Moving To Chennai - Feb. 2008

A-Survivor

Greetings - I am a soon-to-be-expat moving to Chennai. I'm really overwhelmed with making this transition. My spouse's company will pretty much take care of most things. I'm just dealing with "letting go" from a fast-stressed paced lifestyle.

I'm recovering from cancer - using alternative methods... and I've been checking for ayuderveric/holistic treatment in the area. I've also got a surgery scheduled for Thursday. We will put our house on the market 3 weeks after that...then mid-February we arrive in Chennai. We have a 10 year old that I understand will attend the American school, and my 20 year old will come as well who is a (struggling) sophmore in college. I wonder show stringent requirements are to get in? She tells me she wants to be an art therapist...I guess they help victims express their trauma/problems through art. Anyway, she has been out of the country twice, Japan and Kenya. Both times within weeks she gets "deathly...maybe I'm exaggerating a little...but violently ill from allergies. I usually have been able to get her stable through holistic methods, (antibiotics just don't really cut it with her). So I'm trying to get her ready and have someone lined up for the first sign of a problem. The girls will come over probably in June.

I'm trying to get everyone "built up" physicaly for the move and found great info here. My husband and I are on probiotics and will start up "Swedish bitters" closer to the time to arrive.

Any recommendations for health maintenance; doctors there that you feel very confident about? I was wondering about what to give a 10 year old as well to boost her system. Should the probiotics be okay as well? How long should you stay on them if you are taking a 2 - 3 year move?

Anybody here work at the U.S. Embassy in Chennai? I've been a court reporter for 19 years. I wondered if I get totally bored with nothing to do if maybe I could transcribe a hearing. Should having a state license to report or formerally having a National license (NCRA) be okay?

Thanks for any insight or info anyone wants to share!
A-Survivor

Nick-H

We have a whole forum section on health matters. Two threads that should particularly interest you are:

Prevention of gastrointestinal infections in India

and

What we learned about allergies in India

There is some controversy, even some strong feelings, but some very useful information in those threads.

You will find homoeopaths here. You will also find practitoners of both Ayurveda (we have an Ayurvedic hospital, I think) and Siddha (about which I know nothing, not even how to spell it .

There are a number of good private hospitals, of which Apollo is the largest and best known.

Most other practical matters of living, shopping, etc in Chennai are dealt with in other threads, but please raise any other specific queries you still have after browsing through them.

One thing I suggest: try to get your husband's company to accommodate you in a hotel or temporary accommodation at least for a few weeks to give you the chance to look around and to see any places that they may have lined up for you. Even the fact that the rent may be whopping in local terms does not guarantee that you will like a place! Obviously some companies are more flexible than others.

I'd also suggest that, at least at first, if it is at all possible, that you do not sell your existing home. Unless you or your husband are Indian or of Indian origin, your visa will depend on his job, for instance, and who, these days, can be 100% sure that a job is for ever?

I do not work, and could not possibly afford a home in two countries --- but it is the one regret that I have about my situation, that I had to sell my London house to make the life that I lead now possible. Even though I did not think so at the time, with hindsight and better management it might have been possible to rent it, thus keeping a valuable asset and providing an income.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

ISN

I am from Chennai, but currently live and work in Minnesota for the past 10 years. Will be happy to answer any questions regarding Chennai, and there are lot of foreigners who have made Chennai as their home so you will get lot of feedback, just post the questions.

Cheers,
ISN

Checkout the following link http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/emplo...rtunities.html

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madan80

firstly - A - welcome to this wonderful city.
Things are not to difficult to get here. Like nick pointed out, there are a lot of great hospitals, Appollo being on of the better known. American Itnernational school is very connveniently located and accessable.
As for your elder daughter- Art therapy is not exactly blooming here. There are some great colleges for Art (JJ College Mumbai, National Institute of Design-Ahmadhabad, etc,.) but you might want to consider letting your daughter complete her college in the US. (Again this is my opinion).
In terms of alternative medicine- you have a LOT of good ones in chennai. Ayurvedic centers, Pranic and Reki centers, Siddha colleges, and some great yoga institutes. It will help you take alternative paths to well-being.

There is one company taht helps ex-pats adjust and settle into their new locations.

I dont know how the Indian visa system works- but you might want to get that checked out, in terms of employability on the current permit. There are a lot of things to be done here, so dont worry about getting bored.

Feel free to get in touch if you need any assistance what so ever.

SAHM

Dear A-survivor,

I'm also a cancer survivor who moved here immediately after treatment. How interesting.

We have children at AISC. Probably will meet up with you there.

Don't know much about probiotics and/or allergies (although we have both!) I do have a good pediatric allergist, US-trained, if you are interested in seeing one.

Get two cars. That's my advice.

Good luck, meet you soon,

Teresa

PS Don't worry about keeping busy, there is lots of stuff to do here. The school is always looking for volunteers.

madan80

The two car suggestion is very pertinent. Travel in chennai would be very convenient if you have a vehicle to do this.

A-survivor - how are the travel plans shaping up?