Internship in Kochi, Kerala

zmoccaccino

Hi!

I'm about to start (in september) an internship in Kochi. I'm looking for any info about the place (especially concerning accomodation actually), or any person who's going to be there between september 2007 and may 2008!
thank you very much for your help!!

kiranlal

internship in which subject?

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federica

Maybe the organization/company of your internship can arrange an accomodation for you? Staying in a hostel would be another option, but be prepared, if you are female they'll lock you early in the evening... as a paying guest it will be similar. But it is easier for females to find a place as paying guest.

2cents

Sites like www.hosteltraveler.com will throw up a few listings when searching for 'Cochin' or 'Kochi' plus there are really cheap options in the heart of the city like Basoto Lodge and Hotel Hakoba much favoured by tourists on a shoe-string budget who wish to stay on a long term basis.However as federica pointed out above it would be best if you can ask the organization you are doing your internship at to arrange for the accommodation too. Since you are going to be staying in Cochin for about 8 months they would be able to rent a house for you; and for less than what you would have to shell out for staying at a decent hostel/lodge. If they can arrange for a place close to the place of work, you can avoid using the public transportation during the rush hour. Using the city buses out here during that time would take some getting used to.

Shaktipalooza

Also, is the internship in old fortCochin itself or the larger, cheaper, not so interesting Ernakulam?

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bosquef

Hello zmoccaccino,

I've been staying in the nearby city of Thrissur for the last eight months. The people I was working with (a few University professors) helped me to find a flat that was for rent in a convenient location near one of their homes. It took a few weeks to find it. My rent is rs. 3500 and I have 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, 2 living rooms, and a bath. If all you wanted was a bedroom with bath, you could probably find one for rs. 1000/month. Actually, Kochi is a bigger city and likely to be more expensive than Thrissur, especially if you are looking at desireable locations (i.e. Fort Cochin or downtown Ernakalaum). Still - I would guess you should be able to rent a flat for less than rs. 5000, or a bedroom for less than rs. 1500. Although a few places will list online or in public places, I found that knowing people was the best way to find a flat. Ask the people you are interning with to help you - the advantage is that you'll likely end up in their neighborhood, so you can join them on the ride to work and avoid the crowded busses.

In Thrissur, furnished flats don't exist. I had to buy stove, bed, refrigerator, chairs, table. The most irritating part of this process was getting a gas connection for my stove. Most of the other things you can probably manage on your own, but you'll definitely need expert (local) assistance if you want to have a LPG stove to cook on.

I chose to live in a flat that was not attached to any home or hostel. I wanted to have the freedom I'm accustomed to in the US of coming and going as I please, especially in the evening or early morning, having guests stay with me (including guests who do not share my gender - which would certainly raise eyebrows of any family I stayed with), having my own kitchen, etc. I'm terrified of the way that many hostel accomodations lock their charges in at night. What if there is a fire? There really isn't a way to escape... The disadvantage is that I'm paying more than I would have for a paying guest or hostel, and that since I'm out most of the day, no one is home. This is both a security problem and a problem for getting any service done at the house. There really are very few homes in Kerala where someone (wife, mother, grandfather, servant, etc) isn't at home all day to guard the house and to deal with any services you require. That said, Kochi being a larger and more sophisticated city, you might find a family with more westernized ways who would understand your different ways.

Fort Cochin is beautiful, but I can imagine that the tourist scene might get old after 8 months. You might be happier in hum-drum suburban Ernakalum, or perhaps somewhere near Fort Cochin but out of the touristy area.

As far as where to stay when you first arrive, there are plenty of cheap hotels in Ernakalum, but you might find it easier to adjust to life here while staying at a somewhat more expensive, tourist-oriented place. I spent my first few nights in Kerala at Chiramel, in the Fort area (and listed in both Lonely Planet and Rough Guides). It is beautiful, and the family that own it are super nice and helpful. When you arrive in September, the Fort will be pretty quiet - it is the off season and you should ask for a hefty discount on your hotel room.

bosquef

chiramelhomestay@yahoo.co.in
Chiramel's email