May trip to India will include guided tours of historic sites

University of Detroit Mercy students and faculty will soon get an opportunity to travel to India.

The trip takes place next semester from May 15-23. The group will visit multiple cities and historic sites like the Taj Mahal, with local experts sharing their knowledge of the landmarks.

Multiple information sessions have been held already, and those who are interested in attending can contact Diane Robinson-Dunn, associate professor of history.

Robinson-Dunn, who has led multiple overseas trips at UDM, said the trip will include a visit to the cities of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, known as India’s “Golden Triangle”

“Throughout the tour, local expert guides will accompany the group sharing their insights into the region and their knowledge of the histori- cally and culturally significant sites we will be visiting such as the Taj Mahal, the Palace of the Winds and The Gandhi National Museum,” Robinson-Dunn told The Varsity News.

She and others planning the trip deliberately chose dates that won’t conflict with graduation on May 13 and will still fall within the winter semester. That way, students going on the trip can also take a course that semester about the history of the region to help prepare them.

The course, titled “Topics in world history: India cultures and encounters 1600-1947” can be used to fulfill three credit hours towards core curriculum requirements.

“In it, we will consider the history of the Indian subcontinent beginning with the first contacts between representatives of the British East India company and the Mughal Empire during the 17th century to the emergence of Indian nationalism, independence and the creation of Pakistan in the mid-twentieth century,” Robinson-Dunn said. “Attention will be given to the way in which people from diverse backgrounds, traditions, belief systems and practices have interacted with each other and within the various institutions and networks that flourished in South Asia during the 1600-1947 period.”

The trip is open to all Detroit Mercy students, as well as employ- ees and alumni, although students with majors or minors in the College of Liberal Arts and Education can receive travel grants. History majors can also qualify for an additional financial award.

Robinson-Dunn said the cost, without grants, will be between $4,600 to $4,800.

“Even if you never thought that you would be able to visit India, it is possible, and there are some very generous funding opportunities in place especially for CLAE majors and minors,” Robinson-Dunn said.

For additional information, students can contact Robinson-Dunn at robinsod@udmercy.edu or Lara Wasner, director of language and cultural training, at wasnerle@udmercy.edu.