14 Cheapest Study Abroad Programs That Still Offer Full Credits

6. India - Jawaharlal Nehru University's South Asian Studies

India's Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi represents one of the world's most intellectually vibrant and politically engaged academic environments, offering international students unprecedented access to South Asian studies, international relations, and development economics at costs that seem almost impossibly low by Western standards. With semester programs typically costing less than $3,000 for tuition, fees, and accommodation, students can immerse themselves in one of the world's most complex and fascinating societies while earning credits in subjects ranging from Hindi language and literature to contemporary Indian politics and economic development. The university's reputation for academic excellence and political activism provides students with front-row seats to debates about democracy, development, social justice, and globalization that are shaping not only India's future but global discourse on these critical issues. Living in Delhi, India's capital and a city of over 20 million people, exposes students to the full spectrum of Indian society, from ancient historical sites and traditional markets to modern technology centers and international business districts. The experience of navigating daily life in India—from using public transportation and bargaining in markets to participating in festivals and religious ceremonies—provides students with cultural competency and adaptability skills that prove invaluable in increasingly globalized career environments. Students consistently report that their Indian experience fundamentally changes their perspectives on development, democracy, diversity, and global interconnectedness, while the relationships they build with Indian students and faculty often last lifetimes and create networks that span continents.