Some context
In the history of the field school, while we intentionally overestimate costs, we have always returned several hundred dollars to students upon our return. We also ensure students apply for+ every bursary and/or scholarship available. We overestimate costs in case there are unforeseen expenses. But please know your faculty facilitators work hard to keep expenses as low as possible. For the 2024 trip, we have noticed that airfares (paid by you) and accommodation costs (covered through your program fee), have increased substantially due to inflation.
Please note costs in pink won’t be paid by everyone because in some cases, individuals will already have passports, up-to-date immunizations, international phone plans, etc. Course costs shouldn’t be considered field school expenses, because those course costs are in effect whether you go to India or not (see Note 1).
| EXPENSES | ESTIMATES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Program fee | $3923 | These fees cover instructional and university costs, all accommodation in India, almost all ground transportation in India except for cab to Delhi airport, and more than 90 percent of meals. The program fee schedule is as follows: May 31, 2023 $500; October 1, 2023; $1,712; March 1, 2024, $1,711 See note 4 |
| Airfare | $2000 – $3000 | Students typically get flights for less, and sometimes are aided by points |
| Meals | 100 | Nearly all meals are covered, but you may incur the occasional meal cost. Some have spent less than 100 on the entire trip. |
| Insurance | 75 | Out-of-country health, medical, travel insurance |
| India visa | 20 | please use the government visa site only |
| Miscellaneous | 150 | phone plans, gifts |
| Immunizations and Passports | 120 | See note 2 |
| Cash | 200 | Cash is nice should your bank cards not work. You can convert cash at the Delhi airport when you land. |
| Additional travel | ranges | See note 3 |
| Offsets | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| International Office at MRU | 1000 – 1500 | You are likely to receive a travel grant, with past recipients receiving $1000. |
| Travel grant from SAMRU | 700 | These are first-come-first-served grants but students have had good luck landing these. |
| Returned monies from field school | historically yes | We have historically returned a few hundred dollars to each field-schooler, but can’t guarantee returned monies as sometimes costs are higher than expected |
| Other | Private fundraising | Some students have held independent fundraisers to offset their travel costs, but MRU does not advertise or officially sanction these fundraisers |
| Other | Scholarships and bursaries | Every year, scholarships are left unclaimed. Please review scholarships through MRU , which typically must be applied for by set deadlines, and also your students association to see if you might qualify for one! |
*The field school saving challenge!
By our calculations, if you save around $10-11 a day for a year, you will cover your India field school costs.
How to achieve those savings is up to you, but here are some ideas.
a) If you buy lunch most days, pack one instead
b) Carpool to split gas costs 
c) Take transit rather than drive
d) Brew your own hot drinks rather than buying the fancy ones
e) For holidays and celebrations involving gifts, consider requesting $ rather than things.
Notes:
1. The two India courses (representing 6 credits) should not be considered additional or extra to students’ program graduation requirements. The course fees (estimated in 2022 at $705 each, or $1410) can be integrated in regular study plans. Please remember that because the field school unfolds in the spring, it represents full-time study and is student loan eligible.
2. Field school participation may require students have up to date COVID-19 vaccinations, depending on the host country’s requirements. We require Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid fever vaccines, and Tetanus vaccines & a passport valid to a minimum of January 2025 – students may face additional costs in meeting these needs.
3. Students should budget accordingly for a few meals, incidental transportation, and for all costs associated with extra days spent in India outside of the field school dates: and for additional health/travel insurance, and/or for personal purchases and souvenirs
4. Apart from the non-refundable $500 CAN administrative deposit, any unused funds at the project end are returned to all student participants in equal shares. Please note program fee covers instructional costs, university costs, all major ground transportation costs in India (except for cab to the airport for return home since many will venture elsewhere at that point), and more than 90 percent of meals and site visit fees.
