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PHYSIOTHERAPY WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIPS IN MADURAI, INDIA

A unique opportunity to work closely with children of varying disabilities on our physiotherapy project in India. 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. This is a challenging and rewarding project!

Our Physiotherapy Work Experience placement is based in the delightful bustling town of Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. This historical town is famous for the Meenakshi temple; its 4 outer pillars creating dramatic silhouettes on the skyline at sunset. Adorned with colourful images of gods and goddesses, imaginative creatures and animals, this magnificent temple is the religious centre of attraction and a hive of activity which you won’t want to miss.

SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration Minimum stay 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa requirements
Requirements You don't need any qualifications to do this placement.
Price From £845 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,895 for 12 weeks. Full Price List
What's included Accommodation Food Meeting you at the Airport Transfer to your accommodation Transport to and from your project Full pre-departure support Local in-country team support and backup 24-hr emergency support .
What's not included Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport.
Who can do this Project? All our projects are open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+

Also on this page:

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The institute 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, have 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.

WORK CONTENT
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 qualified in physiotherapy 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 more hands on work.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

  • An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful India and it's fascinating 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!

Requirements: You do not need any qualifications to apply for a physiotherapy placement, although you will need to have an interest in physiotherapy or studying towards a physiotherapy degree or related subject.  We do ask, however, that you are self motivated,  have an abundance of enthusiasm, show high levels of initiative and be capable of working independently, where necessary, to help you make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

  • 1-Week Intensive Tamil Language Course prior to starting your project. Learning a little Tamil will enhance your time in India immeasurably, as you’ll find out things about the culture and the way of life that someone without language skills simply wouldn’t have access to!

  • Tamil Language Lessons with a private tutor taken at the same time as your main project. Courses range in length to suit your needs.

  • Yoga and Medication Lessons: You have the choice of combining the two or focussing on Yoga on its own. These courses vary in length to be done as an optional extra to your main project. Start the day with yoga and meditation – it’ll set you up for the day!

  • Cookery Courses: Cooking is an institution in India. If you’d like to learn how to cook some of the mouth-watering dishes this is the perfect way to do it; you’ll be able to choose from an extensive choice of recipes, visit the market to purchase the fresh produce and then learn how to cook the south Indian style food with your own private chef! Again, this activity runs concurrently with your main project.

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Voluntary projects in Madurai in the south of India





 

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

1-Week Intensive Tamil Course
Tamil Language Lessons
Yoga & Meditation Lessons
Cookery Classes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Feedback
Madurai Gallery
Fun in Madurai Gallery
Indian Travels Gallery

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN INDIA:
Your accommodation could comprise of either staying with a host family or living in a Travellers flat. In either accommodation you may share a room with another Travellers volunteer. The accommodation you’ll be allocated to will depend on which project you’re doing and the number of volunteers there at the same time as you. However, if you have a preference for either a host family or staying in a flat, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Host Family
For a complete Indian experience we can 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 one other volunteer; and you may 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.

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. Our staff in Madurai also lives close-by.

All your meals will be provided and prepared for you by the family and it is mainly local fare allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You'll also have access to the kitchen if you want to make snacks or drinks.

Volunteer Flat
Our volunteer flat is situated close to all our host families. This option gives you the chance to live within the local community whilst at the same time retaining your independence. This newly built flat is very modern, spacious, light and airy. It has a well kitted out kitchen and large lounge area with satellite TV, DVD and a good selection of DVDs for your entertainment. DVD’s however are extremely cheap to buy in the market at Rs 20 each! There is also a small balcony on which to relax with a cool drink and a book and gets a wonderfully refreshing evening breeze to keep you cool!

You will be provided with a food budget giving you the option to either cook for yourself or sample the local restaurants. Eating out is extremely cheap in Madurai. Opposite the flat is a tasty vegetarian restaurant with excellent south Indian Thali’s and Dosa’s. There is a supermarket just outside the flat selling everything from groceries to clothes and a meat shop below where non vegetarians can stock up on sausages! Many of the hotels in town have roof top restaurants offering incredible views across the town with the dramatic Sri Meenakshi Temple silhouetted on the skyline. Most restaurants are good quality and you can sample north as well as south Indian dishes along with a small selection of western food. Vegetarian food is in abundance! Bakeries and snack shops are on every street and be sure to try the delicious fruit; there is so much choice; mango, pineapple, water melon, custard apples and jack fruit make a very refreshing option and coconut water is also delicious!

To read about the extensive Support & Backup we provide in our countries, please click here.

TRAVEL, VISAS, plus SUPPORT & BACKUP:

You will fly into Madurai where you will be met by a representative from our India office. You'll be taken to your accommodation and introduced to the other volunteers before starting your placement.

You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.

Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.

VISAS:. We'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!




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Last modified: March 12, 2010