moving to Dharmsala, gulp help!!!

sunspirt

I am moving to Dharmsala when I gradurate High School. I am hoping in 11 months, what should I tackle first? Anything that I will need several months for? This is extremely overwelming, it's my first time out of the country and out of my parents house

Sama

I am sure other people will come along with advice for you, but you really need to visit India first before you decide to move there.

as an American you can get a 10 year tourist visa, but you must leave India every 180 days. India neither encourages nor makes it easy for foreigners to live there.

while I commend you for wanting to spread your wings at a young age (I moved out when I was 18 and never looked back), with it being your first time overseas AND away from your parents, I suggest you get some life experience first and then some money, not necessarily in that order! unless you have some relatives you can live with in India, then that might be a different story.

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Mountain_Yogi

Thats Nice, I like Dharamshala & Mcleordganj--both are nice places.I was camping in the in the outskirts for a few days.
There would be cultural differances for shure, but nothing like a cultural shock i believe.
I understand its exciting to be in a country for the 1st time. You will find people & culture, lifestyle, there would be differences quite noticeable; you will find lots of people more than you r used to be seeing in States, in big cities you will find it very crowded with people everywhere.
I would say it 4r u to absorb and experience all experience while traveling. It will add different quality to you personality, make you more rich form inside.
India for people is very intruging, You will love it.
So, when do u plan to travel here? You r still quite young..

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camelgirl

I guess you are independently wealthy that you can plan to go to India when you graduate high school. Or are you organizing this with your parents, who will continue to support you there? Do they want you to move to another country that you've never been to and know absolutely nothing about?

I'm afraid, except for an optimistic reply from Mountain Yogi, you will not be getting much of an enthusiastic response from many of us.

If you think India is your future, you should definitely go there first & check it out & then you can plan further.

Get yourself a 10 year tourist visa & then you can go back over & over (leaving at least every 180 days--it's a tourist visa, not an employment/business/etc. visa.

Speaking of Visas, here is the website you will need to get one. www.travisaindia.com

Oh yes, you will need a couple of months to get all your recommended vaccinations! See this website for info. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.aspx

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wonderwomanusa

Why do you want to move to India -- and to Dharmsala? What do you think you will find there?

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Sama

the Dalai Lama, of course!

camelgirl

dzibead

When he's not on one of his many world travels.

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wonderwomanusa

I dunno, Sama; I found him in Bodh Gaya, many years ago! He was a cute little guy in those days.

Sama

now he's a cute little old man....

sunspirt

yes I guess in my heart I am going there to find the dalai lama
I may be young but I found myself "awakend" many years ago. Dharsmala is calling to me. Im responding. In my heart I know the travel will work out. BUt no camal girl I am not weathly (though I wish I was I would hire someone to do this!) but i have the support of my family and the temple I go to. which is enough for me. thank you I will look into the tourist visa! namasta!!!

camelgirl

Do what? Go to India for you?

OK, you are going with the support of your family & temple (Hindu? Buddhist? Jewish?). So they will be paying for your trip. Sounds good! And I guess they will also be arranging things in Dharmsala. So, actually, you don't have much to do other than get your airline ticket, Visa & vaccinations!

You do understand that you will be a tourist & have to leave every 180 days & will not be actually moving there. A tourist visa is not a residency visa. You are unlikely to get a residency visa unless you marry someone who lives there. This could happen!! Who knows what awaits you

Good luck & let us know how it' going.

Sama

unfortunately that won't be enough for you. camelgirl, dzibead, and I have given you honest advice. there is no way you can just move to India on a tourist visa and live there -- you have to leave every 180 days. sorry, but your monk does not speak for the Indian govt.

I would strongly suggest that you visit India first before you even think of moving there. and as dzibead said in another thread, if you are this thin-skinned about advice from multi-trip, experienced India travelers, India is going to kick your butt.

Shivani Skydancer

Hi Sunspirt!
Great that you are moving to Dharamshala - Mcleodganj!! You will love it! I have lived there for one and a half years all up, spread over two visits. The place is very safe, provided you do not go out alone on lonely paths and forest tracks. You will feel very welcomed by the Tibetan community. They are hospitable, humble and friendly people.

You will be able to get almost everything you need in the local shops, even imported groceries and the restaurants are good and cheap. Everything is available to please a westerner, as well as tasty Indian and Tibetan cuisine.

It's easy to make decent friends there. Nothing to worry about

camelgirl

So, you support a teenager, not yet out of high school, in moving to India and becoming an illegal immigrant

If you read this thread, you would realize it has nothing to do with the joys of Dharmsala or the lovely Tibetan community--which we surely would agree with!

But, if you wish to encourage illegal immigration--I have to assume you are either living in India illegally, are married to an Indian or are an Indian.