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Preparations

Flights

• You will fly in and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi, India.
• You will likely have an international layover. Give yourself at least 2 hours between flights in order to clear customs & make your way to another terminal.
• You will likely be taking a red-eye flight.  Consider the following items to make yourself more comfortable:  compression socks; neck pillow; sturdy earplugs like Max (silly putty); eye mask; ear buds/headphones for movies.
• You can fly any airline you like but please plan to arrive anytime before 9:00 p.m. on February 23, 2019. Airport transfers will be pre-arranged to take you from the airport to our home base in New Delhi. You can depart anytime on or after March 9, 2019. We will arrange airport transfer for anyone departing on March 9. If you plan to stay longer in India, you will need to book and pay for your own airport transfer.
• The typical participant will need approximately $1000 to $1300 for the round trip flight to India.
• Many previous participants have been donated airline miles to help offset flight costs.

Airport Pickup

• Please bring a copy of the Travel Contact and Emergency Information Sheet (provided by AFC closer to your departure date) in your carry-on luggage.  (Pro Tip:  Take a photo of it on your phone!)  This sheet lists the contact information for you to call in case of delays or emergencies.
• You will meet your driver in the greeting area outside of customs.  They will be holding a sign with your name.

Passport & Visa

• Citizens of the United States and Canada require a Tourist Visa to travel to India.
  • Please refer to the State Department’s website regarding U.S. citizen’s travel to India
• You must have a valid passport and at least (2) two blank visa pages in your passport to enter the country.
• You should also ensure that your passport does not expire within the six (6) months following your return.

 Medical

All participants are responsible for informing FCAF/SEE of any physical or medical conditions through the mandatory Medical Form and Addendum. You will receive this form shortly and it must be completed by your oncologist or primary health care provider and submitted back to us by November 30, 2018.

• No vaccinations are required for travel to India, although some are recommended.
• We recommend checking out the CDC travel page for India to see what is advised and making an appointment with a personal physician or travel doctor to see what they recommend for you specifically.  The CDC recommends Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccines for most travelers, although these are not required.
• We will send information to all participants about travel medical insurance coverage (included in your Program Fee) once we have confirmed all details with our insurance partner.

Packing Guide

• February-March is the end of winter in India.  Winters there are mild and warm, with temperatures averaging in the 70’s.  This pleasant weather makes it an excellent time to visit, as opposed to the hot summers.

Clothes:

• Layers!  Comfortable, loose, modest, basic – nothing low cut or see-thru, nothing that screams privilege
• For your volunteer placement:  t-shirts, long shorts, skirts (knee-length and below), capris, jeans, and long pants/trousers.
• WOMEN: You will have the opportunity to purchase simple India outfits to be worn to your placement as well as a scarf to cover your head when we visit a mosque and temple as part of our cultural activities
• Active wear – clothes you can easily move in and good walking shoes!
• A few nicer outfits for evenings out to dinner or exploring city nightlife
• Closed toed shoes to wear for volunteering and city-exploring
• Some long pants and sweaters for possibly chillier evenings
• Slippers and warm pajamas
• Raincoat just in case
• Hat

Things:

• Journal
• Refillable water bottle
• Sun Screen
• Bug Spray
• Hand sanitizer & travel pack of tissues
• Granola bars or other snacks
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Personal hygiene items
• Backpack/sling purse to carry water bottle, tissues, and hand sanitizer to work assignment
• Weekend bag (could be your carry-on)
• Luggage lock
• Medications (please make sure they are in their original prescription bottles)
• Plug adapter (and converter, if you bring an electronic device that does not operate on dual voltage).  Electricity in India is 220 Volts and outlets fit plugs with two or three round pins.  Please refer to this page for more information.
• Copy of passport and visa, kept in a separate location from your actual passport

What NOT to bring:

• Valuables – only bring a laptop if you have a true need
• Linens

Remember – PACK LIGHT.  Laundry facilities are inexpensive and close to the guest house.  In addition, you will have access to all basic necessities in New Delhi.