FAQs
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Holy Cross students celebrating the Holi holiday.
Working at Holy Cross/Saint Andre
Working at the Holy Cross School and the Saint Andre School
Q: What is the dress code while working at the schools?
A: Holy Cross:
Men - Semi-formal with dress pants (khaki or black) and a button down shirt (short-sleeved is accepted)
Women - Traditional dress is expected. Clothing will be purchased upon arrival, but it will take some time in the beginning to have the saris and salwar kameez tailored. American semi-formal dress is accepted for the first few months. A full sari (blouse, petticoat, and sari) is preferred once everything is tailored. You may wear generally acceptable clothing after school and on weekends. For women, this means that shoulders and knees must be covered.
Saint Andre:
Men - Semi-formal with dress pants (khaki or black) and a button down shirt (short-sleeved is accepted)
Women - Traditional sari is not expected. American semi-formal dress is accepted along with salwar kameez. Unlike at the Holy Cross School, teachers do not wear saris on a daily basis.
Q: What will I be doing at Holy Cross/Saint Andre?
A: Holy Cross:
Shift: 11:30am - 4:30pm Teaching positions will be determined upon arrival. Ranging from Class 6 to 8 you will be teaching English Language (Grammar), a Moral/Value Science course, and/or something relevant to your subject area. One will also be responsible for substitutions throughout the school day on an as needed basis. Tutoring boarders and working with the nursery school students before the noon shift and doing recreational activities after school is highly encouraged. Other activities will depend on your particular skills and talents and can be tailored to meet your needs.
Saint Andre:
Shift: 8:30am - 1:30pm Teaching positions will be determined upon arrival. Ranging from Class 3 to 12 you will be teaching English Language (Grammar), a Moral/Value Science course, and/or something relevant to your subject area. One will also be responsible for substitutions throughout the school day on an as needed basis. Tutoring boarders and doing recreational activities after school is highly encouraged. Other activities will depend on your particular skills and talents and can be tailored to meet your needs.
Q: Is there Internet access at Holy Cross/Saint Andre?
A: If needed, there are internet-ready computers available at both schools, but the expectation is that you will use the internet service available at the cottages where you will live. Service can be intermittent.
Q: Do I have to bring a lunch to work?
A: For both schools, you will return home for lunch, or purchase lunch from the canteen on the Holy Cross campus.
Q: What is the acceptable public dress code?
A: Men in Agartala are more or less free to dress as they please, though shorts are not as common unless one is playing sports. Women are expected to be covered: no shorts, short skirts or tank tops; modest casual dress is acceptable while covering both the shoulders and knees.
Q: Is there Internet access?
A: There is wireless access available at the cottages; however internet service can be intermittent.
Q: Are there facilities such as laundry, gym, etc.?
A: There is a washing machine at the cottages. The school has sports facilities, fields, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, and a weight-room. The community house in the Father's complex has a ping pong table and a few other facilities. The Holy Cross College has a small library where you can borrow books for personal reading.
Q: How do I get my meals?
A: The school has provided a cook for the cottages; she provides lunch and dinner, but not breakfast. You have access to the cottage kitchen (hot plate, stove-top, filtered water) and the kitchen with an oven at the community house down the road.
Q: Am I able to leave the cottages?
A: You can leave the area, however, we recommend that you do not travel alone or after dark unless by school vehicle. For the first few weeks, we recommend that you take advantage of the school vehicles until you feel comfortable with the downtown area. The school can provide a car upon request, with some restrictions. After you are more comfortable with the area, people, culture, etc., you will be free to travel the area on foot or by auto-rickshaw, more or less as you please, barring special circumstances.
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Medical Care
Q: Will I have access to medical care while I'm there?
A: Yes. All medical issues will be taken care of by doctors, who are approved and trusted by the community. Agartala has sufficient medical care for most situations that will arise. If you take any medicine on a regular basis, it is recommended that you bring it with you, because you might not find it on-site.
Q: Will I have access to dental care while I'm there?
A: Dental emergencies can be handled, but the travel insurance does not cover dental checkups, so routine care will not be possible.
Visitors
Q: May I have visitors during my service in India?
A: Your free time is considered your own to manage as you see fit. Keep in mind, space in the cottages really won't allow for visitors; however they are welcome either at the hotels in town or at the community house. They are expected to follow the rules of etiquette of the International Extension program and behave appropriately.
Visitors can stay at Hotel Ginger:
Ginger Agartala
Khejur Bagan
Airport Road, Barjala Mouja
Agartala
Tripura (W)
Phone: +91-381-230 3333
Fax: +91-381-230 3336