but insure that they do not leak)
• Wrist watch (is a must if wilderness medicine is a part of the curriculum)
• Lip balm/ chapstick (optional)
• Toilet articles (Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
• Pocket knife (optional, fixed blade or locking preferred)
• Camera (optional or phone-cam)
• Headlamp/ flashlight (Preferably a headlamp as it leaves your hands free to work. Please bring extra batteries)
• Personal medications (if any)
• Stationary: Notebook and pen/pencils
• Any other personal gear (Please note you will be carrying all your gear by yourself)

WEAR -

• Comfortable and athletic clothing
• Wool gloves (1 pair, as thick as available in the market)
• Warm Jacket (1 jacket is sufficient)
• Warm shirts & pants for camp (1 each is sufficient)
• Long john top also known as thermal underwear, preferably wool to be worn as first layer
• Long john bottoms (preferably wool to be worn as first layer)
• Hiking shirt (1-2 changes) preferably with a long sleeve
• Hiking shorts/ pants (1-2 changes)
• Underwear (5-6 changes)
• Wool socks: 2 pairs; preferably thick wool socks
• Nylon socks: 2-3 pairs; of the type you wear daily to be worn under the wool socks to prevent blisters.
• Sturdy hiking boots: preferably all leather upper as it provides better ankle support. If you do not own a pair yet, it is advisable that you buy one as soon as possible & wear it often so that they are well broken. This will help prevent blisters.
• Light weight tennis shoes/sandals: For wearing in camp (footwear should be closed toed, no flip-flops)

INCLUDED SERVICES -

• Expert instructors and internationally certified faculty
• Transportation for activities during the course
• Forest permits for hikes and camping (if outside Woodstock campus)
• Safe - secure travel & stay during the course activities
• Medical Emergency Support at Woodstock Health Centre/ Landour Community Hospital (LCH)

INCLUDED GEAR -

• Climbing Gear - All climbing gear is provided by Hanifl Centre. These includes different types of ropes, harnesses, helmets, slings, tapes, different types of carabiners, mittens, descenders, ascenders, etc. Our Climbing wall is state-of-the-art and is fully equipped with climbing paraphernalia and safety equipment.
• Wilderness First Aid Gear - First Aid kits for the training duration, first aid supplies (cravats, bandages, ace-wraps, cling-wraps, surgical shears, irrigation syringes, moulage kits, fake blood, etc.). Different props for scenarios (tib-fib fractures, wounds, amputated limbs, avulsed eyes, etc.), tarps, slings, tapes, ropes, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, wooden poles, backpacks, Actar Mannequins & AED for CPR, etc. are provided by Hanifl Centre.
• Field Section Gear - Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, gaiters, liners bags for sleeping bags & backpacks, cup, bowl & spoon, rain poncho, rain pants & rain jackets – if required, stoves, fuel & fuel bottles, cooking utensils, rations, trail food, trowels, water purification, first aid kits, etc. will be provided.