Summer Program for Foreign Students

This four-week programme is a balanced mixture of academic and field activities providing a glimpse of Sri Lanka society, its history and politics and opportunity to experience its diverse cultures and multifaceted social life. Discussion topics and activities may be negotiated to accommodate both the academic needs and disciplinary backgrounds of visiting students.

Classroom Teaching

The medium of instruction of PGIHS summer programme is English. Additional lectures and class discussions can be arranged to suit the special needs of the visiting group.

This is a brief panoramic view of events covering the pre-history of the Island to the modern era. Early history will cover relations with India through invasions and religions, especially Buddhism and Hinduism. Colonial history will focus on European influence and nationalist struggle. The discussion on the modern era will cover Sri Lanka’s exposure to neo-colonial context with attention to the triangular relation with India, the West and the socialist world

Students will learn about cultural and ethnic diversity, the caste system, religious organization and belief systems. The focus will be on the two major religions, namely, Buddhism and Hinduism.

This is series of lectures and discussions covering contemporary national politics and international relations and the state of Sri Lankan economy.

Introduction to the two major languages of the country including history, scripts and essential words and phrases for everyday use.

Field Component

Field component will supplement the academic component by providing opportunity to observe and experience what they have learnt in class. This will also enable them to interact with people of the country and exchange views. The following are some proposed field activities.

Visit to selected places of archeological, historical and religious importance

Visit to some selected village communities to spend the day interacting with people

Workshop on cuisine of different communities, Workshop on music, dances, festivals etc. of different communities and peoples.

Other Information

During their stay at the Institute visiting students will be paired up with regular students who are chosen specifically for the purpose. This will provide both social interaction and security as well as opportunity to know the people better, even to gain some communication abilities in the local languages.

Accommodation

Can be negotiated within two currently available options, namely, staying with local host families or rented accommodation.

Cost

Cost is open to negotiation depending on the programme content and the duration of stay in the country.