ILRIC 4260 prepares students for their summer Global Service Learning (GSL) field-experience with ILR’s partner institution, the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM.org), a community development organization in Mysore, India. The course is designed to prepare students academically, culturally, and personally prior to their engagement. Global service learning, a form of experiential and engaged learning, requires continuous reflection, thus reflection writings will be required throughout the semester. In addition, students will write a final comparative-research paper centered around their summer project in India. Students are expected to be active learners and participants throughout the semester; discussions, interaction and engagement with classmates and instructors will be essential throughout the semester. This course is only open to ILR and Global Health students accepted into the India GSL program.