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| ADMISSIONS |
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What is ICMIS?
The International Center for Management and India Studies (ICMIS) was founded in 1997 and was formerly known as Center for American Education. It moved to the present campus in 2005 and was renamed International Center for Management and India Studies. ICMIS is a unique institution that offers education, research, India centric programs and executive development programs to the global community.
ICMIS is located conveniently close to the heart of the city of Bangalore and also adequately equipped with library, classrooms and other amenities. The Hostel for Students and various other types of accommodation as well as convenient hotels are located nearby.
How do I apply?
If you’re a potential applicant for the CCIS – Semester Abroad Program then your application is routed through the Center for International Education, Truman State University. The contact information of the Study Abroad Advisor is:
Rosa Virginia Mendez
Study Abroad Advisor
Truman State University
Center for International Education
100 East Normal, 114 Kirk Building
Kirksville, Mo 63501
Phone: 660-785-7455
Fax: 660-785-7473
rvmendez@truman.edu
If you’re a potential participant in the faculty-led study tours, then your application is routed through your home institution Study Abroad Office.
In case you’re still uncertain about how to proceed, feel free to mail the Academic Dean at ICMIS, whose mailing ID is rsrao@icmis.org
When are the programs held at ICMIS?
The CCIS – Semester Abroad Program is held round the year during 3 sessions. The regular Fall & Spring sessions are of 16 weeks’ duration. The Summer session consists of two types – a 4 weeks’ and a 8 weeks’ duration.
The faculty-led study tours are held round the year as per the specific window of opportunity requested for by the specific institution.
How many credits are earned per course?
Each course is worth 3 credits.
How many courses can I choose?
During the Fall and Spring semester you may choose to take 12 – 15 credits. During the Summer session you may enroll for 3 to 6 credits.
Can I take any courses I choose?
Before signing up for a specific course you will need to check with your home institution to make sure they will approve the transfer credit provided for a specific course. On your application you will be ask to list several course choices. On rare occasions there may be schedule or enrollment conflicts. If this occurs you will be notified and ask to choose a second or third choice.
Where will my classes be held?
Your classes will be held at the ICMIS campus. Please note you will not be enrolled with students from Indian Universities and instead will be attending classes with students from various US universities and colleges.
What are the steps I need to take to ensure that I will receive credit for the program through my home institution?
There are three important steps to successfully obtaining Transfer Credit through your home institution:
- Obtain written pre-approval of your courses as well as for alternate courses. Check the ICMIS website for the needed course descriptions to help with the approval process prior to applying for the program.
- Achieve good grades in your classes while studying abroad
- Complete a transcript request form that ICMIS will provide in your welcome pack once your application is received.
When can I expect to have my transcripts sent to my home institution?
Your ICMIS Transcript will be sent to your academic advisor at the home institution approximately two weeks after your return to the United States. |
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| MONEY MATTERS |
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How much money should I bring?
Spending habits vary greatly from student to student. For example students living in student residences will need to budget appropriately for food and toiletries. It’s always wise to err on the side of caution. ICMIS generally recommends that students bring at least $100 per week. The frequency with which you travel, eat in restaurants, and go out in the evenings will determine your weekly expenditures. After the first week and a half, check your actual spending against this budget to figure out if your habits will leave you with enough money to get through the program, and adjust accordingly.
What form of currency should I bring?
Diversify, diversify, diversify. In this day and age, you’ll find that an ATM card with a credit option will get you just about anywhere you need to go. Remember, however, that in the event your wallet gets lost or stolen, you are high and dry until you can replace that card. We recommend that you bring a modest amount with you in traveler’s checks (approximately $150). Set them aside as an emergency only fund when you arrive in country. Be aware that you’ll need a photo ID to cash traveler’s checks at most locations, and they aren’t accepted everywhere. If you bring your ATM card overseas, be certain to talk to a representative at your bank to make sure that your card has international capabilities. Also find out about any other steps you might need to take before using your card overseas. If your PIN is longer than 4 digits, ask your bank representative whether this will work overseas. Almost all ATMs will add a fee for international transactions. You may want to get a credit card with a low credit line before going abroad as well. To keep better track of your spending, we’d recommend you use it in case of an emergency ONLY. |
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| ACCOMMODATION AND STUDENT LIFE |
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Where will I live?
Students reside in a student residence. ICMIS houses students in a variety of student residences throughout Bangalore. While they vary in terms of style, location and amenities, they all meet the following standard requirements:
- Located no more than a 40 minute commute via public transportation from the ICMIS Campus
- Not more than 2 students per room, with separate single beds for each
- A place to store your clothes whether it be shelves or a closet
- Access to a kitchen equipped with basic cookware and utensils. This may be within the individual unit or within the building and shared with other students
- A bathroom with shower - this may be within the individual unit or within the building and shared with other students
Although all residences will meet these criteria according to ICMIS standards, please note that it is virtually impossible to find residences exactly alike in every way. For example, some residences may have units housing multiple students but with its own kitchen and bathroom, while other residences may have shared kitchens and bathrooms but students are housed in their own single rooms.
Who will I live with?
In a student residence you will be living with other students. Depending on the size of the accommodation, this number can vary between 10 to 15 students.
How will I get to class?
ICMIS will arrange your daily commute from your residence to the campus and back, in addition to all course-related activities and excursions within and outside Bangalore. Any other transportation for purely personal and recreational purposes outside of class time would be at your expense. ICMIS would assist you in choosing various options.
Do student accommodations have telephones?
While some student residences do have landlines, it is not standard. Internet cafes often have good deals on international calling, and students have also begun using resources such as Skype on the Internet to place international calls for a small fee or no charge at all. ICMIS would loan you a local hand set with a SIM card of a local service provider. You would have to purchase requisite talk-time for this handset. You will receive information about this cell phone on arrival in Bangalore. Incoming calls are free on most cell phones in India, but be aware of roaming charges as well as the rates on outgoing international calls as these costs can build up quickly!
Are there Internet facilities? Should I bring my laptop?
There are computer facilities with wireless Internet access at the ICMIS campus. Most student residences also have internet connections in the common recreation areas. There are many Internet cafes throughout the city. Either of these options should suffice to keep you in touch with friends and family at home. Please be advised that the computers at the ICMIS center as well as at many Internet cafes are set up for basic web surfing and may be a bit slower than what you’re used to. Downloading television programs, for example, may not be possible.
Bringing your laptop is a personal decision.
How will I do my laundry?
Shared laundry facilities are located in the student residence. Plan appropriately for the extra time your laundry may take, when packing. ICMIS will also help you find the closest Laundromat.
Can I have overnight guests?
No guests are allowed in ICMIS housing. Please be courteous of this, and arrange for visits with friends in outside locations.
Is the electricity the same as in North America?
No, the voltage in India is 220 - 240 V (US voltage is 110 – 120 V). It is advisable to bring both plug adapters and voltage converters with you as it is more expensive to purchase them in India.
What is the weather like?
The climate of Bangalore is moderate and pleasant. Summers are moderate (30 to 35 degrees Celsius) during April-June, and winters are cool (October-February). The city experiences southwestern monsoon rains in June-August. The atmosphere is neither very humid nor very dry. The mean values of the relative humidity in the wettest (September) and driest (January) months are 76 and 63 percent respectively.
Early morning fog occurs between October to February but mainly in December and January. An important feature influencing the climate of Bangalore is the low cloud which covers almost the entire sky during greater part of the day from June to September. The morning hours in these months, with overcast skies, little or no rain and a fresh breeze with temperature of the order of 21°C to 25°C (70°F to 77°F) are the most pleasant in the year. The period from June to September considered the "Season" in Bangalore.
What clothes should I bring? What do I need to pack?
Informal, skimpily dressed women (no matter how normal by western standards) will be stared at. Wear suits for business meetings. The only dress code Bangaloreans subscribe to is the one dictated by the weather. Laidback, cosmopolitan and trendy-Indian and Western clothes are worn with equal élan. Weddings, of course, bring out traditional splendor in jewellery, flowers and clothes
A good pair of walking shoes is essential. A warmer jacket is important outside of summer, but a lighter jacket can be useful on some summer evenings. Remember that you may want to buy clothes in India; so don't over-pack!
The following is a composite list developed by past students and local personnel.
Adapt it to suit your own style and priorities.
You will not need all the items on the packing list, but they may remind you of items that you will want to bring. What and how many of each to bring along would be largely determined by how much baggage you’re allowed to carry free….
- first-aid kit
- sewing kit
- flashlight
- small tool kit (screw driver, hammer, pliers, etc.)
- umbrella
- backpack
- 1 pair of shoes comfortable to walk in
- 1 pair of formal shoes
- Thongs/sandals/flip flops
- A pair of comfortable outfits/ formal clothes
- T shirts & jeans
- Tank tops (conservative if you take any)
- Skirts/ dresses that extend below the knees
- 1-2 long sleeved lightweight shirts
- Several short sleeved shirts with collars
- Lots of underwear (depending on how many times a week you do your laundry)
- Lightweight socks
- 1 long-sleeve warm top
- Sweat pants
- Bandanas or handkerchiefs
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Lightweight long sleeve pajamas
- Sun hat/ cap
- Sunblock cream/lotion (in case you prefer a specific brand)
- A pair of sun goggles
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, shaving supplies, hand lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Hair dryer
- Sleeping bag or personal bed linen, pillow etc
Where can I receive mail?
We suggest that you have mail and packages sent directly to the ICMIS campus in Bangalore, with your name clearly marked on the outside of the package or letter. You can find this address in your pre-departure packet that you will receive before departing for Bangalore. By having your letters and packages sent to the center rather than your accommodation, we can keep them secure until you are able to collect them. Please be advised that when receiving packages from overseas, the sender must elect to assume all associated charges in shipping, including any customs fees. Failure to do so could delay or prevent you from receiving a package or even result in you getting a large customs bill! Be aware of what can be safely shipped and what are prohibited items.
What will I eat?
Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, and you’ll find foods and flavors from all over the globe. In addition to the many supermarkets, there is a plethora of fresh food available in several restaurants that cater to different cuisines. Try and venture beyond the norm. With the many diverse cultures and backgrounds in Bangalore, you should be able to find a wide variety of foods at a wide variety of times. ICMIS will arrange for your daily lunch and dinner. Please be forthcoming about any dietary restrictions you might have on your CCIS application. ICMIS will always do its best to accommodate these needs, but be advised that you may need to purchase some grocery items yourself if these are not covered in the meal plan available.
When can I travel and what are the holidays for my program?
Please speak with ICMIS personnel on campus for the specific dates of holidays during your program, such as semester breaks or long weekends. This information is given to participants during the orientation program on Day 1. As these vacation dates can be subject to change, we suggest that you not make any lengthy travel arrangements until you arrive in country. Your weekends can also be used to travel.
How will I get to know the locals?
The ICMIS center is not affiliated with a university in Bangalore and you will not be taking classes with local students. You will, however, find that the CCIS program activities will provide you with many opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture. Additionally, ICMIS can recommend a number of individual opportunities, such as volunteering, that you may want to get involved in locally. Ultimately, the study abroad experience is as rich as you want it to be. The more you put into it, the more you will take away.
How can I find out more on how to prepare?
The US government has created a very useful website for students preparing to study abroad. It contains information on obtaining travel documents, staying healthy and knowing what to do in an emergency, safety tips, how to find the nearest embassy, how to vote while overseas, and more. Visit their website at http://studentsabroad.state.gov. |
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| HEALTH CARE |
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What happens if I get sick?
Bangalore has excellent doctors and medical facilities. You are required to carry with you some sort of international health insurance that covers hospitalization, procedures and medication costs. Be sure to keep your brochure with you for information on the full coverage. Your healthcare coverage will operate differently overseas than in the United States. When visiting the doctor or hospital, you are required to pay up front for services. You will then be reimbursed up to your limit for this by your service provider, provided that you hold onto all receipts associated with your medical services and submit your claim within 30 days of returning to the US.
Should I bring any medication?
If you are taking prescription medication, you should bring enough for your stay in India. Remember to keep any medication in its original packaging and bring this in your carry-on luggage. We recommend that you get a note from your doctor explaining the medication that you’re taking, as well as the generic name of the medication. Hold onto this in the event that you have any issues with your prescription or need to obtain more medication for any reason. It can be difficult to have medications shipped overseas.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
During the orientation program on Day 1, ICMIS will provide you with emergency contact information of personnel who will be available 24/7 to assist you in any emergency. |
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| FOR PARENTS |
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What happens to my child on arrival in Bangalore?
Your child’s safety while studying in Bangalore is ICMIS’s top priority. From the moment your child gets off the plane in Bangalore, the ICMIS Team is there to assist them by offering guidance and support in a number of primary areas including cultural adjustment, medical needs, and life in the city. A 24-hour emergency number is given to students for any urgent situation that may arise outside of regular office hours.
How can I contact my son/daughter during the program?
ICMIS provides all participants with the option of renting a cell phone for the duration of the program, which will be given to them on arrival in Bangalore. Be sure to keep the cell phone number handy as this will be the best way to reach your student. Students will have limited access to landlines while there are overseas. Please note that many of the international rates on calling cards are only applicable to landline calls. Calls made to cell phones are often much more expensive and use more minutes of an international calling card. You may want to consider temporarily setting an international calling plan from your landline in the United States. Many providers offer these plans, some examples of this are the AT&T International Plan and the MCI International Plan. When calling your student, don’t forget the time difference!
I want to send my son/daughter a letter/package, where should I send it?
Please address all letters and packages to the ICMIS campus where your child is studying and make sure to write his/her name on the letter/package. *Note: If you are sending a package via Fed Ex, you must select the option which indicates that all costs will be covered by the sender and you must provide your credit card number. Fed Ex adds on duty and administrative fees when the package arrives overseas and if you have not chosen to pay for these fees, the package will either not be accepted at ICMIS or your child will be asked to pay these charges.
My son/daughter is sick, can he/she go to the doctor?
It is essential for your child to have an international health insurance plan that covers hospitalization, procedures and medication costs for the duration of the study abroad program. It is equally important to note that your son/ daughter will have to pay out of pocket up front for any health care costs incurred during the study abroad program. He /she should also be sure to hold onto ANY receipts in order to more easily reclaim the money spent once he / she has returned to the United States. ICMIS provides your child with an emergency contact number which may be used at any time he/ she faces a medical problem.
How do I send money to my son/daughter?
Western Union is still a reliable resource for wiring money in the case of an emergency. You can visit http://www.westernunion.com or your local branch to do this. It can also be a good idea to get added to your son or daughter’s checking account through his or her bank before he or she leaves. That way, you can automatically transfer money into the checking account over the phone or online.
What else might I need?
There’s never really any way of predicting everything you could need while your son / daughter is abroad, but some precautionary measures can make everything easier:
- Keep a photocopy of your son or daughter’s passport on hand. If it gets lost, having a copy of this will expedite the process of getting a replacement.
- Keep a photocopy of any credit cards your son or daughter is bringing. Again, in the event of an emergency, this information can be useful.
Who can I contact for further information about study abroad programs, administrative & logistic support?
Ms Suchitra Kutty
Vice-President, ICMIS.
Email: suchitrakutty@icmis.org
Cell phone: +91-98453-33880 |
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