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Organising Voluntary Projects, Internships and Gap Years since 1994.

INDIA

PHYSIOTHERAPY WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIP IN MADURAI

Join this unique opportunity to work closely with children of varying disabilities on a physiotherapy internship in India. You'll work as an assistant to the existing physiotherapist, helping her treat the children. The centre is dedicated to helping the children obtain the best quality of life possible. They are passionate and enthusiastic and are very eager to share their knowledge and time with you.

This is a great way to observe experts in your field and learn how they work in India and you’ll get a wonderful sense of achievement from helping these great children. The experience you gain will be an excellent entry on your CV or Résumé as well as being invaluable to you in the future.

SUMMARY: THE BASICS

Price: £1,095 for 2 weeks
£150 for each additional week.
Excludes flights. Please see Full Price List & Other Currencies
Duration: From 2 weeks to 12 weeks or longer, subject to visa requirements
Start Dates: All year round, you choose your start and finish dates.
Requirements: Minimum age 17. You don't need any qualifications, but you should have an interest in physiotherapy or studying towards a physiotherapy degree or related subject. You should be self motivated, enthusiastic, show high levels of initiative and be capable of working independently, where necessary, to help you make the most of this wonderful opportunity!
What's included: Arranging your Programme
Full pre-departure support and assistance
Payment Protection insurance
Accommodation and Food (excluding lunch)
Meeting you at the nearest Airport
Transfer to your accommodation
Daily transport to and from your Project
Local in-country team support and backup
24-hr emergency support
Certificate of Completion
What's not included: Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas, Return transfer to the airport.
Who can do this Project? All projects are open to all nationalities and all ages over 17.
Suitable for gap years or those taking a year out, grown-up gappers, career breakers, anyone interested in gaining overseas work experience or an internship for university credit or requirement.
Also suitable for anyone just wanting to study abroad and learn about Physiotherapy practice overseas.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT

  • An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the fascinating Indian culture.
  • New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
  • An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market.
  • And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
BOOK NOW! SEE ALL PROJECTS IN INDIA info@travellersworldwide.com

ANY QUESTIONS?

Please fill in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

We work at two different centres; a school for special needs children and also an exclusive physiotherapy centre that serves the general public and you may get the opportunity to work at both of these centres.

The school where we work with was established in 1970 by Dr and Mrs Mary Thangaraj who believed that every child born into this world, irrespective of the conditions of their birth, has the right to live with self and human dignity. A lot of the children come from very underprivileged families, and so the love and care you can give them is even more important.

The school has recently constructed a large physiotherapy unit with modern equipment. Approximately 180 children attend the school and they also have an early intervention centre for children less than 6 years of age.

Physiotherapy is given to children with cerebral palsy and physical disabilities; intended to strengthen muscle power, improve mobility in the joints and to help reduce pain. The children who attend the physiotherapy unit have a tailor made programme to suit their individual needs. For the younger children, the mother or grandmother will also attend to understand the needs of their child and help them practice these exercises when they are at home.

The physiotherapy lab has some great facilities including balancing bars, treadmills, weights, rowing machine, cycles, parallel bars and Swiss balls. The children also undergo electrotherapy.

You'll work as an assistant to the existing physiotherapist helping her treat the children. The centre is dedicated to helping the children obtain the best quality of life possible. They are passionate and enthusiastic and are very eager to share their knowledge and time with you.

Your supervisor is a qualified physiotherapist and speaks excellent English. The school is looking for people with a background or interest in physiotherapy to assist them with their daily work. You will most likely be asked to assist and shadow the physiotherapist while they work with the children. If you have experience in physiotherapy or are qualified, you will be given a greater degree of hands-on work.

The exclusive physiotherapy centre we work with was established in the year 2000 and serves the general public. Here you will see differing cases, from people born with disabilities, road accident victims and people with sports injuries.

ACCOMMODATION

For a complete Indian experience we arrange for you to stay with one of wonderful host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and not only will be made to feel part of the family, you’ll also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave India and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family.

You may share a room with up to 2 other volunteers and in most of the houses you'll have an en-suite, Western-style bathroom. Most of the showers in our host accommodation are cold water only – however your hosts will boil water for you on request.

All of our host family houses are close together and just a few minutes’ walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town.

FOOD:
Breakfast and dinner will be provided and prepared for you by the family and is mainly local fare allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You will need to make provision for your own lunch.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?
Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

On Arrival, your Introduction to the Country:
When you arrive you will be welcomed by a member of our team who will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to everyone. During your first few days you'll be given an induction so that you can learn about the country and its culture, as well as other useful information, like how to use the transport system, banks, safety issues, tipping, and lots more.

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)


Bollywood Dancing Lessons in India

BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASSES:
Price: £39 for 4-Week dance course (12 hrs), concurrent with your main project. 12 lessons in total (3 x 1-hour lessons a week), excludes transport.

Bollywood dance classes - a fun way of learning some fantastic moves, whilst at the same keep keeping fit! All levels are catered for and the lessons are taken at one of Madurai’s leading dance studios. Three private Bollywood classes per week, each lasting one hour. These will usually be taken in the afternoon but there will be some flexibility, depending on your teacher’s schedule. The course location is only 20 minutes by auto from your accommodation. By the end of the course you will have learnt a dance routine to a whole song from an Indian movie.

Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centres of film production in the world. Bride and Prejudice is typical of the modern day films, with love, romance, singing, flamboyant costumes and hypnotic dancing. The teacher has over 10 years' experience teaching Bollywood Dance and has put on a number of productions in Madurai and around Tamil Nadu.

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Indian Cookery Lessons

INDIAN COOKERY CLASSES:
Prices:
1 Cookery class running concurrently with your project (1 Lesson spread over two days): £38.
A One Month Cookery Course (4 Lessons, one a week): £115

Our cooking classes are held by a local trained cook who currently teaches cooking classes in a school in Madurai. Classes are held after 3.30pm and for one cooking session, 2 days are required. You'll make a total of 8 dishes which will normally consist of a rice or bread dish; a meat and a vegetable dish and a dessert. Vegetarians can choose 2 vegetable dishes each day.

You'll choose your menu beforehand and the teacher will take you shopping to the local market. You'll prepare and eat the first of your 4 dishes and if you have chosen to make idli or dosa, this also needs to be prepared a day in advance. On the following day you will again make 4 dishes of your choice and then enjoy tucking into your sumptuous meal.

If you are interested in discovering more about cooking, we have also arranged for a month of classes where you will attend one session each week for 4 weeks. If food is one of life’s pleasures for you, then this opportunity is not to be missed!

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Tamil Language Lessons

TAMIL LANGUAGE COURSES:

  • 2-Week Tamil course: Price: £40
  • 4-Week Tamil course: Price: £80
  • 8-Week Tamil course: Price: £160
  • 12-Week Tamil course: Price: £240
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Vanakam - Welcome! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn Tamil, the official language of Tamil Nadu with one to one lessons with a private tutor. These language lessons are available to do at the same time as your main project. Learning a little Tamil will enrich your time here immeasurably, enabling you to converse with the locals, order a drink in a restaurant and not forgetting watching all the Tamil dramas on TV!

Your lessons will be individually tailored to your requirements and are conducted at the home of a local retired Lecturer who worked at Madurai Kamaraj University in Madurai for 27 years. Whatever your level/requirements, the teacher is dedicated in helping you achieve your goals. For the 2-Week or longer course, lessons will normally be held Monday to Friday for one hour each day. All you need to take is your own notebook and stationery. Please note that transport to and from the class is not included in the cost.

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Yoga and Meditation Classes

YOGA AND MEDITATION COURSES:
Prices:
2-Week Yoga and Meditation Combined Course: £45
4-Week Yoga and Meditation Combined Course: £90
8-Week Yoga and Meditation Combined Course: £180
Excludes transport.

Meditation is a mind-body practice and you'll learn to relax your body and mind and create a focused awareness to bring you stillness and inner peace. Your lessons will be conducted at the home of a lady teacher who has more than 7 years' experience as a Yoga Practitioner and Trainer. The courses comprise one x 1-hour lesson per day, Monday to Friday only. The 2 week course will consist of the following:

  • Asanas (posture)
  • Pranayama
  • Kriya
  • Meditation

The 4 and 8 week courses will consist of the same as above, but includes Surya Namaskar.

Book Now

Terms and Conditions apply for Add-Ons, please see here.

SEE ALL PROJECTS IN INDIA info@travellersworldwide.com

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LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

INDIA REALLY HAS IT ALL, from the hot sultry deserts of Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal and the majestic Himalayas in the north, to the idyllic palm fringed beaches and ancient temples of the south, plus a multitude of wildlife parks! The way to best enjoy India is to absorb it - the warmth of the people, the beauty, the smells, the food, and the wonderful hospitality!

LOCATION: MADURAI:
Many of our projects are based in the bustling city of Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Madurai is known by many names; ‘Jasmine city’ for the famous jasmine flowers that are cultivated here, ‘the city of Nectar’, Legend tells of a river of nectar that flowed after blessing from Lord Shiva, and the ‘Temple City’.

Madurai really does have a temple or shrine on practically every street but it is most famed for the Sri Meenakshi Sundeswarar Temple. Pilgrims and tourists alike flock to visit the temple and approximately 10,000 visit every day! The temple is named after goddess Meenakshi. It was built in the 17th century and is an enormous structure with 5 outer towers crammed full of idols and animals. The inner courtyard contains another 7 towers, again all highly adorned. It will take your breath away.

Madurai is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. It is full of cultural diversity and life revolves around the awe inspiring Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, awash with pilgrims, market stalls and tourist shops.

Children will stop you on the streets to chat to you and shake your hand and even ask for your autograph! You will be in demand everywhere you go and you’ll feel like a celebrity, such is the warmth of the Indian people. If you’re after an overwhelming experience, then Madurai is a certainty for this!

KERALA:
KERALA has been named ""Gods own Country" by the locals for its stunning scenery, wildlife, beautiful beaches, picture postcard towns and the breaktaking backwaters. It is also the home of Ayurveda medicine, an ancient system using essential oils and vigorous massage to aid medical complaints or just for pampering - a one hour massage is an unforgettably relaxing experience.

Kerala also has one of the best wildlife parks in the country; Periyar. A huge array of activities are on offer, jungle trekking and jeep safari’s which take you off the beaten track in the hope of spotting an elusive tiger although you are more likely to see elephants, boar, monkeys and many species of birds. You can also take an elephant ride, boat ride, visit spice and tea plantations, watch martial arts – it’s an action packed weekend and only 4 hours from Madurai!

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK:

ALIX TOFFIN
French
Physiotherapy Internship in Madurai

I am absolutely loving it here, Anitha is amazing and has made everything very simple and accessible, the apartment is perfect, and I have really enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and getting all the information about madurai from them before they leave. Even though Madurai is quite chaotic and it's very hot here right now, i am really enjoying the city, it's so vibrant and lively, and the people are really amazing and friendly. I've been to the temple and the tailor's market, since I quickly realized it's just nicer to be wearing indian style clothing especially on placement.

I've only been at the Institute and the Physiotherapy Clinic 2 days but already i've had a great first impression. I am doing way more practical work than i thought I would get to do! Straight away both physiotherapists were forward with their knowledge and very much excited about teaching me their trade, and letting me work on their patients.

Thank you so much for all the help you gave me in the past months, because the experience I am having is already unforgettable! Ill be sure to keep you updated as to how I am finding everything, both with the city and my placement.