Drishtee Immersion connects rural communities with university students from around the world. We offer a unique 3-week program where students live in a village, learn local customs and language, before embarking on deep exploration of perspectives relating to community needs in health, livelihood, water and many more areas. With empathy-based partnerships communities are empowered to take meaningful steps for a better future.

Our student program is open to university students in Australia, Singapore, Japan, US, UK and Europe. See upcoming program opportunities.

For educators, Drishtee Immersion provides a world-leading pedagogical approach to experiential learning. Based on design thinking inspired 'flipped learning' methods we teach participants advanced empathy skills to empower deep engagement with India and their host community. At junctures throughout there are opportunities for self directed learning, supported by a team of experts in diverse fields including cross-cultural empathy, social innovation and sustainable rural development.

We have facilitated student groups from specific academic disciplines (e.g. health, business, design innovation, engineering, social sciences, communications) along with our general groups open to students from all academic disciplines. We do this because it gives the greatest scope for student interests and skills to align with community needs. Working hand-in-hand with community stakeholders student’s outcomes are interwoven with community ambitions. Lastly, our team is based in partner villagers 365 days of the year, to support community actions following student programs.

Drishtee Immersion is a 100% non-profit social business solely focused on creating social impact, not profits. You can trust Drishtee Immersion to provide professional, secure, and impactful international learning experiences.

Nathan Wiltshire

Nathan is committed to bringing about empathy awareness and actions in the world. Nathan’s work is focused on developing unique approaches to connecting people from all walks of life. His work includes academia at University of Technology Sydney. Read more here.

Satyan Mishra

Satyan is Co-founder of Drishtee Immersion. He brings over 20 years of sustainable rural development experience in India, as Co-founder of Drishtee, a highly acclaimed social enterprise. Satyan is dedicated to empowering rural communities, to be masters of their own destiny. He believes in the power of human spirit, genuine collaborations and being humble to continuously learn from others. Read more here.

Laura Martin

Laura is focused on Community Relationships. She brings experience in student international mobility and sustainable rural development. Her keen passion for understanding diverse perspectives supports her amazing abilities to empower all organisational stakeholders. Laura also focuses on environment, particularly the way humans interact with animals.

Catherine Walsh

Catherine is focused on Village Impact. She participated in our Bihar program as a student, deciding to return as staff after graduation. Catherine brings a keen passion for connecting student and community outcomes. She undertakes invaluable work hand-in-hand with village leaders coordinating community impact projects. In addition, she has a keen interest in public health and supports health collaborations in partner regions.

Sneha Karpe

Sneha is focused on Village Coordination (southern India). She has a keen passion for tribal communities, being local to the partner region in Maharashtra. Sneha has unique capabilities for connecting with villagers of all perspectives, while bringing students/community members together for respectful, authentic relationships.

Popat Lahamage

Popat is focused on Village Empowerment. He is a local to partner tribal regions in Maharashtra. Popat has a background in agriculture and is a respected cultural leader. He brings immense humility and community collaboration skills to enable villagers of all perspectives to come together for community betterment.

Rajeev Ranjan

Rajeev is focused on Village Coordination (northern India). He is a local to partner communities in Bihar and fosters a strong commitment to sustainable rural development. Rajeev’s experience covers a range of community impact work, over the last decade, including skills development, women’s empowerment, livelihood and more.

Molly Bowers

Molly is focused on Student Mentorship. She participated in our Maharashtra program as a student, taking up Fellowship after graduation. Molly has keen passion for cross-cultural understanding through participative learning. Her special abilities to bond with students provides crucial mentorship support during programs, furthermore Molly supports team initiatives in partner communities at other times.

Shraddha Kumbhakarna

Shraddha is focused on Community Interpretation. She is an experienced translator between Marathi, Hindi and English languages. Shraddha is born and raise in Nashik, the nearest city to our partner tribal regions in Maharashtra. Shraddha enjoys supporting community development and thrives in a multicultural environment, balancing differing perspectives and world-views.

Abhishek Rawat

Abhishek is focused on Community Interpretation. He is an experienced translator between Hindi and English languages, utilised in northern India. Abhishek is a local to partner regions in northern India. He is experienced in social work and uses his creative flair to get the best out of people. He feels most happy when others around him and comfortable and connected.

Ravi Kandpal

Ravi is focused on Mindful Training. He is an experienced fellow of Art of Living, the world’s largest collective of yoga practitioners. Ravi fosters student self-development and learning through morning mindful yoga sessions, along with ongoing mentorship support.