Travel to India with Purpose
Join Rising Star Outreach Abroad for a guided, immersive experience in Northern or Southern India. Connecting with students, visiting communities affected by leprosy, and experiencing the culture and beauty of the country alongside an organization that has been there for more than 20 years. Start Your ApplicationSchedule a Call20+ Years of Presence
Rising Star Outreach has worked alongside communities affected by leprosy in India for more than two decades.
Established Campus
Spend time on our campuses where education and medical outreach programs operate year-round.
Families, Individuals, & Groups
Participants include families, individuals, and groups looking for meaningful travel.
Travel Planning Support
After application and deposit, participants receive portal access and guidance for flights, visas, and travel preparation.
The Rising Star Outreach Experience
Life on Campus
Spend time with Rising Star Outreach’s students.
Meaningful Connections
Share meals, conversations, and daily moments.
Colony Visits
Visit colonies where Rising Star provides medical outreach.
Experience India
Explore the culture, history, and beauty of India.
Why Travel with Rising Star Outreach
Rising Star Outreach has worked alongside communities affected by leprosy in India for more than twenty years, providing education, medical outreach, and community development.
Participants in Rising Star Outreach Abroad are not visiting a new location, they are stepping into a community where long-term relationships, leadership, and programs are already in place.
Through Rising Star Outreach Abroad, participants experience both the mission and the people behind the work.
What makes RSOAbroad different
- Gain perspective on the centuries-old stigma surrounding leprosy through meaningful moments
- Experience empathy and understanding that can only come from personal connection
- Long-term community partnerships built over more than two decades
- Locally led programs with support from U.S. coordinators
Where ancient traditions meet unforgettable experiences
How Rising Star Outreach Abroad Works
Submit a Short Application
Complete a quick 3 minute application and select the session that best fits your travel plans.
Reserve Your Spot
Submit the $360 deposit to hold your place in the program. Your deposit also sponsors a child in Rising Star Outreach’s school for one year.
Begin Preparing
After your deposit, you’ll receive a welcome email and access to the participant portal with guidance for travel, visas, packing, and program details.
Travel to India
Finalize your program fee and prepare for your trip. Participants arrive in India ready for a meaningful and immersive experience.
Expedition Locations & Dates
Rising Star Outreach Abroad currently takes place on two campuses in India, each offering a slightly different perspective on the organization’s work and the surrounding communities.
Southern India — Tamil Nadu
Established campus • 20+ years of partnership
Established in the early 2000s, Rising Star Outreach’s campus in Tamil Nadu has been the center of the organization’s work for more than two decades.
Participants visiting this campus experience the long-standing relationships and programs Rising Star has built through education, medical outreach, and community development in the surrounding colonies.
Spring 2026:
Summer 2026:
Session 1 | June 29 – July 4
Session 2 | July 6 – July 11
Session 3 | July 12 – July 18 (FULL)
Fall 2026:
Thanksgiving Session | Nov 23 – 27 (FULL)
Northern India — Bihar
New campus • Serving 22 surrounding colonies
In November 2024, Rising Star Outreach opened a new campus in the state of Bihar in northern India. This campus serves 22 leprosy colonies in the Sunderpur region near the Nepal border.
Participants visiting Bihar have the unique opportunity to witness the early stages of Rising Star’s work in the region and see how grassroots change begins to take shape.
Spring 2026:
Session 1 | March 23 – March 27 (FULL)
Summer 2026:
Session 1 | July 20 – July 25 (FULL)
Session 2 | July 27 – Aug 1 (LIMITED SPOTS)
Session 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 8 (FULL)
Expedition Fee
The Rising Star Outreach Abroad program fee supports the work of Rising Star Outreach while covering the costs of hosting participants.
$1,400 per participant
Participant Discounts
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Early Registration
Save $150 per group when you register eight months in advance. -
Returning Participants
Discounts available for past participants. -
Families or Groups Traveling Together
Groups of four or more receive $200 off per participant. -
Long-Term Student Sponsors
Participants who have sponsored a Rising Star Outreach student for three or more years receive $200 off.
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Final program pricing and any applicable discounts will be reflected on your invoice after application and deposit.
Considering the Experience
For many people, the biggest hesitation is simply saying yes to something new. International travel requires planning, time, and financial commitment.
Rising Star Outreach Abroad is designed to be a well-supported experience from start to finish. If you have questions, please contact claire@risingstaroutreach.org.
What’s Included
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- First-night hotel in India upon arrival
- One-year sponsorship of a Rising Star Outreach student
- Lodging on campus
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the program
- Filtered drinking water
- Session coordinators on the ground in India
- Trainings and presentations about Rising Star Outreach’s work
- In-country safety and logistical support
- All transportation during the program in Tamil Nadu or Bihar
- Project and activity expenses during the session
- Wi-Fi access for project work and communication
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Not Included
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- International flights
- Passport and visa fees
- Immunizations or travel health expenses
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Additional touring
- Snacks or meals outside the program schedule
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Travel Planning Support
Traveling to India can feel like a big step, but you won’t be navigating it alone. After reserving your spot, you’ll receive access to the Rising Star Outreach Abroad Participant Portal and support from our trusted travel partner to help coordinate the details of your trip.
Participants receive support with:
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- Flight booking coordination
- Visa application guidance
- Travel preparation and packing guidance
- Participant portal with trip timelines and resources
If you prefer to book your own travel, our team will provide the information you’ll need to arrive at the right place at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in Rising Star Outreach Abroad?
Rising Star Outreach Abroad is open to individuals, families, and small groups who are interested in learning about Rising Star’s work and spending meaningful time in the communities we support. Participants come from many different backgrounds, and no prior experience is required.
Can I bring my children on this trip?
Yes. Many participants travel with their families, and children are welcome to join the experience. Families often find that spending time together in a new environment creates meaningful conversations and perspectives that last long after the trip ends.
How do I register for a session?
To join a session, start by completing the short online application and selecting the dates that work best for you. After submitting the application, you’ll reserve your spot with the $360 deposit. Once your deposit is received, you’ll receive access to the participant portal and begin preparing for the trip with our team.
What are the program costs?
The program fee is $1,400 per participant.
To reserve your place in a session, a $360 deposit is required per individual or family at the time of registration. This deposit sponsors a student in Rising Star Outreach’s STARS education program for one year.
For individuals, the deposit is applied toward the total program fee.
For families or groups traveling together, the deposit is applied toward one participant’s program fee, while the remaining participants pay the full program fee of $1,400 each.
The remaining balances are invoiced after registration and are due 10 weeks prior to departure.
What type of accommodations are provided?
Participants stay on the Rising Star Outreach campus during the program. Lodging is simple, comfortable, and designed for group stays. Meals are provided on campus, and participants share daily experiences with staff, students, and fellow travelers.
Do I need vaccinations or special health precautions?
We recommend that participants consult their healthcare provider or a travel clinic before traveling to India. They can advise you on any recommended vaccinations or travel health precautions based on your personal medical history and current guidelines.
What language is spoken during the program?
English is widely spoken by Rising Star Outreach staff and coordinators, so participants are able to communicate comfortably throughout the program. Local languages are spoken within the surrounding communities, but Indian staff members are always present to help translate and guide interactions.
What is the refund policy?
Deposits are fully refundable within 30 days of registration. During that time, deposits may also be applied toward a future session or converted into a student sponsorship.
Program fee refunds are based on the timing of cancellation:
More than 90 days before departure: Full refund of program payments minus the deposit
90–30 days before departure: 50% refund of program payments
Less than 30 days before departure: Program fees are non-refundable
If Rising Star Outreach must cancel a session, all payments will be refunded.
Support Students Through Connection
Build Meaningful Relationships
Gain Perspective That Lasts a Lifetime
Questions?
If you’re considering joining Rising Star Outreach Abroad and would like to talk through the experience, travel details, or whether the program is the right fit for you or your family, we’re happy to help.
Reach out anytime.
Claire Tempest
Director, Rising Star Outreach Abroad
claire@risingstaroutreach.org
CONTACT US
PHONE
801.820.0466
EMAIL
hello@risingstaroutreach.org
OFFICE LOCATION
3355 N. UNIVERSITY AVE, STE 200A
PROVO, UT 84604
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 970552
OREM, UT 84097
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