One of the highlights of this program for volunteers is the opportunity to travel in and around India. In the program’s first year, during the summer of 2006, volunteers traveled to various locations all across the world before and during the program. One popular option that volunteers have is to arrange their flights to India in a way that it stops at the various countries they wish visit before arriving at India. In the summer of 2006, most of the volunteers split up into small travel groups that spent a couple weeks prior to the program traveling to variety of countries, including England, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

     After the program begins, there are several opportunities to travel in India itself. Last summer, some of the volunteers who had family in India decided to come to India early and spend a week visiting their families in cities such as Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Ooty, and Bhubaneshwar. After the program began, most of the volunteers spent their weekends traveling to nearby places like the beautiful beaches of Mahaballaipuram or the gorgeous mountains and hills of Ooty. Furthermore, there were a few long weekends off from teaching in which volunteers were able to travel to more distant locations such as New Delhi and Agra to see the Taj Mahal, Kerala to relax on some of India’s finest beaches, and Bangalore to experience one of the liveliest cities in India.

     As important as it is to go to India to teach about HIV/AIDS and to get involved in related side projects, it is also important to take some time off and see all that India has to offer. Our goal is that by giving the volunteers ample opportunities to travel, they will be able to truly experience India to its fullest.

     Given the recent security situation in India, all volunteers are strongly encouraged to contact the US State Department about travel restrictions on certain areas of the country. While Chennai, and Tamil Nadu, are safe and welcoming to foreigners, it is important to ensure that all people visiting this beautiful country take the proper precuations to ensure their safety.