First time traveller - g'day!

linkety · Apr 19th, 2009, 13:49

Hi all! I am a 22 year old Australian and have never traveled before. I just bought myself a ticket to Delhi and will be in India from early August to mid November.

My main motivation for travelling to India is to volunteer - also something I have never done before. I'm currently undertaking a TEFL course so that I have a real skill to bring with me.

I'm also trying to learn basic Hindi, so far just from instructional YouTube videos - haha. But I'd like to find a tutor or some intensive classes soon.

I've been using this site for information about everything from visas to sensible shoes to general advice for first-timers. I will also probably use it extensively in my search for a suitable volunteer organisation. It's been an incredible resource so far and I am grateful to every single person who posts advice. You just can't get this kind of support from a book! (Although, I have found the "Rough Guides" India edition to be incredibly valuable - highly recommend it

)

I'd also be interested in finding some groups to do cheap tours with, and also some light trekking at some point.

As for me, I am an avid photographer and vegetarian and love most things in life (music, reading, film etc.). I am looking forward to meeting lots of new lovely people

Thanks for reading!

Jessica

mridula · Apr 19th, 2009, 13:59

Jessica being a vegetarian is plus in India. You will have no problem on that count. Wishing you a wonderful trip and many more replies.

Indojingai · Apr 19th, 2009, 15:31

Happy travels.

But I've gotta tell ya, India as the first travel may mostly be a I-wish-I-hadn't experience.

Have you seen Indonesia/Bali? Many Aussies do that ...

Indians love to be on photos and eat (anything except cows) so you'll be okay.

Last one, you'll need to be more familiar with the Indian head wobble than Hindi on your first visit.

sarah&adrian · Apr 19th, 2009, 15:45

Hey Jessica,

You might want to check out i-to-i, its a volunteer coordination agency on the net. maybe don't book with them but they might be a good place to do some research? Having travelled quite extensively through SE Asia the biggest bit of advice I can give you is take baby wipes!!! They are the single most handy thing I've ever packed. also be prepared for big differences in culture and ways of living....as long as you're prepared to be totally out of you're comfort zone you'll be just fine

have a great trip!!!

Sarah

vonkla · Apr 19th, 2009, 16:08

We stayed several times in Jodhpur as tourist in a small guesthouse. The owner als runs a project to help women and girls.
For more info see
http://www.independentvolunteer.org/...ambhaliSociety

Kingstonian · Apr 19th, 2009, 16:13

Hi Linkety - welcome to IM

Sounds like you have some great plans - happy travels!

jituyadav · Apr 19th, 2009, 16:49

Welcome linkety
Interesting thing is that most organisations charge some amount for volunteering too! You can Google and find good options and if I find something, will post it here.
There are many options available for travelling in any budget so that should not be a problem especially as the peak season will be off. Just keep on posting whatever specific info you require and IMers will do the best to make things easy for you. All the best

linkety · Apr 19th, 2009, 16:51

Quote:

But I've gotta tell ya, India as the first travel may mostly be a I-wish-I-hadn't experience.

Haha, I have heard this a lot. I'm definitely seeking the challenge and am prepared to be totally overwhelmed or even miserable. I'm going to take it easy at first and am expecting a massive culture shock.

Quote:

you'll need to be more familiar with the Indian head wobble than Hindi on your first visit.

I'll give that one a practice!

Sarah, thanks for the tip about i-to-i. I actually booked my TEFL course through them and they seem like a great organisation. I am trying to avoid the "voluntourism" organisations though, as I've heard that they often use your money for their own benefit rather than to really make a difference in the communities. It's definitely been a great starting point though and has given me lots of ideas. Also, I'll remember the tip about the baby wipes! Thanks!

vonkla - thank you for the link! I have heard of the Sambhali Trust and it's great to hear somebody else recommend the project. I will look into it further

linkety · Apr 19th, 2009, 16:52

jituyadav, thank you for the warm welcome

I will no doubt be posting many questions soon!

jituyadav · Apr 19th, 2009, 20:32

http://www.cohenfi.org. I placed this link on another post too and hope it helps.

sammytoindia · Jul 26th, 2009, 14:34

Hi,

I'm the aussie guy from London, I'm hooking up with my aussie mate and his friend who is already out there.. so if you want to hang out with some well travelled aussie guys let me know.

look me up on Sam Peter B on FB / London and we can chat more.

Sam

linkety · Jul 26th, 2009, 20:47

Hi Sammy, thanks for the kind offer. I will let you know, if I decide to find some travel buddies

just taking things as they come!

Jessica

sammytoindia · Aug 4th, 2009, 04:47

cool banana's

Apr 19th, 2009, 13:49	#1
linkety Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 29	First time traveller - g'day! Hi all! I am a 22 year old Australian and have never traveled before. I just bought myself a ticket to Delhi and will be in India from early August to mid November. My main motivation for travelling to India is to volunteer - also something I have never done before. I'm currently undertaking a TEFL course so that I have a real skill to bring with me. I'm also trying to learn basic Hindi, so far just from instructional YouTube videos - haha. But I'd like to find a tutor or some intensive classes soon. I've been using this site for information about everything from visas to sensible shoes to general advice for first-timers. I will also probably use it extensively in my search for a suitable volunteer organisation. It's been an incredible resource so far and I am grateful to every single person who posts advice. You just can't get this kind of support from a book! (Although, I have found the "Rough Guides" India edition to be incredibly valuable - highly recommend it ) I'd also be interested in finding some groups to do cheap tours with, and also some light trekking at some point. As for me, I am an avid photographer and vegetarian and love most things in life (music, reading, film etc.). I am looking forward to meeting lots of new lovely people Thanks for reading! Jessica

Apr 19th, 2009, 13:59	#2
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 2,587	Jessica being a vegetarian is plus in India. You will have no problem on that count. Wishing you a wonderful trip and many more replies. __________________ Mridula Travel Tales from India

Apr 19th, 2009, 15:31	#3
Indojingai One in a billion member. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,074	Happy travels. But I've gotta tell ya, India as the first travel may mostly be a I-wish-I-hadn't experience. Have you seen Indonesia/Bali? Many Aussies do that ... Indians love to be on photos and eat (anything except cows) so you'll be okay. Last one, you'll need to be more familiar with the Indian head wobble than Hindi on your first visit. __________________ I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

Apr 19th, 2009, 16:08	#5
vonkla Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 562	We stayed several times in Jodhpur as tourist in a small guesthouse. The owner als runs a project to help women and girls. For more info see http://www.independentvolunteer.org/...ambhaliSociety __________________ . See our travel journals Mumbai-Dehli in three months; From Kochi to Delhi

Jul 26th, 2009, 14:34	#11
sammytoindia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 15	Sammy Hi, I'm the aussie guy from London, I'm hooking up with my aussie mate and his friend who is already out there.. so if you want to hang out with some well travelled aussie guys let me know. look me up on Sam Peter B on FB / London and we can chat more. Sam

Apr 19th, 2009, 15:45	#4
sarah&adrian Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 3	Hey Jessica, You might want to check out i-to-i, its a volunteer coordination agency on the net. maybe don't book with them but they might be a good place to do some research? Having travelled quite extensively through SE Asia the biggest bit of advice I can give you is take baby wipes!!! They are the single most handy thing I've ever packed. also be prepared for big differences in culture and ways of living....as long as you're prepared to be totally out of you're comfort zone you'll be just fine have a great trip!!! Sarah

Apr 19th, 2009, 16:13	#6
Kingstonian Still lurking Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,118	Hi Linkety - welcome to IM Sounds like you have some great plans - happy travels!

Apr 19th, 2009, 16:49	#7
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Welcome linkety Interesting thing is that most organisations charge some amount for volunteering too! You can Google and find good options and if I find something, will post it here. There are many options available for travelling in any budget so that should not be a problem especially as the peak season will be off. Just keep on posting whatever specific info you require and IMers will do the best to make things easy for you. All the best

Apr 19th, 2009, 16:52	#9
linkety Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 29	jituyadav, thank you for the warm welcome I will no doubt be posting many questions soon!

Apr 19th, 2009, 20:32	#10
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	http://www.cohenfi.org. I placed this link on another post too and hope it helps.

Jul 26th, 2009, 20:47	#12
linkety Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 29	Hi Sammy, thanks for the kind offer. I will let you know, if I decide to find some travel buddies just taking things as they come! Jessica

Aug 4th, 2009, 04:47	#13
sammytoindia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 15	cool banana's

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