Interview Anne

I was a teaching assistant at Vruksha Montessori School in Chennai, India. In the classroom, I observed and assisted students with the Montessori philosophy of education in mind. I learned a lot about the Montessori materials for sensorial, math, reading and writing. I also had the chance to attend a number of Montessori workshops.

I wrote several schools in India an e-mail introducing myself and my interest to come to India. I included my curriculum vitae in all of these emails. I received just a few responses to that email. After exchanging a few emails with the headmistress of Vruksha Montessori School, I spoke with her on the phone. We set up a date for me to come and I booked the flight.

Yes, I had to apply for a visa, which is easy. In Hamburg there is an office that helps you with the application. You just need your passport (make sure it is valid!). I got a tourist visa for six months, which cost around 50€ at the time - but the prices went up last year and in the end it cost me 64€. You need to apply for the visa a month before leaving the country. In most cases it takes just a week, but I guess it's better to be on the safe side.

I arranged my accommodation via Facebook. I just searched for apartments to rent and found a site where people rent flats to interns from other countries. My landlord picked me up from the airport and brought me to the apartment. We communicated via Facebook and Skype to make the arrangements. I can't remember if we had a contract, but I would advise setting one up.

I rented a two bedroom apartment with two beds in each room. My friend and I stayed in one bedroom. We also had two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. The other bedroom was rented to the ISAC organisation (which we found out later). In the end we stayed there with four girls. We paid much more for the apartment than it actually costs, but still it was very cheap and in a very good and safe area close to the school and the town center.

I had foreign travel health insurance with DKV for 6 months and payed around 10€ a month. Also, I had vaccinations for hepatitis, rabies and typhus - but these were optional. Unfortunately, my German health insurance did not pay for them. Make sure beforehand if your insurance covers the vaccinations!

The cost of living in India is very low, but of course it depends on you. I ate out every day, a meal costs 1 - 3€, plus I traveled a lot on the weekends and holidays so I spent more money on these things. When traveling, the costs depend on how well you can bargain and if you travel with AC in first, second, or third class. 

People are very friendly and helpful.

There is definitely less structure than in Germany. For instance, you never really know on which platform or when the bus is leaving - but in the end someone will just take your hand and lead you to it.

I missed bread, cheese and a warm shower!

I learned a lot about the Montessori philosophy as well as team teaching - we were two to three teachers in one classroom for 31 students.