FAQ

Accommodation
The accommodation in India is of a very high standard. Students will stay in a hotel of a high tourist standard in the centre of Cochin that is very close to local amenities (i.e. internet cafes, shops, laundry facilities, etc.).The details of the hotel are as follows Students are accommodated with one other student of the same sex, depending on the time of year and how busy we are. If you want to be accommodated alone, we can organize this, but you will be subject to a surplus charge. Medics Away is considering purchasing a house in Cochin to accommodate students. We will keep you posted as to whether we decide to do this or not.
Accommodation : What is it like?
Students will stay in a hotel of a high tourist standard in the centre of Cochin that is very close to local amenities (i.e. internet cafes, shops, laundry facilities, etc.) and the hospital. We have always put students in this hotel and the staff there are very accommodating. Rather than convert the location into having a house, which is the obvious thing to do, Medics Away has decided to maintain students in the hotel as it provides a comfortable location to relax in after a busy day in the hospital. During the Discovery Trip, students have the chance to stay in our Representatives private holiday home in Kannur that has its own chef and is near a satelite hospital. Therefore the elective gives you the best of both worlds: a City life with a hotel & a Rural seaside location with a private home.
Anti-Malarials : Do we need them?
For India we recommend you take anti-malarials. These are more than likely to be available in India itself but medication is probably more reliable from your own pharmacist or community doctor (i.e. G.P.). Please be aware that anti-malarials only mask the symptoms of malaria and in some respects, having the symptoms of malaria makes diagnosis and treatment much more easy and effective. The Medics Away Reps have never taken anti-malarials in all the time they have lived there because of that fact. When travelling to any of the elective locations, Medics Away UK based staff also never take anti-malarilals, but this is not our policy for customers of the company, for obvious reasons.
Flights : Can you recommend any Airline Companies for India?
There are a lot of different airlines flying to Cochin, and students in the past have flown with almost all that are available. The airlines that pop up the most are Qatar Airlines and Jet Airways, so perhaps start with these. Otherwise you can look into flights with Sri Lankan Airlines, Emirates and Air India. You will probably find that airlines will compete with each other for prices, so do check all of these airlines to find the best deal. If you happen to find a really good deal that our other students may be keen to hear about, then please do let us know so that we can pass this information on.
Hospital : Which Hospital will I be Placed in?
Generally speaking, all students will be attached to the Medical Trust in Cochin, unless they specifically ask for Thrissur or Kannur. The location with the most significant infrastructure, the biggest hospital, substantial accommodation and the nearest to our MA Rep and airport, is Cochin. So it is the obvious choice for the 'Generic' MA India elective location. We will probably convert the other two hospitals into Satelite Hospitals for elective extras. These will be sutiable for those students who do two month electives and when we have too many students in one destination to cope with demand.
Language : Will it be a problem?
English is pretty widely spoken, but a lot of consutlations in the hospital will be in the local dialect and language. Most doctors speak fairly good English and you may even be with other local medical students, both will be able to help communicate with non-English speakers.
Language : Will the language barrier pose a problem?
English is fairly widely spoken, but a lot of consultations in the hospital will be in the local dialect and language. Most doctors speak fairly good English and you may even be with other local medical students, both will be able to help communicate with non-English speakers.
Vaccinations : Do I need Japanese & Rabies jabs?
It is entirely up to you whether you take the precautions of Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies. I would recommend you do, as a lot of our students do have these vaccines. Personally, the Medics Away team have all the vaccines as we travel a lot and it's just safer that way. I do however not bother with Malaiia prophylaxis with many destinations, but that is through personal choice and we would not recommend this for travelling students.
Vaccinations : Do we need Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies vaccinations?
It is entirely up to you whether you take the precautions of Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies. I would recommend you do, as a lot of our students do have these vaccines. Personally, I have all the vaccines as I travel a lot and it's just safer that way. I do however not bother with Malaria prophylaxis with many destinations, but this isn't really relevant for India.
Visa : Do I need to special visa for an elective in India?
Please do not apply for anything but a Tourist Visa (i.e. Do Not Apply for either a Working Visa or a Students Visa). If you do, you will cause yourself a lot of trouble and you will probably not qualify for either working or student visas anyway. Do not even mention doing a medical elective to the Indian High Commission, their policy and response to students who have mentioned has been varied if not inconsistent. No student of Medics Away has ever needed anything but a tourist visa and all students travelling with Medics Away will be doing the same. The hospital does not require you to have anything but a tourist visa either. Your trip to India is for recreational purposes with some medical experience in between. Tell the High Commission you are going on holiday and that is all.
Visa : What visa do I need for this elective?
Please do not apply for anything but a Tourist Visa (i.e. Do Not Apply for either a Working Visa or a Students Visa). These can be obtained from the Indian High Commission of which there are three in the UK (London, Birmingham and Edinburgh). Visas are generally issued in person on the same day or can take up to 2 weeks if you are mailing them your passport. Your trip to India is for recreational purposes with some medical experience in between. More details and assistance on how to obtain the visa is given on making a reservation.
Weather : How will the weather affect the Elective & Discovery Trips?
Cochin between June and August can have quite heavy rainfall and it is also quite hot. This certainly will not interrupt your experience on your elective; in fact it is a unique experience that may certainly enhance your understanding of the people living in this region of the world. Obviously the weather limit the sunbathing opportunity when heading to the beach, but it will not interfere with any of the organised Discovery Trips included with the elective package.
Weather : What are the seasons and how do they affect the Elective & Discovery Trips?
Cochin between June and August can have quite heavy rainfall and it is also quite hot. This certainly will not interrupt your experience on your elective. Infact, it is a unique experience that may certainly enhance your understanding of the people living in this region of the world. Obviously the weather may limit the sunbathing opportunity when heading to the beach, but it will not interfere with any of the organised Discovery Trips included with the elective package.