ISS New Delhi Brings International Students Together to Explore the Global South

Understanding the Global South is an important part of studying contemporary international relations, economic development and global policy. It encourages students to examine how countries navigate development priorities, technological change, sustainability and international cooperation from perspectives that extend beyond traditional Western frameworks.
For students interested in these subjects, Global South study abroad offers an opportunity to explore academic questions within a different national and cultural context. Through structured learning, workplace-based experiences and cultural immersion, students can develop a deeper understanding of the institutions, organisations and perspectives that shape development in countries such as India.
The India Summer School (ISS) New Delhi provides an academic setting for international students to explore these themes while learning alongside peers from different backgrounds.

What Does the Global South Mean?
The term Global South is commonly used to describe a broad range of countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions that share diverse historical, economic and political experiences. It is not a single geographical category or a uniform group of countries. Instead, the term provides a framework for discussing global inequalities, development priorities, international institutions and the distribution of economic and political influence.
Studying the Global South involves examining how countries approach economic growth, sustainability, innovation and social development within their own contexts. It also means recognising the differences between countries and avoiding assumptions that one experience represents an entire region.
For university students studying economics, political science, development or international relations, these questions offer opportunities to examine global issues through multiple perspectives.

Why Study the Global South in India?
India provides a relevant context for exploring development, technological innovation, sustainability and changing economic priorities. Studying in the country allows international students to engage with these themes while considering the institutions, organisations and cultural contexts that influence how they unfold.
For students accustomed to studying these issues primarily through examples from their home countries, learning in India can introduce additional perspectives and encourage comparative thinking.
Students might explore questions such as:
How do economic growth and sustainability interact in development planning?
How do institutions and organisations respond to changing social and economic priorities?
What role does technological innovation play in shaping the future of work?
How do national contexts influence policy decisions and development outcomes?
How can international cooperation account for different national priorities?
These questions help students connect academic frameworks with the context in which they are studying. They also encourage students to examine evidence, question assumptions and consider why development experiences differ across countries.

Bringing International Students Together Through Academic Learning
One of the valuable aspects of an international summer school is the opportunity to learn alongside students who bring different academic interests, national backgrounds and experiences to the same discussions.
When students approach a shared topic from different perspectives, classroom conversations can become opportunities to compare assumptions and examine alternative explanations. A student studying economics may focus on growth and investment, while a political science student may be interested in institutions and governance. Someone studying sustainability may examine the relationship between economic development and environmental priorities.
These perspectives can complement one another, helping students understand how complex issues connect across disciplines.
ISS New Delhi creates a structured academic environment in which international students can explore development-related themes while engaging with India's social, economic and cultural context. The program's academic focus provides a foundation for discussions that connect individual subjects with broader questions about development and the future.

Exploring Development, Sustainability and Innovation
The Global South encompasses diverse development experiences. Understanding these experiences requires attention to the connections between economic growth, social priorities, institutions and technological change.
ISS New Delhi focuses on two academic themes: Sustainability, Growth and Development, and Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work.
Together, these themes offer several avenues for academic exploration.
Sustainability, Growth and Development
Development involves decisions about economic opportunities, social priorities and the use of resources. Students can examine how these considerations interact and why development strategies need to account for the contexts in which they are implemented.
Studying these relationships in India provides an opportunity to consider development questions within a specific national setting rather than treating them as abstract concepts.
Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work
Technological change influences industries, organisational practices and employment. It also raises questions about skills, economic participation and how institutions respond to new opportunities and challenges.
Exploring innovation and the future of work helps students connect technological developments with wider economic and social questions.
For students interested in the Global South, these themes provide a basis for examining how development and technological change intersect across different contexts.

Connecting Academic Ideas With Practical Experiences
Understanding development requires more than reading about economic and social change. Students also benefit from considering how organisations operate and how their activities relate to broader development themes.
ISS New Delhi follows a six-week experiential learning structure, comprising a four-week academic session and two weeks of service learning, internship or workplace-based learning.
The program includes 80 hours of workplace learning across settings such as technology firms, legal services, social enterprises, retail brands and community organisations.
This practical component complements classroom learning by giving students opportunities to consider how organisations function in different environments. It can prompt questions about innovation, sustainability, institutional responsibilities and the relationship between organisational activities and wider social and economic priorities.
The experience also supports the development of analytical questions that students can explore through further research and reflection.

Cultural Immersion and Understanding Different Perspectives
Academic learning about another country is strengthened by opportunities to engage with its cultural and historical context. Culture influences how people understand their surroundings, communicate and interpret social experiences.
ISS New Delhi incorporates cultural immersion into its program, including visits to Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb, an excursion to the Taj Mahal in Agra, conversational Hindi and yoga.
These activities introduce students to aspects of India's historical and cultural landscape while complementing their academic experience.
For international students, cultural immersion can encourage curiosity and reflection. It can also help them recognise the importance of approaching unfamiliar environments with respect and an awareness of their own assumptions.
Cultural experiences are most valuable when they complement academic inquiry, allowing students to consider the relationship between history, culture, institutions and contemporary development.

Who Should Consider a Global South Study Abroad Experience?
A Global South study abroad experience may be particularly relevant to undergraduate students studying:
International relations and political science
Economics and development studies
Public policy and governance
Sustainability and environmental studies
Business, innovation and technology
South Asian studies and related interdisciplinary subjects
Students do not need to specialise in Global South studies to benefit from exploring these themes. Those interested in international affairs, economic change or sustainability may find that learning in India provides useful context for their existing academic interests.
Before applying, prospective students should review the curriculum, program duration, eligibility criteria and practical arrangements. Students seeking academic credit should also confirm recognition requirements with their home university rather than assuming credit transfer is automatic.

Explore the Global South With ISS New Delhi
Understanding the Global South requires attention to different national contexts, development priorities and perspectives. Studying in India gives international students an opportunity to explore these questions through academic learning, workplace-based exposure and cultural engagement.
The India Summer School (ISS) New Delhi is convened by the Department of Political Science at Jamia Millia Islamia and the Esya Centre. Its six-week experiential program combines academic sessions, workplace-based learning, cultural immersion and a final research report or project.
For students interested in Global South study abroad, ISS New Delhi offers a structured opportunity to explore sustainability, development, innovation and the future of work while engaging with India's academic, organisational and cultural context.
By bringing together academic inquiry and practical experiences, the program encourages students to look beyond familiar frameworks, compare perspectives and develop a more informed understanding of development in an interconnected world.
To learn more about the program structure and application process, visit the ISS New Delhi application page.