How do I explain living in India to my parents?

happytraveler · Oct 20th, 2005, 00:58

I don't really know where to turn and I thought if anyone could help, it would be the wonderful people here on IndiaMike! I traveled alone for a month this summer through India and I have to say it really changed my life. I have always wanted to live abroad long-term (I have constantly been traveling but never was abroad for more than a couple of months) and I am planning on volunteering in Dharamsala for the better part of next year and then hopefully keeping the journey going wherever it leads... however, my parents are extremely worried about my health and well being and I wonder if anyone has any advice as to how to ease their concerns. Of course, I will have traveler's insurance and take sensible precautions but obviously living standards and medical care in India are quite different than what they are used to here in the US. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

shanthi · Oct 20th, 2005, 01:20

Welcome to IndiaMike and welcome to India! For one, I find that healthcare in India is great!, it's also very cheap. Doctors (IMHO) are pleasant and respectful and dignified (better than in Ireland, in MANY respects, at least)! Almost all of us here on IndiaMike can understand the feelings that you have about India - she gets some people like that, and there aint no shrugging her off once she's at you. I think it's a marvellous idea that you want to spend about a year doing volunteer work. I guess in the States you'll be luckier than us poor old Brits, in that you can get a longer visa, BUT don't forget, even if you get a longer visa, you'll still have to leave India after each 6 months but come back in again in a day or so, and with a multiple entry visa you'll be fine and dandy. I really should not worry about medical care in India - you can go to any doctor you wish to and any hospital. English is well spoken and you wont have too many problems - just the normal stuff that anyone would have....! You won't be alone for long either - the Indian people are a very accommodating people and great as friends, and willing to help you. You'll also find other travellers along the way who are looking for the same things as you are - following their dreams too....Of course, you still have to watch your back, but no more than in any other country in the world - no more than in the States....if you know what I mean. Just be careful and stay safe - don't put yourself in any positions that you shouldn't and always think about personal safety first.....then there is absolutely NO reason why you shouldn't have a great stay in India.

Your parents will worry of course, but that would be the same if you went to live on the other side of the States, not just India. They don't want to lose their daughter to ANY place......they want you to stay their little girl and stay with them. Just be gentle with them, but firm. They will understand in the end and they will have to accept that you are your own person who has a path that she must also follow....God bless and good luck to you

hollow · Oct 20th, 2005, 02:23

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...98_page4.shtml

I saw that on 60 min. I was wondering if for medical needs you could go there? It's in India.

davey · Oct 20th, 2005, 02:23

Get them to join this site and tell them to read as much info as they can.

john.sw · Oct 20th, 2005, 02:30

Invite them to visit you in India.

Then they can see for themselves how you're getting on and they won't worry about you so much.

If they don't want to join you, then they're probably not too concerned anyway!

Buy a mobile phone in India so they can call you when they're worried.

Health care in India is superb if you can pay for it, and you'll have all the right insurance.

Don't worry - You are doing the right thing because you believe it to be right.

happytraveler · Oct 20th, 2005, 03:12

Thank you to all for your posts. Just the support in having a site like this and people who understand is incredible. Hollow, I found that article really interesting, thanks for posting!

agni5454 · Oct 20th, 2005, 03:18

hey happy,

as far as i know, the general indian market is moving from centralized to more private. when this occurs only improvements can be seen. meaning there will better hospitals, etc.

Apollo Hospital Group is the obvious one that readily comes to my mind. So medicare shouldn't be a problem atall.

as far as other safety concerns, Just use your common and you should be ok. Be on alert in unfamiliar territory just like any other place on the planet; you should be ok.

Indojingai · Oct 20th, 2005, 03:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by happytraveler

however, my parents are extremely worried about my health and well being and I wonder if anyone has any advice as to how to ease their concerns.

- You have great parents that worry for you.
- If this is your first travel to developing world, they're right in worrying.
- Show them the list of 25 or so shots you'll have to take.
- If you stay langer than a week, you'll get the runs and food poisoning.(sad but true)
- Eat very old food in your home to build up immunity. (only half joking.)

Good luck!

john.sw · Oct 20th, 2005, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indojingai

- Show them the list of 25 or so shots you'll have to take.
- If you stay langer than a week, you'll get the runs and food poisoning.(sad but true)

25 shots = Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Diptheria/Tetanus?

What are the other 21 shots you have to take?

I have spent over 4 months this year in India and have never had the runs or food poisoning.

Are you deliberately trying to frighten people?

Indojingai · Oct 20th, 2005, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by john.sw

25 shots = Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Diptheria/Tetanus?

What are the other 21 shots you have to take?

I have spent over 4 months this year in India and have never had the runs or food poisoning.

Are you deliberately trying to frighten people?

- Sir/M'am: Was you're doctor Indian?
- Things are different on the western side of the planet.

"Are you deliberately trying to frighten people?"
- If you want to say so, I wouldnt stop you.

FirstTimer · Oct 20th, 2005, 04:56

Hey happy, on a more practical note - when I traveled I made a travel insurance with an emergency private plane option - in case you are sick. It worked great as a valium for my parents and cost me only $8 through the american express card travel insurance

Also - pictures from my trip really convinced my parents that it is an amazing place and they saw how happy I looked while there - as soon as I know that's what important for our parents, that we will be happy, no?

I think it's a great decision and it seems like you are doing the right thing - don't make other people's worries (even though they are your parents) to influence you.

Have a great day there on the other coast

Oct 20th, 2005, 00:58	#1
happytraveler Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 45	How do I explain living in India to my parents? I don't really know where to turn and I thought if anyone could help, it would be the wonderful people here on IndiaMike! I traveled alone for a month this summer through India and I have to say it really changed my life. I have always wanted to live abroad long-term (I have constantly been traveling but never was abroad for more than a couple of months) and I am planning on volunteering in Dharamsala for the better part of next year and then hopefully keeping the journey going wherever it leads... however, my parents are extremely worried about my health and well being and I wonder if anyone has any advice as to how to ease their concerns. Of course, I will have traveler's insurance and take sensible precautions but obviously living standards and medical care in India are quite different than what they are used to here in the US. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oct 20th, 2005, 02:30	#5
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	Invite them to visit you in India. Then they can see for themselves how you're getting on and they won't worry about you so much. If they don't want to join you, then they're probably not too concerned anyway! Buy a mobile phone in India so they can call you when they're worried. Health care in India is superb if you can pay for it, and you'll have all the right insurance. Don't worry - You are doing the right thing because you believe it to be right. __________________ www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Oct 20th, 2005, 03:12	#6
happytraveler Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 45	Thanks for your support! Thank you to all for your posts. Just the support in having a site like this and people who understand is incredible. Hollow, I found that article really interesting, thanks for posting!

Oct 20th, 2005, 03:18	#7
agni5454 Mr. 200 ...and counting. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA, US Posts: 538	hey happy, as far as i know, the general indian market is moving from centralized to more private. when this occurs only improvements can be seen. meaning there will better hospitals, etc. Apollo Hospital Group is the obvious one that readily comes to my mind. So medicare shouldn't be a problem atall. as far as other safety concerns, Just use your common and you should be ok. Be on alert in unfamiliar territory just like any other place on the planet; you should be ok. __________________ "Human Life without happiness or hope of happiness is not a life, but rather a death in life" - David Swenson The Dignity of Human Life "History is always a perspective; but numbers never lie"

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Oct 20th, 2005, 01:20	#2
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Welcome to IndiaMike and welcome to India! For one, I find that healthcare in India is great!, it's also very cheap. Doctors (IMHO) are pleasant and respectful and dignified (better than in Ireland, in MANY respects, at least)! Almost all of us here on IndiaMike can understand the feelings that you have about India - she gets some people like that, and there aint no shrugging her off once she's at you. I think it's a marvellous idea that you want to spend about a year doing volunteer work. I guess in the States you'll be luckier than us poor old Brits, in that you can get a longer visa, BUT don't forget, even if you get a longer visa, you'll still have to leave India after each 6 months but come back in again in a day or so, and with a multiple entry visa you'll be fine and dandy. I really should not worry about medical care in India - you can go to any doctor you wish to and any hospital. English is well spoken and you wont have too many problems - just the normal stuff that anyone would have....! You won't be alone for long either - the Indian people are a very accommodating people and great as friends, and willing to help you. You'll also find other travellers along the way who are looking for the same things as you are - following their dreams too....Of course, you still have to watch your back, but no more than in any other country in the world - no more than in the States....if you know what I mean. Just be careful and stay safe - don't put yourself in any positions that you shouldn't and always think about personal safety first.....then there is absolutely NO reason why you shouldn't have a great stay in India. Your parents will worry of course, but that would be the same if you went to live on the other side of the States, not just India. They don't want to lose their daughter to ANY place......they want you to stay their little girl and stay with them. Just be gentle with them, but firm. They will understand in the end and they will have to accept that you are your own person who has a path that she must also follow....God bless and good luck to you

Oct 20th, 2005, 02:23	#3
hollow Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: tx Posts: 26	http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...98_page4.shtml I saw that on 60 min. I was wondering if for medical needs you could go there? It's in India.

Oct 20th, 2005, 02:23	#4
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	Get them to join this site and tell them to read as much info as they can.

Oct 20th, 2005, 04:56	#11
FirstTimer Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 43	Hey happy, on a more practical note - when I traveled I made a travel insurance with an emergency private plane option - in case you are sick. It worked great as a valium for my parents and cost me only $8 through the american express card travel insurance Also - pictures from my trip really convinced my parents that it is an amazing place and they saw how happy I looked while there - as soon as I know that's what important for our parents, that we will be happy, no? I think it's a great decision and it seems like you are doing the right thing - don't make other people's worries (even though they are your parents) to influence you. Have a great day there on the other coast

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