Application and Qualification
What happens after I send my pre-application?
As soon as your pre-application has been accepted you will be asked to continue to fill out the main application form.
When that one is accepted, you will be asked to participate in two interviews conducted via telephone. These interviews will help us get an understanding of your personality and skill level. Once you have been interviewed further e-mail exchange will take place before a final decision will be made.”
What kind of qualification will I get when completing the course?
A certificate will be issued to participants who complete the course successfully. There are no exams and no passing or failing marks. However, we will reward those who show a proactive attitude, who participate in all activities, who are committed and keep deadlines etc. If participants fail to engage in a proactive, respectful, social and responsible manner, they will not receive a certificate.
Medical Concerns
I am on regular medication. Will I be able to obtain the medication locally?
If it is impossible for you to bring enough drugs for a year, please inform us in advance exactly which medication and amounts you require. We will then enquire if the medicine can be obtained locally. (These medicines will be procured at participant’s own cost).
Does the institute require any information on my medical condition?
You are required to provide a medical report on your dental health, as well as the following test results:
- Tuberculosis Skin Test
- Hepatitis A and B
- Malaria
- Feces Worms Test
- Yellow Fever (if you come from a region where this disease is common)
There are two reasons why we need you to provide us with this information: In the unlucky event that you become sick during your stay in Kerala, you must be in a position to prove to your health insurance company that you are not suffering from a preexisting condition. This way you can be sure the cost of your medical treatment will be covered by the insurance. The dental check is particularly important in this respect.
Should you suffer from a disease that requires quarantine, such as TB or hepatitis, naturally we would want you to be cured before joining the course. Therefore, if the test result for any of the above should be positive, it is in your responsibility to get sufficient medical treatment first before applying to the course.
Where can I get medical and travel insurance?
Please contact an insurance company in your country that offers a worldwide service. Please make sure that your insurance includes coverage for repatriation in case of severe sickness or accident.
Financial Matters
Does the institute provide an allowance for personal expenses?
No. You will be advised to bring at least USD 500 for your personal use.
Does the institute make provisions for the financial needs of dependent family members?
As much as we would love to help, our institute would not be sustainable if we were to support your families in addition to the costs we cover for all participants.
The IISE Curriculum
Shall we be wearing uniforms during classes?
We value diversity, so there will be no uniforms. You can wear your own casual clothes, however since we are guests in a rather conservative society, we should not provoke or offend our surrounding by wearing mini skirts, shorts or sleeveless tops. Minimal dress code therefore is: T-shirts, long trousers or long dresses. For swimming this means swimming shorts for men and bathing suit’s for women, no bikinis.
What is the schedule on a normal day?
- 07:00 – 08:30, block 1
- 08:30 – 09:00, Breakfast
- 09:00 – 10:30, block 2
- 10:30 – 11:00, Tea and Coffee break
- 11:00 – 12:30, block 3
- 12:30 – 13:30, Lunch
- 13:30 – 15:00, Flexible Time
- 15:00 – 16:30, block 4
- 16:30 – 17:00, Tea and Coffee break
- 17:00 – 18:30, block 5
- 18:30 – 19:00, BBC News
- 19:00 – 19:30, Dinner
This schedule is flexible – although we have a time table pattern for the year, it can change to suit the activities planned for a particular day or week.
Will there be any holidays?
The curriculum will be interrupted for some days in between acts. During that time participants are free to do what they please while staying in India.
How should I protect myself from insect bites?
We prefer to avoid any chemical insecticides on campus. There are some herbal ones which can be bought locally. All rooms are fitted with mosquito mesh doors and windows. In this area of Kerala there is neither Malaria nor Dengue Fever. The IISE has installed an eco-friendly anti ant/termite system around the buildings, which must be maintained properly in order to work. Please help with the maintenance so that everyone can enjoy ant and termite free rooms. Allergies against certain insects should be announced to the IISE staff.
Campus Life
How are our rooms furnished?
There will be 2 participants to every room. Each participant has their own desk, wardrobe, shelves and bed. A fan is fixed to the wall over each bed. Each room has it’s own balcony and bathroom with shower, eco san toilet and sink.
How will roommates be paired?
We would like to promote cross-cultural communication as much as possible, which is why we will try to pair you up with someone from a different country or continent. We are also striving to make good matches by taking into account the personal interests mentioned in your essays.
Do male and female participants share one dormitory building?
Yes, however they will not share the same rooms.
Will I be able to practice my religion on Campus?
Yes, however please bear in mind that there will be participants with different religions from your own. To avoid tensions we would ask you to practice your religion in private or in the specially designed area. The IISE is a non-religious institute that welcomes everyone with or without a certain religion. To protect the project, no religious symbols or activities can be presented inside the campus in a visible or audible way.
The only place of worship within walking distance of the campus is a Hindu temple. Churches, Synagogues and Mosques are not close at hand. They will have to be accessed by bus or rickshaw at your own expense.
Are there sports facilities?
There is some gym equipment; there are paddle boats and a place to swim. You should bring your own sports clothes and footwear.
Does the Institute have orientation and mobility instructors to show us how to move about in the school and in town?
Orientation training will be provided if needed in the campus only. There will be an organized tour to town where you will be shown where to do shopping, where to find bus stops etc.
Computers and Software
What will be our computer equipment?
The campus is equipped with a computer room with computers running Ubuntu Linux. We use Orca, a free-of-charge screen reader, which is part of the Ubuntu package.
Will we use any Microsoft applications?
We wish to avoid commercial software and work primarily with Linux applications such as Open Office. The idea is to familiarize you with free distribution software. Only then will you be able to use it for your future projects and make information technology available to disadvantaged communities in your countries.
Will there be internet access on campus?
Wireless Internet access is available in the office block only during designated times. The internet should mainly be used for project purposes. Private e-mail exchange and Internet use can be done during leisure time and during weekends. To protect project computers against spy ware and viruses, downloads of any kind of entertainment content for private use is not allowed. If such downloads are still made and they are proved to be the cause of damages or loss of data, repair and recovery costs will be charged to the person responsible for these downloads. Websites that are restricted in India should not be opened. The Internet system in the IISE project may not be used to spread religious or political messages.
Miscellaneous Information
Is public transport available to get into town or to the beach?
Buses to Trivandrum run every 30 minutes during weekdays and the bus stop is at walking distance from the campus. The bus ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 7 rupees one way. The same journey in a rickshaw may cost between 120 and 170 rupees.
The nearest beach resort, Kovalam, is accessible only by rickshaw. A one-way journey costs between 150 and 180 rupees, depending on your bargaining skills. A Rickshaw is a 3-wheeled vehicle, which can hold up to 3 passengers at a time. It is commonly used for taxi services. The price should be agreed prior to the journey.
Will it be possible to travel to other parts of India?
India is a very large country and the course is too intense to allow time for long distance trips. Also, traveling and sightseeing is not the scope of the programme. Day trips may be organized in the local area for team building purposes. Of course you are free to travel during your off days, however the Institute will not organize or fund personal trips.
What type of electric socket is used on campus?
Throughout the campus you will find the Indian 3-pin 220 volt sockets. UK and European continental plugs will usually fit. For other norms an adaptor can be bought locally.
What drinks will be available on campus?
Coffee and tea will be served in the morning and afternoon breaks. Drinking water will be available at all times. Twice a day all IISE members will be offered fresh lime water. Sodas and other soft drinks can be purchased at own costs. Since alcohol consumption in public is forbidden in Kerala, the IISE doesn’t serve alcohol.
What food will be served?
Generally healthy and tasty south and north Indian meals are served. It has to be understood that not all meals will be suitable for everyone. Recipes and suggestions are very welcome. Lunch will be served at 12:30 and dinner at 19:00. There will always be vegetarian and non-vegetarian, as well as a spicy and non-spicy options.
May I invite friends or relatives to visit me on campus?
Relatives, friends or project related guests may visit the IISE, but only under certain conditions:
- Guests should be announced beforehand to the administrative manager.
- Guests should always be reported to the guard when entering the campus.
- Hosts should take over all costs for food (50 rupees per meal).
- To ensure blind participants to know who is on campus, all visitors have to introduce themselves to IISE members at the beginning of their stay.
- Overnight stays for family members or friends of participants are generally not possible.
Can I bring my guide dog?
If a participant or catalyst wants to bring his or her guide dog, all papers, vaccinations, medical care, food, transportation and others have to be financed and arranged by the guide dog holder. The guide dog holder is responsible for the well being of the dog. The dog has to be well-behaved and human and animal friendly.