Students from outside India who want to do research on challenges of rural India and solution designs for the same are encouraged to get in touch with us about six months before departure. They must get a reference letter from their academic institute. The procedure is as follows:
- Write us an email fintrust.india@gmail.com explaining your motivation. A CV would also be helpful.
- Students must come as a group of at least two to avoid isolation.
- They must have a clear research proposal.
- Then if the research question and methodology proposed seems viable – we will move further ! We will assign you a FIN mentor to detail the proposal.
- For those, who have never been to India, we offer a short online course/discussions on “I know India”, involving films and reading of contemporary articles and fiction.
- Then, we help detail the project proposal, outlining the program every week.
On the Village Internship
This will be more challenging as the village is isolated. No one speaks English. Our staff are nice and most friendly, but they do not speak English. Mr. Paranjothi understands English. You will be safe, but on your own. Thus, to avoid psychological isolation, we do not accept solo interns. Groups of three are best. The project also has to be designed carefully, so that you can do something without knowing the local language.
And it is always hot. The heat is most 
from March to July. There are cyclones and extreme rainfall during November and December. The village resounds with prayers blaring out from megaphones till January 15. Thus, the ideal time to come is during August-October. There are often power cuts.
All students opting for the village internship are required to do an orientation course prior to leaving as a group or upon arrival in the village, so as to be aware and prepared to face life and implement the project in the village.