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Frequently asked Questions


Can Married Couples participate in Indicorps?

Married couples are eligible to apply for an Indicorps fellowship regardless of whether it is a one or two-person project. However, each must submit an application and a joint placement form. Each person will be evaluated on their own merits and on the strength of their joint application.


Can a person of Indian origin who lives outside of North America apply to Indicorps?

No. For the 2002-2003 fellowship year, Indicorps is only accepting applications from people of Indian origin who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada. Indicorps is exploring the possibility of expanding the program to include non-resident Indians in other parts of the world.

What are the financial arrangements?

The Indicorps fellowship stipend covers room, board, and fellowship-related travel. Fellows will be required to provide for their own travel to and from India as well as any other incidental expenses.

What about College Loans?

The principal balance on all federally-issued loans, William Ford loans, direct Stafford/Ford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford/Ford loans, direct PLUS loans, and direct consolidated loans may be deferred during the 2002-2003 fellowship year. Depending on the type of loan, interest payments may also be deferred. Note that the federal government evaluates deferment decisions, we only certify participation in a qualifying year-long service program. Many other loans have deferment options, please consult the lender directly to determine if other loans may be deferred.

What happens if an Indicorps fellow gets sick?

Indicorps will work with local doctors and organizations to ensure that fellows have access to appropriate medical treatment when needed. Indicorps encourages fellows to take appropriate precautions, i.e. immunization shots, malaria pills, and drinking bottled or boiled water (recommendations will be further detailed in the fellowship handbook).

What about health insurance?

Although medical care in India is not prohibitively expensive, Indicorps strongly recommends fellows to purchase international health and medical insurance that will cover major capital expenses and repatriation in case of illness during the fellowship year. Indicorps fellowship stipends do not include health insurance.

Will I be allowed to take vacations? What is my work schedule?

The Indicorps program will sponsor bi-monthly retreats designed to allow the fellows an opportunity to relax and share their experiences with other fellows. Indicorps will also break for six days during the Diwali holidays in November 2002. Indicorps fellows are expected to commit as many hours as they can give to the project. Since Indicorps is a total immersion program, there is no structured work schedule.

Can I visit my family or do personal travel during the fellowship year?

No. Because your project success depends on your relationship with the local community and partner organizations, Indicorps require you to make a total commitment to the project and limit travel to Indicorps-related events during the fellowship year. Indicorps suggests that you arrange personal and family visit for times before and after the fellowship period or during the Diwali break. On a case-by-case basis, fellows may be permitted short personal leave with approval of the Indicorps field office, however, Indicorps is not a travel agency and will only permit leave in cases of emergency.

Can family or friends come visit me during the fellowship year?

Family or friends are welcome to visit fellows on a limited basis, such that it does not take away from the fellowship experience. Consult with the Indicorps field office for more specific details.

What is it like to live in the community?

A part of the Indicorps experience is to live with basic needs and within the standards of the local community. Building a strong relationship with the local community will make the experience more rewarding. The projects have varying amenities; we encourage applicants to weigh the living conditions in their project choice. Since this is our first year, we are unable to offer a more specific answer to this question.

What are the qualifications for being an Indicorps fellow?

There is no ideal fellow. Indicorps seeks smart, energetic people with an adventurous spirit. Indicorps evaluates applicants based on their passion for social service, interest in reconnecting with India, and commitment to personal growth. The only requirements are that applicants be at least 50% of Indian origin, have a college degree or five years of applicable work experience, and be in good health.

What are the chances of getting in?

Indicorps is looking for qualified people with a passion for service, a desire to reconnect with India, and a zeal to learn. The projects are difficult and require not only a commitment to finish the project, but also to give something back to the community in which fellows will live. We will do our best to find a place for all applicants who meet our requirements; however, like any competitive program, success in the application process depends on the applicant pool.

Can fellows communicate with the outside world?

Absolutely. Indicorps does not intend to isolate fellows, but we do expect a full commitment to the program. We offer grassroots opportunities that take a lot of goundwork to create, and fellows are expected to take their projects seriously. Indicorps aims to create an environment that allows fellows to be productive, focus on their project, and understand India.

Is Indicorps difficult?

In a word, yes. Indicorps is designed to be a rigorous experience that offers an experience for grassroots service and will certainly be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. Indicorps is a personal journey that will require hard work, creativity, flexibility, and understanding. Indicorps retreats are designed to be ongoing development for fellows, as well as a fun and relaxing escape from the intensity of their projects.

Will there be people to give guidance and support?

Yes. Indicorps takes a large role in supporting its fellows. In addition to retreats where we encourage fellows to develop skills and gather information, Indicorps regularly visits fellows on-site to provide moral and logistical support. We will attempt to provide fellows with whatever resources they need to succeed.

Does the fellow have the option of staying with relatives if in the same locale?

For most cases the answer is "No." An important part of the Indicorps experience is independently adapting to a new environment and become a part of the community where you work. However, certain projects are not connected to specific communities or are in cities with difficult housing markets. In those isolated cases, Indicorps will work with the individual fellow to determine housing arrangements

.Do Indicorps fellows get any say in their project assignments?

Yes. Absolutely. The second part of the Indicorps application requires each applicant to apply directly for the specific project in which he/she is interested. Once selected, the fellows are responsible for implementing the idea and may need to redefine or modify projects as needed with the community and local organizations.

How is Indicorps different than other service organizations doing work in India?

Indicorps is not a volunteer placement program. Indicorps offers unique projects that require fellows with initiative, creativity, and a desire to succeed. The fellowship is heavily structured to focus on personal growth, and offers support by educating fellows with the tools they need to be productive. Further, Indicorps plays a constant role in the progress of its fellows; we are committed to doing whatever it takes to give fellows access to the resources they need.

Are there any special skills/credentials required?

No. However, we only accept college graduates or applicants with at least five (5) years applicable work experience. We encourage applicants to apply to projects for which they feel qualified. However, Indicorps also evaluates applicants based on their passion for social service, interest in reconnecting with India, and commitment to personal growth.

Is there a language requirement?

Some basic knowledge of an Indian language is strongly preferred, but not required. Indicorps will provide intensive language training during our one-month orientation program. We expect fellows to have an interest in quickly developing local language skills.