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How you can help | Getting here | On Getting here |
Getting here
First Things First…
| What to Pack…hmmmm | Essentials
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First Things First…
‘google’ Chennai on the Internet
Like it hot? Particular festival you’d like to attend? Check out the seasonal climate and festivals’ directory. Learn as much as you can about the city and the surrounds ahead of time and it will make it a lot easier when you get here. If you don’t find much online that helps you then check out ‘Lonely Planet’ guide to India.
Also peruse a site like www.xe.com and get familiar with the exchange rate between your particular monetary system and the Indian Rupee.
Get a Passport
Contact your local passport office or look up the information that you’ll need on the internet. A valid passport is a must in order to travel overseas and a definite must in order to get a visa before you enter India. Be sure to understand the processing time and plan your trip accordingly.
Get a Visa
The standard visa that is given is a 6 month tourist visa. You must contact your area Indian consulate or go online for details. Often you can download the application to speed things by saving a trip down to the local office just for this. Usually to get an Indian tourist visa for 6 months is a same day service but make sure you find out and don’t leave it until the last minute.
Get All Necessary Shots
Visit the Center of Disease Control (CDC) site for a list of the recommended vaccinations for traveling in the location(s) where we are headed.
Please see your doctor if you would like professional immunization advice. It is always helpful to ensure that your tetanus shot is updated, as you are walking barefoot through old structures.
Get Meds
A very helpful medication is a low-grade antibiotic called "Doxycycline", which kills bacteria in the GI tract. It can be taken on a daily basis to ensure that you don't have stomach problems during you stay; a prophylactic. Please ask your doctor for advice regarding this medication.
Ciprofloxacin is a wide spectrum antibiotic that you may wish to bring but must be prescribed by your doctor first. It is usually used after you ‘catch a bug’
Get Insurance
It’s important to have health and accident insurance while you are abroad, as well as coverage for emergency evacuation. Find out if your current insurance plan will apply while you’re abroad. You may also want to check into the possibility of baggage and flight insurance. Ya never know! In the US call 1-888-COUNCIL for inexpensive insurance for students, teachers and youth under 25.
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