Students live on campus in double-occupancy rooms.
Each room is equipped with two beds, desks and dressers.
Rooms are shared with Indian, international or American students - depending on your interest and availability.
The partial meal plan includes 5 dinners per week at the Symbiosis cafeteria.
The cafeteria serves a choice of Indian staples.
There is, of course, a myriad of restaurants and cafes to choose from in Pune.
Compared to the USA, the cost of food is inexpensive.
The International Office, KEI and the International Students' Council organize a variety of activities, including cultural events, parties and sports.
Students are encouraged to become engaged in campus life and participate in planned activities.
Students spend much of their free time with friends and exploring the intricacies of India.
Pune offers historical landmarks such as palaces, temples and monuments as well as modern entertainment...
Cinemas playing Hollywood and Bollywood movies
Classical music
Discos and pubs
Shopping malls
Coffee shops and cafes
Restaurants to suit all tastes
Gardens and outdoor activities
Osho International Meditation Resort
Public transport in Pune consists of autorickshaws, buses and trains.
In general, the transportation system is safe and reliable.
Autorickshaws, or motorized tricycles, are the most convenient form of transportation.
It is easy to flag one down - they are everywhere.
Pune BRTS is the first Bus Rapid System in India.
Buses within the city and its suburbs are operated by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML).
Fares are very low.
Public and private buses also run to major cities throughout India, especially Mumbai.
Pune has two rail stations.
Local trains (EMUs) connect Pune to the industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad and the hill station of Lonavala.
Daily express trains connect Pune to Mumbai, Howrah, Delhi, Jammutawi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and so on.
KEI will provide you with a prepaid mobile phone handset shortly after you arrive in Pune.
The phone will have a small amount of credit to get you started.
You can purchase additional minutes at most convenience and grocery stores.
The onsite staff will show you how to place calls.
High-speed internet access is available on campus.
Usage is free and unlimited.
Prof. Gokul Narayan, KEI's Onsite Director in Pune, works closely with the staff at the International Cell of Symbiosis to assist students during the program.
Gokul is assited by Disha Mangsuli, the KEI Student Assistant and a student at Symbiosis University.
Visit the KEI Staff page for more information about Gokul and Disha.
On arrival, students will be met at the airport and transferred to campus.
A comprehensive orientation will introduce students to life in India and cover the following topics:
using public transportation
registration
academic expectations
safety and security
cultural adaptation
social activities to meet your fellow students
The onsite staff also plans cultural excursions and organizes social events to help students integrate into Indian society.
Be sure to ask Gokul and Disha for help if you need it!
