THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BANGALORE
INTERNATIONAL STAFF HANDBOOK 2023-24
#BeTheStartOfSomething
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Dr KP Gopalkrishna Chairman
Mr Hari Krishnan CEO
Dr Santha Gopalkrishna Founder
Dr Bindu Hari Senior Principal & ViceChairperson
Ms Josheta Hari Associate Director
WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL Welcome to TISB! As an international new employee, you are joining the team that has made TISB one of the top schools in India, a sought-after boarding community and a vibrant and ambitious school. I wish you every success in your new role, and I hope that you quickly feel at home. Please remember that at TISB every role and every individual is important; I hope you will immediately connect with our core values and build positive working relationships. I hope your experience here at TISB, in Bangalore and in India will be challenging and fulfilling both personally and professionally. This handbook should not be considered as an employment contract or an agreement for employment but should be viewed as useful and important information to ensure your predeparture planning, arrival at TISB and settling in goes as smoothly as possible. We have attempted to be as detailed as possible without overburdening you and if there are any changes, we will update you immediately. I wish you good luck with the move and if you have any queries please contact hrasst@tisb.ac.in. I look forward to meeting you and more importantly working with you. With best wishes,
Dr. Caroline Pascoe Principal
OUR SCHOOL The International School Bangalore is located on a 140-acre campus in Dommasandra, Sarjapur of Bangalore, in Southern India. TISB was founded in 2000 by the school’s Chairman, Dr K P Gopalkrishna, an eminent leader in education, and is one of India’s most reputable, independent, selective, international boarding and day schools. Dr Gopalkrishna is also the Chairman and Founder of The National Public Schools (NPS) which have become a model that many schools seek to replicate under his advice. Throughout its history TISB has delivered consistently high academic standards and strives to combine traditional values with a modern, global approach to life and learning.
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Respect
Acceptance and Equality
Collaboration and Camaraderie
Honesty
TISB believes in respect
TISB prides itself on student equality and fairness regardless of age, background or ability. Diversity is accepted and valued so no one feels excluded or less important.
TISB’s community spirit and friendly atmosphere allow individual personalities to develop, and our student-led events and activities foster a supportive, nurturing and caring community.
We feel proud to be part of our school community with a desire to excel and to do the best we can with integrity and honesty.
towards students, staff and the school, and fostering relationships based on fun and friendship.
WORKING IN TISB TISB is a globally minded, international, co-educational, boarding and day school situated in 140 acres of stunning grounds in the Whitefield area of Bangalore, India. Students study the Cambridge PY Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate programmes and English is the language of instruction throughout the school. Working at TISB will provide you with a rewarding opportunity to impact the developing lives of students from a range of diverse backgrounds. LIVING IN BANGALORE Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore, and still known by many as Bangalore) is a unique and rapidly growing cosmopolitan city. English, Hindi and the local language of Kannada are the main languages spoken in Bangalore; with the majority of people having at least some understanding of English.
2023-24 TERM DATES Link: Term Dates | The International School Bangalore (tisb.org) You can find the Term Dates for the current & the next academic year in our website. Please note that the dates are subject to changes often, so it is always important to refer to the website (link above) to get the up-to-date information.
APPLYING FOR AN EMPLOYMENT VISA IN INDIA Your Passport We recommend that your passport is renewed if the expiry date is due to expire before you intend to return to your home country. If your visa expires you will need to obtain a new employment visa and update various authorities. It is far easier and cheaper to obtain a new passport while in your home country than from India. Six months validity on a passport is generally the standard requirement for most countries, so if you plan to do some travelling during the holidays you will require a passport with a lengthy validity. The Process Please take the following information as guidelines but bear in mind that this is India and the processes can change. The amount of effort and time required in obtaining visas can vary greatly from application to application, so patience may be required. TISB have a great deal of experience in the visa processes and will assist you every step of the way. How will TISB assist you? We will thoroughly research which documents are required from the school to obtain an Employment Visa for India and provide you with them in good time. Visa requirements may vary from Embassy to Embassy, so we ensure continued support during your application process and will send any further required documentation as soon as possible. We will provide you with the supporting letter to apply for Dependent or Spouse visa applications. We will reimburse the costs of obtaining Employment, Spouse and/or Dependent visas We will assist with registration at the FRRO (Foreigner Regional Registration Office) on arrival (see below for details). Expenses for the registration with FRRO will be paid for by the school. We assist you with your Visa Extension application. Reimbursement You must keep receipts for all relocation expenses if you wish to be reimbursed. The relocation allowance is not an automatic payment, and you will be asked to complete a reimbursement form with all receipts attached. Once the forms are completed an allowance sum of up to Rs. 20,000 will be paid to you against your expenses on arrival, with the remainder (if any) being reimbursed once your bank account has been opened and the relevant reimbursement documentation has been completed and is accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement of any remaining amount (if any) will take place once your bank account has been opened and the relevant reimbursement paperwork and receipts have been received.
APPLYING FOR AN EMPLOYMENT VISA FROM THE UK Please apply for a one-year visa. In our experience, expats are more likely to be granted a one-year visa even if they have applied and paid for more than one year – and there are no refunds.! Visas are extendable for up to 5 years and this is done online. This website will give you all the information you need: http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/Employment.html You will need to complete and submit the: 1. Passport valid for minimum of 180 days with at least 2 blank pages 2. Correct visa fee 3. 2 recent 50mm x 50mm photographs, full face, front view with eyes open. It is worth having these taken before going to visa submission office, although if you forget there should be an option to have them taken. 4. Application Form printed and signed 5. Declaration printed and signed 6. Additional Form 7. Employment Visa Undertaking 8. Copy of employment contract signed by both parties, with a specific clause for payment of income tax in India. 9. Copy of TISB’s registration papers (which the school will send you with your contract) 10. Copy of educational qualification papers You may be asked to write a handwritten letter to the High Commission, to accompany your application pack which should say: For the attention of: High Commission of India India House Aldwych London WC2B 4NA Date To Whom It May Concern This letter is to confirm that I would like to apply for an Employment Visa for 12 months to allow me to take up my employment as a xxxxx Teacher at The International School Bangalore, NAFL Valley, Whitefield – Sarjapur Road, Near Dommasandra Circle, Bangalore 562125, India. I confirm that The International School Bangalore will pay my taxes for the first 2 years of my employment. I am very much looking forward to taking up this position at such a respected international school and would appreciate you supporting my application. Yours faithfully Xxxxx
NB: You will need to go to a visa application submission office to submit your application; this cannot be done by post or online. You will need to choose an appointment, and sometimes the choices can be limited. At the Hounslow VFS office in 2018 photocopying was 25p per sheet and photos £10. You will have fingerprints and a photo taken at the office, which is the ‘biometrics’ part of the application. We recommend you make two copies of all the documents you are submitting because sometimes they ask for an additional copy and you will then have a copy. Get this done before you go as it is cheaper.
APPLYING FOR AN EMPLOYMENT VISA FROM COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE UK Please contact your local Indian Embassy or their website. In our experience, it is easier to apply for a visa from your country of origin.
VISAS FOR SPOUSE AND/OR DEPENDENTS Dependents should apply for their visas after the main applicant has received their visa. They should apply for an Entry Visa, known as an X-visa, which will expire at the same time as the main applicant’s Employment Visa. Individuals on an X-Visa are not allowed to take up any employment in India but can volunteer or be a student. On application, you may be asked to write a letter, similar to that above, and if so, you will be instructed on what to write when at the office.
APPLYING FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT (ONCE IN INDIA)
Foreign nationals who intend to stay in India for a period longer than 180 days, or who have a visa for more than 180 days, need to obtain a residence permit within 2 weeks of their arrival in India, or a fine may be applied. The school will assist with this process and apply on your behalf. Obtaining your residence permit will allow you to apply for a bank account and have a mobile phone account. For the school to apply for your residence permit (and later your visa extension) from the FRRO (Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office) you will need to bring the following documents with you. Please do not put these documents in your shipment if it is due to arrive later, as you will need them almost as soon as you arrive. Original degree and teaching certificates (with translations if necessary), and/or original transcripts if you have them Certificate of Residence - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-certificate-of-residence Criminal record checks if you have one Marriage certificate/proof of dissolution of marriage, if applicable Copies of children’s birth certificates, latest school reports and medical reports, if applicable Six passport photographs, not more than six months old. If you have previously worked in India you will need a copy of your PAN card, Indian Resident Permit/ Stay Visa and copies of all tax records from your previous employment. For teachers coming from the UK only – it is advisable to arrange to make National Insurance payments while a nonresident. Tax Residency Certificate /Tax Clearance Certificate National Insurance Card or Equivalent Form P45 or P60
VISA EXTENSION Visa renewal is generally a straightforward online process and are applied for at least 15 days prior to the expiry of the current visa. Officially, visas can only be extended by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), located in New Delhi. However, for the convenience of foreigners, the FRROs/District Superintendents of Police (ex-officio FROs) are now empowered to make some conversions/extensions for certain types of visas without referring to the MHA. In the case of employment visas, the FRRO will issue one-year visa extensions, provided all documentation is in order. The Extension of your Residence Permit will be done at the same time. TISB will assist in the renewing of your visas and advise you of the documentation that will be required.
APPLYING FOR AN INDIAN ID CARD There are many benefits to having an Indian ID card which is called an Aadhar Card. These are: Indian entry into tourist sights ID for internal flights and hotels instead of passport Any time you need photographic ID After several months of being here at TISB, we will help you to obtain an Aadhar Card.
FLIGHTS TO AND FROM BANGALORE Your flight to arrive at TISB for the start of your contract will be booked by TISB. From then on, as part of your contract, you will receive one return economy flight per academic year, which will also be booked by TISB, once the term dates have been agreed. Flights will be booked as an economy return ticket from Bangalore to your home country in June at the start of the summer break. At the end of your contract TISB will also pay for a return one-way flight to your country of origin. Please contact hrasst@tisb.ac.in to discuss any queries.
SALARY & BANKING The currency in India is the Indian Rupee (Rs). The exchange rate fluctuates between about Rs 67 – 70 to the USD. Rupees are seldom found outside India but there are money changing desks and ATM machines at the airport, the ATM will give you a better exchange rate, but you may be charged a service fee. Your salary will be paid to you on the 4th of every month in Indian Rupees as credit into your account via Standard Chartered Bank and will be worked out according to your salary in US Dollars ($). We will use a provisional exchange rate of approximately Rs70 (this figure will be confirmed at the start of the academic year) to the USD to calculate your salary. Twice a year you will receive a payment for the actual exchange rate variance which is calculated based on the difference between the provisional rate and actual exchange rate as follows: First instalment - in your March salary to cover the exchange variance between August to March. Second instalment - in your July salary to cover the exchange variance between April to July.
The PAN card is an ID document for tax purposes and TISB will help you to obtain this once you arrive. Once you receive your PAN card, you will be eligible to apply for a Standard Chartered bank account and TISB will assist you with this procedure. The Bursary will assist you with sending funds to your home country, which is a relatively easy process, but involves a number of different forms to be completed. Since July 2023, there is 20% Tax at Source charged on any funds sent overseas which exceed Rs7 Lakh (Rs700,000). You can claim the tax back in your annual tax return.
INDIAN INCOME TAX India has entered into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with number of countries such as UK, Spain, Australia, Sweden and Italy. India does not tax your Teaching Income for 2 Years from the date of your first visit to India provided, immediately before that visit you were a resident of a country with whom India has entered in to DTAA. ‘Resident of the State’ means any person who, under the laws of that State, is liable to pay tax in that country. Staff are required to present a Certificate of Tax Residence from the home for the period prior to coming to India in order to be eligible for the exemption from Indian Income Tax. In the UK this is obtained from HMRC and takes about a month to process. After the initial period of 2 Years, your teaching income will be taxable in India, which will be compensated.
RELOCATION Transferring your belongings TISB will pay costs up to $500 towards your expenses (you will need to submit receipts) for relocation to India and there are several options to choose from to transfer your belongings to Bangalore: Excess baggage – if you are not planning to bring a large amount with you, then this may be a good option. Airlines will charge different amounts for excess baggage and will also have different free baggage allowances. Some of the Middle Eastern airlines have very large baggage allowances but will charge more for excess. If you choose this option, you should book the excess baggage prior to check-in. Unaccompanied baggage – Cheaper than paying for excess baggage, and quicker than shipping, but a little cumbersome. Check rates with several airlines to compare costs. Bags will need to be taken to the depot at the airport some time before your flight to pass security. Bags may arrive on the same day, or possibly after your flight, either way, it will need to pass through security and a return trip to Bangalore airport to collect it will be required. Tax will need to be paid on the items in the bags. It is advised to take labels off anything that is brand new. Shipping – best option for large amounts. Some relocation companies will pack items for you, or it may be cheaper to pack yourself using their crates or boxes. Shipments take between four to eight weeks to arrive, and please be aware of the different entry points into India so your belongings do not need to be collected from a different city!
RELOCATION AGENTS AGS Four Winds UK
India
https://www.agsmovers.com/
manager-india-bangalore@agsfourwinds.com
Tel: +441895201595
Tel: +91 80 41 16 32 26, +91 80 41 16 32 27
Allied Pickfords UK
India
https://www.pickfords.co.uk/international-moving
india@alliedpickfords.com
Tel: 0800 019 8557
Tel: +91 7848 818 777, +91 8088 935 627
Santa Fe UK
India
https://www.santaferelo.com/en/
saahil.saxena@santafe.in
Tel: +44 208 961 4141
Tel: +91 80 40522232
BRINGING MONEY INTO INDIA You are allowed to bring in unlimited amounts of foreign currency, however, amounts exceeding USD5000 (or equivalent) in cash or USD10,000 (or equivalent) in travellers’ cheques must be declared. It is advised that you bring money with you, to cover your expenses during the first month or so; the Bursary can change money for you. Alternatively, there are ATM cash points available to use, and most international cards will work in India ATMs.
RETURNING TO THE UK FROM INDIA WITH FREIGHT We only have details for the UK but it is worth checking the situation for other countries too. As soon as your belongings have been packed and moved from your accommodation, you will need to apply for a Transfer of Residence (ToR) document, otherwise the movers cannot release your goods from the bonded warehouse. This can be done via the UK government HMRC website. The documents that you will require are: A comprehensive hard and soft copy of the list of items you have packed Soft copies of your passport UK Bank Statement showing your UK address Soft copy of your Indian Bank Statement - showing the address you are moving from Apply online and once you get a reference number, your ToR will take about 5-6 weeks.
LIVING ON CAMPUS & GENERAL INFORMATION The TISB campus is a large environmentally friendly site of approximately 140 acres. The staff accommodation at TISB is situated away from the main teaching blocks, close to the playing fields. The campus provides accommodation for 90 – 100 staff members in either single, double or triple bed apartments on a single or sharing basis. Staff will be informed in advance of which accommodation they will be given. Accommodation Depending on the size of the accommodation any typical apartment will consist of: 1 or 2 Bedrooms - wall mounted sliding door wardrobes, bed(s) with mattress(es), sheets, pillows with covers, side tables, blankets. There is an IKEA now in Bangalore so bedding and any homeware items can be obtained from here. Also most things, including baked beans and marmite, can be purchased on Amazon.in. Bathroom - shower, basin, WC Living Room - sofa and chairs (cane type), coffee table, dining table and chairs, television Kitchen - wall mounted cabinets, crockery and cutlery items, storage containers, gas burner, microwave oven, toaster, refrigerator, water purifying machine Windows are fixed with mosquito shutters and curtains Wi-Fi – you will be given login details for Wi-Fi in the staff quarters. An annual fee is charged for devices other than your mobile phone. During Induction, staff are required to read and digitally sign the ICT Acceptable Use Policy – Staff. Inventory – you will be provided with an inventory of what is provided in your accommodation, which will be checked when you leave the accommodation at the end of your contract. What you won’t find in your apartment when you arrive: Table lamps Iron (see Laundry below) Ironing board Cleaning equipment Toiletries Alcohol & Smoking The campus is essentially a dry site, however, staff living on site are allowed to drink alcohol and smoke responsibly inside their apartments (not on the balcony). If you plan to have a gathering of staff as a celebration for example, alcohol should be kept to a minimum. Before Going Away Ensure all electrical and gas switches are off Ensure the apartment is securely locked Ensure all taps are off Someone knows you are going away – either HR or Estates
Electricity Power cuts in Bangalore are very common and not a reason to be alarmed. The school has a 24-hour power supply with a generator back-up, so power is usually restored in 8 – 10 seconds. Energy saving Please turn off lights and fans when a room is not being used. Use energy saving bulbs where possible. Avoid leaving appliances on standby or charge. Ensure the fridge and freezer doors are shut properly. Avoid putting hot food into the fridge. Check the door seals are working properly. Ensure the pan covers the electric ring. If using gas, ensure the flame is only heating the bottom of the pan. Only fill kettles for the amount of water required. Indian plugs have 2 round European-style pins, or 3 round pins. Any electrical items brought from the UK will work using an adapter. Resident staff are provided with free electricity up to 100 units per month. After 100 units, charges are made on a per unit consumption basis and will be taken from your salary. Tube lights or bulbs when needed to be replaced are chargeable or can be purchased from a supermarket. Ceiling fans are provided in each room except kitchens A wall mounted water heater is provided in each bathroom If you wish to connect your television to a cable provider, such as Tata Sky or use a Firestick from Amazon.in, you will need to arrange this yourself, but please ensure Estates are made aware. Any electrical repairs or maintenance on campus provided appliances should only be carried out by the Estates Department. Electrical appliances belonging to staff are their responsibility. Decorating Your Apartment Fixing pictures or posters to the wall of your apartment is allowed, within reason. Please contact Estates Department if you wish pictures to be put up to avoid hammering into wires etc. Equality At TISB we are committed equal opportunities and therefore harassment of any kind from residents, their families or visitors will not be tolerated. If you have been subjected to any kind of harassment, please inform the HR Department. Employing a Maid or cleaner If you would like to employ a maid to cook, clean or look after children for you, then please contact the Estates Department who will be happy to assist and recommend someone. The salary for a staff is very reasonable, and you can choose how many hours and what you would like her to assist you with. It is your responsibility to pay for your maid’s services in cash. Families with Children There is plenty of space for children to play and ride bicycles or micro-scooters and there is an area with jungle gym equipment, which children should only use under parental supervision. The campus is safe and secure, but children should avoid playing in between the buses, in the roads and car parks. Keys You will be provided with a key to your front door. It might be worth leaving a spare with a neighbour in case you are locked out. You will be responsible for replacing lost keys.
Laundry There are various options for laundry: The school has a laundry where items are weighed, counted and logged. Washing and ironing takes two to three days and costs Rs 50 per kilo. If you would like to employ a maid, she could do your laundry for you. Buy your own washing machine from Amazon.in Maintenance If you require maintenance work in the apartment, please contact ... who will aim to respond within four working days. If that is not possible, you will be given an explanation as to when you can expect a response. The site is large and works are put into a priority order, so please be patient! Maintenance and carpentry work by outside providers is not permitted. Noise and Nuisance If a neighbour is causing a nuisance, please try to resolve the issue between yourselves, which is usually the quickest and easiest way. Remember, the person causing the problem may not even be aware they are causing a disturbance or irritancy. Please be considerate to others when it comes to noise levels by keeping the volume down in the evenings and mornings. Should problems continue, please inform the HR Department who will aim to assist. Remember - solutions to disagreements inevitably require some compromise from both sides. Uber, Ola Taxis and Autorickshaws It is possible to book Uber and Ola Taxis to and from the school campus. Taxis are allowed onto the campus with a security guard, however, Autos are not allowed on campus and you will need to get on and off outside the gate. Parking Staff are allowed to park their vehicles on site, but we do ask that you park in your allocated place and in the correct marked areas as only limited parking is available. A vehicle should never take up more than one space and should not be parked on the grass, in reserved areas or block right of ways. Major repairs to vehicles should take place off-site, except in emergency. Pets Pets are not allowed on the campus. Should you decide to live off campus and bring your pet, you will need to investigate the regulations for bringing a pet to India. Postal Service Mail of any sort should be addressed to the recipient at: The International School Bangalore NAFL Valley Whitefield - Sarjapur Road Near Dommasandra Circle Bangalore 562 125 India
Parcels will be kept in the photocopying room and the recipient is responsible for collecting any parcels. The school cannot take any responsibility for missing, damaged or undelivered items. It is possible to leave items for posting (either by private courier or India Post) with Reception who will advise on the most reliable methods. Do advise anyone posting items to you that it is best to register packages and to avoid sending anything too valuable. Be aware that you may have to pay import taxes on parcels that you receive. Letters and parcels sent by India Post can take 2 – 3 weeks to arrive in or from the UK. Postal and/or courier fees will be deducted from your salary. School Facilities The swimming pool and other sports facilities (gym, badminton courts, basketball courts etc) are accessible to staff and families at specified times. Teaching Resources If you can, it is a good idea to bring your favourite teaching resources with you. If you are not sure what to bring, contact your Head of Department or Co-ordinator for advice. Small items like stickers and stamps are not as easy to buy in India. Your laptop will be essential. Vacating Staff Quarters at the End of Contract Please inform the Estates Department of your travel details and arrangements Your apartment will be checked against the inventory and any discrepancies discussed You are responsible for the items provided to you by the school and they should remain in your apartment Any damage will be charged against your last salary Visitors to Staff Quarters We do minimise guests during the term time; this is for child protection reasons as boarders will be on campus Staff living on site are allowed visitors to stay at any time, with prior approval. The Guest Invitation Letter (in the Staff Portal) should be completed at least 4 days prior to the guest’s arrival. Guests should wear a Visitors Badge on site when not accompanied by a member of staff. Guests may be asked to provide ID at the security gate, and this request must not be refused. A nominal fee will be charged for school meals. Guests should dress conservatively while on the school site. Guests are allowed to use the school facilities during the specified times for on-site staff and should be accompanied by the member of staff. Waste Management TISB recycles all its dry and wet waste and in order to do that we must segregate waste on site. You will see green, blue and red bins all around the campus, including the staff quarters. You will also be provided with a dry and wet waste bin in your apartment. Please ensure you segregate your waste correctly. Blue Bin – all dry waste such as hard and soft plastic, paper, card – anything that is not wet waste Green Bin – all wet waste such as raw food, cooked food Red Bin – sanitary waste or e-waste (according to the label on the bin) Your rubbish should be discarded carefully to avoid attracting rats and other vermin WiFi The WiFi code for Staff Quarters is: Network: SQ@TISB Password: 00943622@bsit
Water Water in Bangalore is a huge issue and therefore TISB looks to conserve water in the best way it can. The school has numerous rainwater harvesting pits around the site. Bore wells are the only source of water for the site, so conservation is crucial and your co-operation and assistance in saving water is appreciated. The sewage treatment plant on site treats wastewater from all areas of the campus and is then recycled to water the green areas. Solar water heaters are also used to heat water for the students. Resident staff are provided with treated water for which they are not charged Please be mindful of your water consumption and try not to waste water No plumbing modifications should be carried out by residents. Please contact Estates Department. The water is frequently tested to ensure it is safe. The sewage system is designed to manage human waste only. Please do not flush any sanitary waste, nappies, plastic or hair down the toilet. Wildlife There is some lovely wildlife on campus including chipmunks, geckos and a large variety of birds. On occasion you may come across an unwanted creature such a snake. If you do see a snake on site, please do not attempt to move it yourself, but instead inform a security guard or Mr Ashok as soon as possible and it will be safely removed.
MEDICAL Vaccinations You are advised to contact your doctor for advice on vaccinations for India. However, Bangalore is not an area where malaria prophylactics are required. Medical Centre TISB has a 24-hour onsite Medical Centre for students and staff, and doctor visits the school twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 5pm. Outside of the campus there are numerous pharmacies and you can access to most medication without going to a doctor. Medical Insurance The school will contribute to medical insurance up to the value of $500 for two years, should you decide to buy it. Hospitals such as Manipal Sarjapur, Manipal Varthur or Manipal Whitefield are close by and offer excellent health care. Dental Provision This is available at private hospitals.
DRESS CODE Staff at TISB are role models to the students and represent the school. Staff are expected to set a high example and dress should be conservatively smart when at school and on school trips or business. No jeans Male staff are not required to wear a jacket, but should wear a shirt and tie No flipflops or trainers Female staff should not wear revealing tops or spaghetti straps Skirts and dresses should be knee length
MEAL TIMES & EXTRA FOOD Structured Meals in the Dining Room The school provides staff and boarders with three meals per day in the Dining Room, where there is a buffet system offering Indian and Continental choices on a three-weekly rotation of Menus. Street Food In addition to the structured meal times, boarders can buy Street Food from our on-site vendor between 4.30-5.30pm. There is a no cash system and purchases can be made using your ID card. The charges for Street Food will be deducted from your salary. Food Supplies from the Dining Room Staff are able to buy bread, milk and eggs from the Dining Room using the sign in book. Charges will be deducted from your salary. Take-away Deliveries There are not many companies that currently deliver to TISB due to our location, however, that is changing. Zomato Deliveries should be collected at the main gate.
LIVING IN BANGALORE TISB is located in the south-east part of the city between Whitefield and Sarjapur areas, both of which offer good restaurants, bars and shopping malls. The city areas will take 1 – 1.5 hours to reach, depending on the time of day and general traffic. Traffic in Bangalore is definitely something that one has to get used to, and very quickly longer travel times become the norm. There is some information on living in Bangalore on our website here: https://www.tisb.org/employment/livingin-bangalore www.amazon.in is well used and a go to place for most items, which can be delivered to Reception. Through your Airtel mobile contract you will be given a year’s free Amazon Prime. These websites also give some useful information: http://www.thevinebangalore.com/a-z-guide-to-moving-to-blr/ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/bengaluru-bangalore http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/bangalore Getting Around There are a number of ways to travel around Bangalore: Uber and Ola are the main taxi companies, and you will become very familiar with how to use their apps. Taxi travel in Bangalore is very reasonably priced. Auto-rickshaws are good for shorter journeys but be sure to haggle the price! You could arrange to have a private driver. If you feel brave enough to take on the Bangalore traffic, you could buy your own moped or car, which can be kept on campus.
MOBILE PHONE You will need a mobile phone in order to obtain a bank account. Once you have your Residence Permit (FRRO) you will be able to take out a mobile phone contract and have an Indian SIM card. Some people find it useful to have a dual SIM phone which will allow them to keep a UK number (for example) as well as have an Indian number. India has one of the cheapest mobile phone tariff rates in the world. TISB will help you obtain a SIM card and phone. It is important to ensure that you update your Mobile Service Provider after every visa renewal. It is likely that your mobile connection will be disconnected if this is not done. A lot of communication in India is done via WhatsApp, which can also be used to keep in touch internationally.
SHOPPING Food shopping can be done at a number of supermarkets, All Seasons Hypermarket in Dommasandra Circle is close by and sells the most basic supplies including fruit and vegetables. They will also deliver to TISB for free. Loyal World in Nexus Whitefield Mall sells many western food items, but they can be expensive. Most items are easily found in Bangalore, and there are accessible shopping malls reasonably close by that have big brand western shops such as Marks & Spencer, Zara, H&M.
WEATHER The weather in Bangalore is renowned for being very pleasant year-round. From June – November (around 25 - 26oC) there will be monsoon rains, mainly in the afternoons and evenings. It is sensible to have an umbrella with you! From November – January (20 – 25oC) the weather is slightly cooler. From February it starts getting hotter again until June (25 – 35oC) There is no air conditioning on campus except in the computer lab, but there are fans throughout the buildings.
WOMEN IN INDIA Taking public transport (buses and auto-rickshaws) alone at night is not advisable after dark If using taxis use a reputable company and let someone know you are on your way. Be more aware of your clothing, and in a religious or rural area make sure you are covered up People will stare at you and constantly ask for ‘selfies’ – this is something you will have to get used to! People will ask much more personal questions than you may be used to – how old are you? Are you married? Why aren’t you married? Etc. Don’t expect consistency - a shop may stock something some weeks and then it won’t be found Men frequently urinate by the roadside
TOP TIPS FOR LIVING IN BANGALORE Waste management in Bangalore is not good, with large amounts of waste left on the side of the roads. The waste inevitably attracts rats, so is best kept clear of where possible. Carry several passport photos with you – they will be needed when you open accounts or complete any forms. Be patient – Bangalore runs on ILT – Indian Late Time due to the traffic. Bangalore runs on connections, so building social connections is useful as well as a feel-good factor As a foreigner you may not be expected to play by the many cultural rules, however you should respect them and make an effort.
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