Sustainable Business Practices

Sustainability Abroad

Sustainability in India

The Sustainability in India immersion course invites you to discover how business and non-governmental organizations are structured in India’s unique cultural, political and economic environment. You will have the opportunity to experience the intersection of business, health and human services, social responsibility and sustainability in an international setting.

Our focus is on for-profit business, nonprofits and entrepreneurship activities that further the public good. The primary focus of the class and trip is to explore the question: What is the role of sustainability and social justice in society?

Contact the Center for Sustainable Business Practices for information about upcoming opportunities.

Business is one of the most powerful institutions on the planet. It has the potential to help society flourish. If you believe that too, come learn about sustainability in India.

Site visits may include:

Infosys: Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Infosys aims to be a globally respected and sustainable company. The company has used its foundation of sustainability to build a future-proof, community centric company, that is focused on helping their customers solve problems with sustainability in mind.

Himalaya: Himalaya's mission is to make herbal wellness a part of every home. The company strives to be the most trusted company in scientific herbal healthcare and is admired for its ethics, values and commitment to sustainability.

Tata Consultancy Services: TCS combines tech expertise and business intelligence to catalyze change and deliver results. TCS helps empower people through its corporate social responsibility programs, ethical governance and environmental initiatives.

ITC Gardenia Hotel: India’s sacred relationship with the environment is the cornerstone of the ITC Hotels ethos and an affirmation of responsible luxury: luxury without compromising the earth and sustainability without compromising luxury. ITC ensures that sustainable practices are built into their hotels in the design phase itself, thus enabling ITC Hotels to be eco-embedded, services to be eco-easy and associates to be eco-sensitized. 

Akshaya Patra: The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Bengaluru, India. The organization strives to eliminate classroom hunger by implementing the mid-day meal scheme in government schools and government-aided schools. Akshaya Patra also aims  to counter malnutrition and support the right to education of socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

Janakiramnagar Community: The Janakiramnagar Slum Community is where the 3D Empowerment Project was first implemented. The goal of this project is to equip women and youth with skills needed to succeed. The Project includes the Educate a Child sponsorship program, self-help groups and training programs.

Parikrma Humanity Foundation: Parikrma Humanity Foundation offers high-quality education, hope and support to thousands of children from four orphanages and over 71 slums. Parikrma focuses on the real meaning of education and development. Through advocacy and proven case studies, the organization influences systems, policies and processes of education at the regional, national and global level. 

Cultural Academy for Peace: Shanthi Bhavan, the joint venture of the Corporation of Cochin and Cultural Academy, functions as a short-stay home to lend a helping hand to women in distress and need. Facilities include the provision of a safe and secure stay for women and girls below the poverty line. The aim is to provide solace and comfort to women survivors, through rehabilitation and counseling.

  • What do I pack, and what should I bring? You should plan to pack light and leave room for items you acquire in India. Indians dress more modestly than Americans. Shorts are rarely worn. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a good water bottle. You’ll want adapters (type D) to charge your electronics.
  • How does the food taste? In one word: amazing! Food is definitely more spicy in India, but that doesn’t always mean hot. Hopefully you’ll experiment with new foods even if you’re a picky eater. That’s part of the cultural experience.
  • How much money should I bring with me on the trip? You should generally bring about $300. There are plenty of ATMS in India. Be sure to contact your bank in advance so they know you are traveling.
  • Will I be able to exchange dollars for rupees? Yes. You can exchange at Christ University (our partner in Bangalore) at the beginning of our visit. After that, ATMs are widely available.
  • Is it safe to be out at night? Yes, it is, but Bangalore is a huge city. As with large cities in the U.S. that are new to you, it is safest to move about in groups, never alone.
  • What should I wear during the day? For site visits to firms, we dress in business casual attire. Other than site visits, casual dress is fine.
  • Do we meet as a class before the trip? We will meet three or four times before we travel. These class meetings are late in the day on Fridays. During these class sessions, we will discuss Indian history, culture, logistics and our itinerary.

If you are looking to learn more about sustainability in India, then apply today on Broncos Abroad. The steps to find the correct program are listed below.

  1. Go to Broncos Abroad website.
  2. Login using your WMU account information.
  3. Click Programs in the upper left corner of the home page.
  4. Type Sustainability in India under program name and select India for the country.
  5. Click on the program that matches the name and begin the application.
  6. Identify a person (at WMU or elsewhere) who can provide a recommendation for you.

If this is a trip you are considering, please contact Dr. Palmer or Dr. Harrison to learn more.