| FAQ |
 |
Preparing to leave
What airlines fly to India?
What kind of visa do I need? What about other travel documents?
Do I need any special health vaccinations?
Packing
What kind of clothes should I bring?
What is the weather like in Pune?
Is there anything else I need to remember to pack?
on arrival in india
What is the local currency? How can I convert my money to the local currency?
What are typical living expenses?
How do I get to Pune from my first port of entry into India?
on arrival in pune
Where will I live?
What can I eat here?
Safety
What will my first day be like at Extentia?
GETTING AROUND pune
What is the best way to get around the city?
How can I keep in touch with people back home?
What is the shopping like in Pune?
Does Pune city have a good nightlife?
Which places can I visit around Pune?
more information
Where can I get more information?
Preparing to leave
What airlines fly to India?
- There are plenty of airlines that you might want to check out for your travel to India. Some of the ones with more frequent dates include: Air India, British Airways, Air France, Delta, and Lufthansa. Other slightly less expensive airlines include: Emirates, KLM, Gulf Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
- Picking the least expensive airline is not always the best option as it might not be the most direct way to get here.
^ Top
What kind of visa do I need? What about other travel documents?
- You should preferably have a long term visa (e.g. for 1 year if you are planning a 6-month internship). It might be easy for you to obtain a long term visa in your home country but in India it can get difficult to extend it. You have to travel to Delhi and need at least one week for this process and even then there is no guarantee of getting the visa. This is something you don’t want to have to worry about once you are here.
- If you are staying longer than 180 days/6 months you have to get registered with the local authorities. It’s an easy process and Extentia will help you with it.
- It is good practice to leave copies of your passport, your visa and other important documents at home as well as make additional ones here.
- While in India, never take your passport around with you. It is safer to leave it where you are staying rather than carrying it around with you. When you travel, always carry a copy of your passport with you. Hotels and youth hostels have to send this copy to the local police station to report your stay.
^ Top
Do I need any special health vaccinations?
- If you are visiting India for the first time it is best that you talk to your doctor regarding routine vaccinations for precautionary measures. Also check the website of the Department for Foreign Affairs for particular vaccination related information.
-
Some people take malaria prophylaxes, some don’t. It is not that necessary especially if you stay around Pune and if you don’t plan to travel excessively to remote places.
^ Top
Packing
What kind of clothes should I bring?
-
Bring as few clothes as possible. India is a shopping-paradise; everything is very inexpensive as compared to most places in Europe, the US and many other countries. The dress code at Extentia is very informal so you don’t have to pack too much of formal wear. Most of the men usually dress casually in jeans and shirt/t-shirts and the women typically wear the traditional dress or jeans/trousers and t-shirts/shirts.
-
No one wears a tie or a suit in office unless there are specific formal meetings or occasions.
- At the end of your stay you will have so many clothes that it will be difficult to transport them back home. International airlines could be very strict if you have too much luggage, so try and keep it light.
^ Top
What is the weather like in Pune?
- Your packing will also depend on the time of the year you are coming to India! So it’s best to know which season you will be arriving in.
- India has three major seasons – Winter, Summer and the Monsoon. Winter months (November-February) are bright and pleasant though it does get slightly chilly in the evenings so get a few sweaters or just full sleeve t-shirts. Summer time (March-June) is hot in most parts of India, so light t-shirts, jeans, shorts etc. should suffice. Monsoon is usually between June and September along the West Coast and during mid-October and December along the East Coast. You must bring a jacket and some light woolens.
- Temperatures range from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius (°C)
- Summer: 24 – 38 °C
- Monsoon: 18 – 30 °C
- Winter: 10 – 25 °C
^ Top
Is there anything else I need to remember to pack?
- Bring your mobile phone with you. Prepaid cards are very inexpensive for making phone calls and sending messages as well. Adapters for your electronic devices (if required at all) are easily available here.
- It may be better for you to bring your own laptop (there are no customs controls on personal laptops) to use in India, else you will get your own desktop machine at Extentia.
- Bring something typical from your home country like pictures, books about landscape, a flag, music, cook book and a map! It is great for you to see it after some time but also for the people all over the world who want to know something about your country.
- It would be a good idea to get some small goodies from your home country. This might be chocolate or Gummibaerchen if you are from Germany or Switzerland.
- Get your sleeping bag – this is always useful while you are traveling around India.
- In general you get nearly everything here, so do not worry if you might forget something; but bring Sunscreen and Earplugs; these things are hard to get here.
^ Top
on arrival in india
What is the local currency? How can I convert my money to the local currency?
-
The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). The exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to INR 45
-
A good place to exchange your home currency into Indian rupees is the international airport in India. You will get a fair exchange rate and the service is really fast nowadays so you won’t lose time at all.
-
Bring your credit card if you have one, there are many places where you can use it (e.g. shopping malls). You can also use your debit card for cash withdrawal.
-
There are enough ATMs around town (like the Citibank ATM close to Extentia). However, there will be a small fee if you are client of a different bank.
^ Top
What are typical living expenses?
1 liter water: 12 rupees Cheap lunch/dinner: 30 rupees (from a not-so-hygienic place) Usual dinner: 150 rupees Dinner in a nice, fancy place: 400 rupees Renting a scooter/two-wheeler: 1 month: 1000 rupees
T-shirt: 100 rupees onwards 1 beer in a nightclub: 80 – 120 rupees -
A haircut: 50 - 200 rupees
-
A dozen bananas: 10 - 12 rupees
^ Top
How do I get to Pune from my first port of entry into India?
-
After arriving in Mumbai (Bombay) you could either catch a Volvo bus from outside the airport that will bring you directly to Pune (at a cost of 500 rupees) or a Cool cab that you will also get right outside the airport.
-
Pune is approximately 200 kms away from Mumbai and takes about 3 - 4 hours if traveling by road.
-
You can also get a train or flight to Pune, however taking a car is the most direct and usually the least expensive option.
-
If you arrive at any other destination like Delhi, you might want to fly with one of the domestic airlines (e.g. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, or Spicejet) to get to Pune. You can check prices online and buy tickets well in advance as they work out much less than the regular full fare. (Be warned that tickets bought online are typically non-refundable.)
-
As soon as you arrive in Pune, you will be met by a representative from Extentia. (Remember to keep their phone numbers handy)
^ Top
on arrival in pune
Where will I live?
- Extentia will provide you with accommodation that will be close to office at no cost to you.
- However, if you choose not to stay at the apartment offered by Extentia, you could arrange for alternate accommodation at your own cost.
- You can also choose to have a cleaning lady for dishes and cleaning (6 times a week - about 1000 rupees per month), a laundry man for your clothes (2 times a week, 400 - 500 per month per person) and someone will come to pick up garbage (daily, give them a little tip from time to time).
^ Top
What can I eat here?
- The Indian cuisine has a great variety, and the food is inexpensive. For example, you can have rice with vegetables or with chicken for less than one Euro or a steak for around three Euros. There is something for every budget and taste. If you like rice you have a clear advantage, but roti/naan (a kind of flat bread) and noodles are available in almost every restaurant as well. For those who like spicy food, India is the place to be. You can test your capacity regarding eating spices. If you have tried out some hot food in your home country, the adjustment will be easier for you. Generally, the food in Pune is not that spicy and it is prepared less hot for foreigners anyway. Compared to the local cuisine, here western food is much more expensive.
- Do not drink tap water. Initially you could drink bottled water till you get use to drinking normal filtered water. Make sure the water you buy has a perfectly sealed lid, otherwise there is a small chance that it might been manipulated and filled with ordinary drinking water.
^ Top
Safety
- In many houses you can find a watchman, who guards the house. Outside you can move relatively safely until 12 at night. Still it is advised to avoid dark and unknown areas; also dogs, which sleep during the day and are active during the night, can be dangerous. Men usually have less problems: many people who talk to you are just curious and want to chat. You always get along with a smile. But be careful: black sheep can also be found here.
- Tips for women: It is advisable to wear pants and skirts at ankle length and to avoid shirts with spaghetti straps (even if you see more and more Indian women wearing Western style clothes) – you are less likely to be harassed verbally by men. Still, you are not immune against curious glances – just keep on walking and ignore them and don’t be too friendly to anyone who starts chatting with you on the street. However, you can get around town safely also on your own.
The male colleagues in the office are very nice and helpful. But they might be a bit shy at the beginning, which can be misunderstood as hostile.
^ Top
What will my first day be like at Extentia?
- On your first day you will welcomed by Extentia and be introduced to senior management and to your colleagues. Soon you’ll know the names of almost everyone at Extentia, though some might be slightly difficult to pronounce J
- Your first few days will include introductions to people and some brief induction programs to give you a feel of the work environment at Extentia.
^ Top
GETTING AROUND pune
What is the best way to get around the city?
- Traveling around Pune is not a problem as there are auto-rickshaws available anywhere and at anytime.
- Rickshaws are metered though the fare is later calculated based on the meter reading. To make it simpler, there are pre-printed cards available with the prices per meter reading. Get one of these when you arrive in Pune or ask the rickshaw driver to show his card. The rickshaws have a night charge which is plus 40 - 50%, after 11 pm.
- If you feel comfortable you rent a two-wheeler/scooter but it would be wise to get a learner’s driving license to use it safely around town.
- Buses are also available but are often too overcrowded and not recommended at all.
- It is uncommon to get a taxi within the city. If you going outside city limits you can call for a taxi.
- The city is a relatively safe place and most people (including the rickshaw drivers in the area) speak some English so it is not difficult to get around.
^ Top
How can I keep in touch with people back home?
- Bring your mobile phone with you. Prepaid cards are very inexpensive for making phone calls and sending messages as well.
- Adapters to Indian sockets (if required at all) are easily available here.
- Besides having 24/7 Internet access at the office, there are cyber cafes at the corner of every street. Staying in touch via email and instant message is inexpensive and easy.
^ Top
What is the shopping like in Pune?
- Shopping in Koregaon Park (the area around the office) is quite expensive. Once you are here ask for directions, or get someone to come with you to typical shopping areas like Main Street (Mahatma Gandhi Rd), Laxmi Road or Fergusson College Rd.
- When shopping at smaller places, remember that you are a foreigner, you are special. Some unscrupulous people may try and cheat you. Be prepared and be careful. J
- There are lots of shopping malls in Pune and one of Pune’s newest swanky malls “Pune Central” is just ten minutes away from office. You will find American and European brands at relatively low prices at these malls.
^ Top
Does Pune city have a good nightlife?
- Nightlife here is great. There are many pubs and nightclubs in Pune so you are sure to have your share of fun and dance!
- The entrance fee for a nightclub is usually between 100 – 600 rupees. Most night clubs prefer couples at least on the busy nights.
^ Top
Which places can I visit around Pune?
- Known as the "Oxford of the East", Pune is a fascinating city, home to the highest number of educational institutions in India, culturally rich and in close proximity to a couple of hill stations.
- The most popular hill station around Pune is Mahableshwar, only 120 kms from Pune. You'll welcome the cool respite, enjoy the pleasant walks, boating on the beautiful Venna Lake and the stunning views from its many viewpoints.
- Just 19 km east of Mahabaleshwar is another pretty hill station, Panchgani, quieter, and good for simple treks. 24 km northwest from Mahabaleshwar, an interesting day-trip away is the Pratapgarh Fort. Some of the other forts that make adventurous trekking destinations on the outskirts of Pune are Sinhagad, Shivneri, Torna, Rajgadh, Visapur, Tikona and the famous Karla caves.
-
A favorite weekend getaway would definitely be Goa! The coastal paradise located about 900 kms from Pune, is popular for its sun kissed sandy beaches, easy-going life style as well as its various fairs and festivals! The fastest travel option would be to catch a direct flight from Mumbai (Bombay) to Goa. Traveling by train (10 - 12 hours from Pune), direct bus or car are the other alternatives.
- Aurangabad, Ellora, Ajanta Caves: Located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the famous Ajanta and Ellora are cave shrines cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage; you can go there by bus, which takes 5 hours and get around there by taxi
^ Top
more information
Where can I get more information?
^ Top |
