MIT India
From MISTI Wiki
This information is meant to supplement the MIT India Living Guide
Contents |
Before Coming
1. Get your cell phone unlocked from your phone service provider so that you can purchase a sim card in india and get an indian phone number on your phone. It generally takes 24-48 hours for service providers to unlock your phone. T-mobile did it for my T-mobile phone for free.
Everyday things you'll need to bring/buy in India
1. Mosquito Repellent (Stronger and less harmful mosquito repellent is found in the United States)
2. Toilet Paper
3. Imodium (It is probably cheaper to buy in India)
4. Converter to convert American plugs so that they can fit into Indian outlets. Bring one if you need to use any chargers/electronics from the US in India. You can buy one also, I believe it costs around 25 rupees in India (probably cheaper in India).
5. Toiletries and cosmetics. Many brands are different in India, so if you don't want to try something new, you should bring your own. Also, most products have features meant for brown skin and black hair (e.g. shampoos can include black dye, soaps can include bleach). Read labels carefully or bring your own if you don't want those features.
Getting Settled
Daily Life
Chennai
If you are out late and can't find an auto rickshaw, or you need to get a taxi to the airport, an option is FastTrack Car Service. It is one of the cheaper taxi options and the number is 04424732020.
Travel
Trains
Trains are a great way to travel in India. When planning a trip that involves train travel, book your tickets ahead of time. You can buy train tickets for travel online on the Indian Railways website or through an agent. An agent generally charges a fee for reserving your ticket. The website can be slow, annoying, or frustrating sometimes, but sometimes it works wonderfully. There are different classes of compartments that trains in India have. Most overnight trains are sleepers, and have beds that double as seats for some time. General compartments are generally overcrowded and don't have any kind of reservation system. Sleeper Class compartments have reserved seating at about 8 per compartment, but no air conditioning. Windows in sleeper compartments can be dirty. Third AC Class Compartments are also 8 people per compartment, but they have air conditioning, are generally cleaner. They also offer sheets and blankets, and outlets for charging. Second AC class compartments have 4 people per compartment and are also equipped with curtains for privacy while sleeping. First AC class is probably even better, but I've never been.
The website for the Indian Railway is: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
