Since 2011, the ILR School has partnered with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM.org), in Mysore, Karnataka State. SVYM is a community development, non-religious, non-political organization working for the benefit of indigenous and rural people in southern India through effective education, accessible healthcare, socio-economic development, and sustainable empowerment initiatives.  The Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM.org.in) is the policy-research arm of SVYM. 

Each summer, ILR students travel to Mysore and work under the supervision of a mentor on an internship in one of the SVYM units. Depending on the needs of SVYM, the internship offerings will change each year, past projects were in the areas of law & alternative dispute resolution, organizational management, policy, governance, child labor, migrant workers, human resources management, job training/development for rural women, corporate social responsibility, education policy, teaching English, palliative care/healthcare, HIV study, finance and accounting, gender studies, disabilities studies, adaptive leadership project, marketing and fundraising.

For details about some of the projects, visit the student blog (note that the collaboration between ILR and the global health program ended in summer 2023).

2023 ILR India students visiting Chamundi Hill in Mysore City, Karnataka State

What is unique about this program?

The ILR program is a student-centric opportunity where they apply their skills and interests in assisting SVYM in serving local communities.  The staff at the at the Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) hold an orientation, provide local excursions, and facilitate meetings with SVYM internship supervisors and mentors in the first week. 

(Photo left) Grace K. BSILR'24 meeting with her supervisor in GRAAM, the policy research branch at SVYM.

During the program, ILR students will assist the ILR program assistants in holding a week-long debate camp to area high school students.  The camp is a youth empowerment opportunity where the debaters will be introduced to skills to help them effectively and confidently voice their ideas and opinions.  The camp format provides a cross-cultural opportunity for the ILR and Mysore high school students to engage.

(Photo right) Dovanie B. BSILR'26 coaching students in the 2023 debate camp.

After the camp, the last 4 weeks of the program will be full-time working on your project team, and in the last week, presenting your final deliverable to SVYM. 

India Program Timeline

Fall 2025: Apply to the ILR India program. The application is rolling with the deadline in mid-October. 

Spring 2026:Attend mandatory pre-departure meetings that will be held throughout the semester.  Note that these meetings are for ILR students who have been officially accepted into the ILR-managed India or Zambia programs.  

During the spring, students will be matched to an SVYM internship based on their skills match, interests, and the needs of SVYM units. 

Summer 2026: Travel to Mysore for the 6-week engagement. Each week, fellows will attend a lecture delivered by a subject-matter expert ranging from Gender in India and Indian Labor Law, to Social Determinants Impacting Healthcare in India. 

Fall 2026: ILR India Engaged Learning participants share their experiences with the greater ILR and Cornell communities at the ILR Engaged Learning Gallery poster session at the end of the September. 

What is unique about SVYM?

In 2015, SVYM was named the #1 NGO in India.  The organization boasts several academic initiatives, including housing a grassroots policy research institute (GRAAM) in collaboration with the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs.

How do I apply?

1. Review the program Requirements.
2. Meet with one of the India program assistants and alumni to learn about the program. Or meet with the program advisor Tamara Ingram (tsi4@cornell.edu) to discuss the program details and your eligibility.
3. Complete the online application by clicking on the "Apply" button on this web page. You must log in with your NetID and password to access the application.
4. Strong applicants will be invited for an interview.  Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the program is filled.