"India is, the cradle of the human race, thebirthplace of human speech, the mother ofhistory, the grandmother of legend, and thegreat grand mother of tradition. Our mostvaluable and most instructive materials in thehistory of man are treasured up in India only.“

MARK TWAIN

• Global Community Development Programme

• Discovering India

• Breaking Barriers

• Customer Experience Management

• AIESEC India’s EXCEL

• Culture Shock

• If you are a GCDP EP who has been matched to India, fill out this form:

• http://discover.aiesec.in/register/igcdp-register/

• We aim at providing social impact opportunities that

build young leaders who have the right set of skills,

knowledge and attitude to make a difference to the

society. AIESEC India has been the leading entity in

the network in GCDP ICX with over 2556

experiences delivered in 2012 and aims at delivering

about 3500 experiences in the year 2013.

• All projects are mostly for a duration of 6-8 weeks

running throughout the year in different cities.

Human Rights

• Project Footprints

• Project Rural Development

Health and Lifestyle

• Project Genesis

Environment

• Project Conserve

Cultural Understanding

• Project Worldview

AIESEC India currently caters to four issues through five Nationalized Projects, namely

43%

8%19%

15%

15%Footprints

Genesis

Worldview

Conserve

Rural Development

What have the EPs got to say?

What have the EPs got to say?

What have the EPs got to say?

Visit the Taj Mahal - The Epitome of Love

• When listing the things one must do in India, you can’t leave Taj Mahal out. Built in the 17th century, this white marble monument attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. It is the epitome of love as the world knows it. While a visit to Taj Mahal at any time of the day is exciting, consider visiting it during night, preferably on a full moon night. The charges are a little higher for night visits, but it is worth the experience.

A rendezvous with the wild side of nature is always an exciting experience. Corbett National Park can definitely give a thrilling rendezvous with the

wilderness of India. It is one of the oldest national parks of the country, and certainly one of the most popular. Embark on a wildlife safari here, either in a jeep or on an elephant. Wildlife safari packages range from short 3 day tours to extensive 11 day tours. You can spot several wild animals here including

tigers, leopards, and so much more.

For a feel of the pulse of the nation, take a ride in the Mumbai local train. And if you are brave-hearted enough, consider taking a ride in the Mumbai local train during the peak rush hours. You get to hear all kinds of discussions while in the Mumbai locals- from politics to economy and sports- people share their opinion

about everything. But the biggest wonder of the journey is how the people survive the journey, clinging on to the barest of metal pieces they can get their hands on. Don’t worry about getting in or getting out- the crowd will help you

with that ;)

Goa is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Known for its sprawling beaches, the state is blessed with many beaches that serve as a holiday

picnic spot for adventures, honeymooners and general tourists alike. Bright lights and people masqueraded as Santa signify the coming of the Christmas party and New Year.Take a tour of the old churches in Goa, which give a peek into the rich cultural past of the land, The churches date back to the time when Portuguese ruled the land. Some

of them have an interesting story behind them, while others have beautiful architecture to be marveled at. Some of the must visits one when in Goa are Basilica

of Bom Jesus, Mary Immaculate Conception and Se Cathedral.

Houseboats in Dal Lake, Srinagar are a mesmerizing experience. The ones in Kerala are not too far behind either. While a house boat in Kerala may lack in luxurious decor, it more than makes up for it with the serenity that surrounds it. Staying amidst dense foliage, with the most personalized service is exactly

the kind of break you need from the stressed routines of today.

Cricket is to India like what football is to Brazil. People do not need parks or stadiums to play a game of cricket. All they need is an empty street corner

and it is game on. Play a game of street cricket in India, with its peculiar rules and dollops of excitement. Watch out- one-tip(bounce)-one-hand is out!

.

• Check out: 101 Things to Do in India!

http://discover.aiesec.in/about-india/things-to-do-in-india/

• Calculate and compare the difference of the cost of living from your home LC to your host LC check out www.numbeo.com

• A list of general emergency helpline numbers across the country: Click here

• To know the weather and time in any city http://www.timeanddate.com/

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To give you a picture of the different types across the country or even city! Trying to write this document we found ourselves struggling to provide a comprehensive representation of accommodation as it varies tremendously from region to region, LC (local committee) to LC, project to project! There is no “one size fits all” guide for accommodation in India and therefore the responsibility of clearly knowing what you are to be expecting upon arrival should be of your utmost priority. Even if it is outlined on your TN form, it is strongly advisable that you contact your respective TN manager, EP buddy or training partner and get a complete set of information given to you prior to your arrival. We personally feel that the more clarity you have about your housing situation, then the better prepared you will be to deal with all of the other factors involved with living and working in a new country!

Make sure you are checking the following with your TN Manager regarding accommodation:

EPs per room

Kitchen Facilities

Internet facility

Washing Facilities

Sleeping space

Distance of accommodation from area of work

Having a few key things in place before you leave is essential, the main one being research into the project or field of study! Although many of you may feel that because you study the subject you may be working in, do you know the local realities that may face the organisation, or even what the culture of the business may be?

As mentioned before, another key point you should try to ascertain from your TN manager is the distance to work from your accommodation. You should try and prepare yourself so you have a better idea of what you will have to travel every day. In addition you may need to budget for this.

The start and end date of your project are also very important topics. According to the AIESEC GCDP Delivery Model, the first week of your project with mostly include settling into the local and national culture, getting accustomed to the food and find your bearings in the new environment.

Bear the following points in mind, and be sure to clear them with your TN Manager:

Information and background about the organization you are going to work with. This will enable you to research about the issue you are going to be working on.

Distance of work from accommodation

Start and end date of the project, including the incubation period.

About other EPs you are going to work with (Be excited!)

Measurable results and expected outcome from your working in the project

When during, before or after the project can you take time off to explore the country

Is any additional preparation required, such as carrying a laptop etc.

Clear who will be meeting you ,where, at what time, have their numbers, EB contact list. Accommodation details –address, directions, just in case there is an emergency and you need to get to the hotel, EP flat.

Keep your Dollars handy, you can convert a portion of them upon arrival. Ask AIESECers about currency exchange centers in the city that might give you better value for your money, after you have settled in.

Confirm the identity of the TN manager upon pick up, and if this has been outsourced to a taxi firm, make sure you have their number and name, and then ring the TN manager and confirm your pick up

Make sure you are clear with the following details before you arrive into India, if not contact your TN manager for the same:

Contact details of the person who is going to pick you up If you are travelling between cities (Example: Your flight lands at Mumbai and you

have to go to Surat) please make sure that there is a reservation for you in the next flight, or train, or cab for the journey onward.

Tatkal Tickets (Emergency Reservation) for trains are available for booking only 1 day before the train journey and get sold out pretty quickly. If your host LC is doing the booking for you, make sure you receive the ticket in your email AND the SMS on your mobile phone.

Confirming with the TN manager about a back up plan to reach the accommodation, in case your pick-up does not turn up (It’s better to be safe than sorry!)

“Regional differences can lead to extremely different food being served across India, with most cities being lucky enough to contain a lot of the different types!

Whether it be rice based, chapati accompanied, or naan complemented, most meals will cost very little but pack a lot of carbohydrates! But what about the stories that say all Indian food is spicy and that Westerners just can’t manage it! To that I say rubbish! I would say that I have a moderately strong stomach but I can manage curries which the locals would call relatively hot, with the help of some sweet Lassi to cool the burn of course!It is true that most of their food is “spicy” but how that term is used in most locations in the world is different to India! Here everything is spiced, whether it be simple breakfast porridge or a little cup of chai (tea as we would call it). I feel it should be said that it would be wise for every person to carry some immodium or equivalent, despite how “strong” your stomach may be! Our bodies are often just not used to breaking down such spices and flavourings and even though you may feel that your mouth can handle the heat, it doesn’t mean that your stomach can!”

-An EP from United Kingdom

Discern – dress appropriately depending on the situation – Indian culture. Check with local realities as it can vary dramatically across India – very important for females more than males – temples, in the evening in cities or just day-to-day in rural areas.

Clothes tend to be very cheap, and good quality. Arrive light and depart packed.

How to wash clothing - bring “travel wash” Carry winter wear to ward off the cold. It tends to get very cold in the north,

becoming warmer as you go south. India tends to be conservative about clothing, dress appropriately but

comfortably Check the local weather online: here

Be sure to take appropriate vaccinations before arrival, you probably don’t want to spend your internship lying in bed.

Malaria pills are available cheaply locally and can be purchased with ease.

Clear out stagnant water in your trainee flat to avoid building up of mosquitoes

Purchase local mosquito repellants, which tend to be effective.

Avoid eating regularly from roadside stalls, ask AIESECers about recommendations.

Keep the details of a physician, hospital and other amenities handy. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep immodium with you

• AIESEC as an organization wants to be better every day and provide the best services possible to the customers.

• For that sake AIESEC International has partnered with Customer Gauge, a customer feedback firm that gives data on Net Promoter Score. NPS is a customer loyalty metric that is based on direct questions. It measures the loyalty that exists between a Provider (AIESEC in this case) and a consumer (the exchange participant in this case) based on the quality of the services given by the provider.

You will receive an email with a survey 3 times during your entire cycle of engagement with

AIESEC. You will receive the first survey as soon as you are matched, the second survey when you are

in the other country on exchange and the third survey when you come back from the internship.

The email will look something like this: <next page>

You can give the ratings as per your experience. Broadly:0-6 means Poor7-8 is Average9 is Good10 is Excellent

• The Exchange participant can keep on giving constant feedback through the survey forms and we can improve our services/ ask the host local committees in other countries to do the same.

• You can open a case through this survey and keep the hosting local committees accountable in case they are not fulfilling any of the promises they made.

• Give us more insights in the quality of services of the AIESEC local chapters all around the world.

AIESEC India has initiated the Exchange + Leadership programto provide stronger leadership experiences to AIESECers andgive them a chance to create greater impact. • XL participants will be allocated leadership positions in the

project are realized in.• You will be leading other interns realized in the project and

will be working closely with AIESEC project management team.

• The objective of the role would be to ensure all interns have a good experience and the project creates strong impact.

• The XL will also support AIESEC in project management & other support areas.

• If you are shortlisted for the program then you will have to attend the virtual training seminars and do the necessary tasks allocated to you. •Excel program will be conducted only in limited L.Cs of AIESEC India. Hence, its subject to the L.C you are matched to. •If selected as a Team Leader. You will have to comply by AIESEC India guidelines given you to during your induction. •On completion of the project you will be certified by the national office of AIESEC India. •For any queries regarding excel program please contact:adhiraj.singh@aiesec.net

It is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are

suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.

During your internship you may experience culture shock. This feeling can come due to different reasons related unfamiliar environment. However, you need to take the initiative to adjust in the environment and find solutions to your challenges. By doing this you undergo, the phase of experiential entrepreneurial development. Through is phase you will learn and develop skills that make your mindset entrepreneurial .Hence, you will become capable to work effectively in any situation and take newer initiatives.

Culture Shock

“When going through a culture shock – keep going.”

You can go to our online platform to know about stories of culture shock and share your story.It’s really simple to join, share stories and search for trip inspiration. You can explore the world by country or by experience: whether you’re wondering what you can do in China or curious about what life is like in Cambodia. If you are a traveler, make your trip last long and share your stories. If you’re looking for inspiration, discover the world at your fingertips. Visit culture-shock.me today!

culture-shock.me

Activities suggested to track your own experience:

Keep uploading your experience in the AIESEC culture shock website so that we keep on publishing it at different places from time to time. The address of the website: http://www.culture-shock.me

Create videos and document your experience.

Submit them here (https://podio.com/webforms/4996017/484213) to help us make you famous through our PR partners.

You can document your experience in this format: http://bit.ly/expreport.

Talk to your home local chapter at least once during your internship.Fill the Net Promoter score.

Be super active in facebook/ other social media channls and tell the world how you are making a difference.

Kanika KhannaDirector iGCDP

AIESEC India

Mobile: +91 9619421392kanikakhanna.aiesec@gmail.com

kanika.khanna@aiesec.net

Adhiraj SinghVP GCDP

AIESEC India

+91 7506047331adhiraj.singh@aiesec.net