Internship Feedback

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Petr Elsner, Masaryk University,

ročník 5

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Field of study

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Field of internship

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Specialization of Internship

Molecular Biology

Internship period (from - to)

2.8.2015 - 31.10.2015

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

10500,- CZK / ~380 €

Insurance/Insurance company

AXA assistance, 2250,- CZK / ~80 €

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Yes, Student Visa

Price of Visa

1650,- CZK / ~60 €

City of Internship

India, Coimbatore, Karunya

Internship reference number

IN-2015-0303KU

About the country

Location of the place

Karunya University is located approximately 30 km from Coimbatore. It takes about 1,5h (if you are lucky to get a bus:) to reach Coimbatore or vice versa. Karunya itself is small university village/town with plenty of small street shops, where you can get all basic stuff you need. For all other stuff, there is department store in Alandurai (8km away) or Spar supermarket in Coimbatore.

City

There is nothing more than university itself and few street shops in Karunya, so it's all nice, rural and quiet. And because of that you might feel little bit isolated, which can be good or bad, depending on what kind of personality you are.
Coimbatore has much more possibilities what to do, but you need to leave Karunya at least 3-4 hours in advance if you wanna go see a movie for example.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Travel! It was hard, but it was worth it. I spent almost every weekend by travelling around. But prepare yourself that its better to plan weeks ahead, wake up in early mornings, not to sleep, spend 4-11 hours in train/bus/plane etc. I travelled a lot and I did not limit myself only to closest destinations. Possible trips? Go anywhere in India, dont limit yourself. Anything is possible:)

Employer

Karunya University is christian university and that means there are some rules. But not so many for international students.
It depends on your project guide a lot. Some of them are more relaxed and some of them are quite strict.

Work description

I had a chance to participate on few different projects from plant biology, microbiology and molecular biology.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

Stipend was not sufficient to cover accommodation and food. I had to pay extra for food every month (500-1000 Rs.) If you want to travel, buy another food or anything else, you better have some savings with you.

Language requirements

English, everyone speaks fluent english at Karunya University.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

Accommodation was provided by employer/university in university campus. It was A/C double room with bathroom for 5000 Rs./month.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

The IAESTE members arranged pick-up at the airport. I participated only in one organised event and that was The International Evening. IAESTE organised trips and some other events as well.

Meeting other foreign students

We all shared the accommodation together. There were around different 15 interns at the same time. And there was always a chance to meet another foreign students by participating in IAESTE events too.

Sport and culture

Plenty of choices, visit http://www.karunya.edu/ped/index.html for more info.

Food, local specialties

Well, honestly...Food was a problem. If you want to stay for few weeks, you will make it. But if you want to stay for few months (as I did) you will struggle. Choices are very limited, it was only like 4 different meals (chicken with 4 different sauces) for lunch and 4 different ones for dinner...over and over...

Luckily, you have two another choices, cook for yourself or go the restaurants nearby.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

Good, there is university wifi and you can use mobile internet for very good price as well.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Its better to plan everything in advance, from visa, vaccines, your project and mostly your trips. To be sure everything is ok and to save yourself a lot of money and energy..)

What not to forget with you

Smartphone and your credit/debit card.)

Benefits of the internship

So many benefits on so many levels I cant even describe. If you think about going, just go...Seriously, you will learn so many things and not only at work, but also about different culture and mostly about yourself.