Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education Program ISLE Pictured: Spring ‘15 students enjoy the view during an Environmental Studies class hike in the Knuckles Mountains Range

The ISLE Program is based in Kandy, Sri Lanka Students travel to all parts of the island for field trips and lectures

FAST FACTS Program Dates: – Fall Semester: Late August-Mid December – Spring Semester: Mid January-Mid May Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka Accommodations: Host Family Program Style: Academic & Cultural Immersion Application Deadlines: – Fall Semester: December 1-March 1 – Spring Semester: December 1-October 15 (following year) Affiliate University: University of Peradeniya

Course Credits Sinhala Language I = 4 semester hour credits Independent Study = 4 semester hour credits Elective Course = 4 semester hour credits Elective Course = 4 semester-hour credits _______________________________________ Total = 16 semester-hour credits (or 4 course credits)

Academic Themes Peace and Conflict Studies Women Studies Environmental Studies Traditional Medicine & Public Health Buddhism and Other Religions of Sri Lanka

Semester Plan Session I (4 weeks) Sinhala Language Course Sri Lanka Studies Seminar Session II (8 weeks) Elective Courses (taught at University of Peradeniya) Session III (5 weeks) Independent Study Project

Sinhala Class Students learn to speak conversational Sinhala and learn to read and write in the Sinhala script

Sri Lanka Studies Seminar This seminar is a series of field-based lectures which expose students to many topics of study in Sri Lanka. Examples include: LGBT Activism in Sri Lanka Ancient Sinhalese Kingdoms Post-War Jaffna and the Presence of the Sri Lanka Army

Elective Courses Elective Courses are led by professors from the University of Peradeniya. Each course includes many field trips and site visits. Elective Courses include: Religion and Ritual in Everyday Life Modern Sri Lankan Politics Environmental Studies

Elective Courses, cont. Images and Social Experiences of Women in Sri Lanka Tamil Langugage Traditional Medicine Conversational Sinhala II

Independent Study Project Each student conducts a project of his or her choosing in a relevant site. Students spend 3-5 weeks immersed in their research sites and then return to Kandy to prepare a final paper and presentation

Examples of Past IS Projects “Monastic Community: How to be Lost in the Forest and Find Yourself” “Socio-spatial Negotiations of Communal Spaces between Kattankudy and Araiyampathy" "A Take on Sri Lankan Women's Empowerment through the Lens of Reproductive Health and Family Planning"

Homestay Families Experience traditional family celebrations! Form lifelong relationships Learn social and cultural practices

ISLE Center Located a 30-minute walk from the University Site of the program staff offices, open classroom, and study space Boasts an impressive research library with over 4,000 titles

Immersion into the University Attend talks, lectures, and events Make friends with university students Seek research and language help from Sri Lankan professors and students Enjoy campus facilities like gym, swimming pool, and library

Traditional Arts Classes Students often choose to pursue extracurricular class in traditional arts and crafts Traditional Dance Drumming Batik

Alumni 15-20% of ISLE alumni apply and receive Fulbright grants to conduct research or teach English in Sri Lanka ISLE alumni are among the top South Asian studies scholars and can be found teaching at colleges and university throughout the country Many ISLE alumni have kept in touch with their host families and friends from Sri Lanka years after their ISLE semester.

Web Resources ISLE Website: ISLE Student Blog: ISLE Facebook: University of Peradeniya:

Apply Now! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis Download application materials Here: – 20Application%20Materials.shtml 20Application%20Materials.shtml Application Deadlines: – Fall Semester: Dec. 1 st -March 1 st – Spring Semester: Dec 1 st – Oct 15 th (following year)