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Projects Abroad in India – Arrival Procedure in Madurai
Most volunteers fly into Madurai airport (airport code IXM), though you can arrive in Chennai (airport code MAA). As you leave the airport, the heat and hectic streets make your arrival in India an experience in itself. Don't worry - one of our staff will be there to meet you!
From the airport, you will be driven to our office in the Pasumalai district just outside of the city centre. The local member of staff traveling with you will tell you all about India and its people, their customs and habits. If you arrive in Chennai, you will have an 8-hour train journey to Madurai accompanied by one of our member of staff.
Volunteering in India: Orientation and Induction
Upon arrival at our office, you will receive a "Welcome Pack" containing a wealth of information about India. You will then be driven to your placement and introduced to the host family or placement supervisor. Right up until your placement host takes over, our staff will be on hand to help you and answer any questions you may have. You can call our India staff 24 hours a day if you have any questions or problems. Otherwise you can just walk into our India office during the day.
“My host-family made the experience a lot easier to handle and were always ready to help."
Martin Clarke, Teaching in India
In general, girls stay with local families while most boys stay in hostels or in accommodation attached to the placement. This is for cultural reasons - families with daughters usually feel uneasy at the thought of contact with males outside the family. As you may imagine, accommodation in India can be quite basic. Don't expect western style toilet facilities and your shower will be a bucket shower - it is what it sounds like! However, you will have everything you need - your own bed, a light, and a fan.
As part of your induction one of our staff will take you to be introduced formally to your place of work and meet your placement supervisor. During this meeting your schedule and working hours will be arranged and you will have the chance to ask any questions you may have. Most volunteers then start work properly the following day and our staff will make sure that you are happy with the plans for this.
Most volunteers have a short walk to work, get a lift with a member of their host family, or catch a school bus. A small number of volunteers travel to work by auto-rickshaw or public bus and if this is the case a member of staff will show you the route. Please note that you will need to cover the cost of the auto-rickshaw or public bus, which on average should be less than a dollar per day.
"Don't expect chicken tikka masala - that is an anglicised North Indian dish. Southern food is very different. Iddli, dosai and iddiapam will become part of your vocabulary very quickly."
Karen Slevin, Medical intern