Internship: Information related to coming in Bangladesh

Healthcare and Immunisation
Please contact your doctor well before traveling to Bangladesh in case of any immunisation requirement. It is strongly recommended that interns purchase medical insurance (at their own expense) prior to their departure for Bangladesh.

Communication
We advise you to be in touch with your Supervisor at BRAC from time to time to discuss and fine tune your internship and to have an idea about your internship schedule and what your role would be as an intern. You may discuss field visits, locations, distance, transport facilities, weather and request reading materials via email.

Accommodation
Interns are advised to start looking for accommodation way in advance of their arrival in Dhaka. The internship unit can provide support in arranging accommodation. However, unless otherwise agreed upon, interns are responsible for their own accommodations in Bangladesh and are advised not to depend on BRAC for this matter.

The Language Issue
Official language of Bangladesh : Bangla
Second Language: English Most BRAC staff can communicate fluently in English but once in the country, learning Bangla could help immensely for communication outside BRAC. In the field level, interns whose native tongue is not Bangla are recommended to take their own translators to the field to carry out their research. BRAC’s internship unit can aid facilitating a trained interpreter for your field visit, provided that the intern meets all related costs: accommodation, meals and transportation of the translator, translation fees etc.

Necessary Items for Bangladesh General:

• Three passport size photos for registration
• Laptop (preferably with wireless internet setting)
• Anti mosquito Spray
• Sunglass
• Raincoat and umbrella (for rainy seasons)
• Hand sanitiser
• Sun lotion / Sunscreen

For the field:

• Shoes for field
• Dry food
• Clip board
• Backpack
• Flash light
• Bug spray
• Bed sheet, pillow cover
• Flask to carry water
• Camera (preferably digital)

Facilities for Interns
To date, BRAC has hosted interns from all over the world as well as from Bangladesh and facilitated various kinds of support and assistances for them. These facilities include:

• Trained Translators.
• Subsidised meal at BRAC’s staff cafeteria (once registered and after obtaining the ID).
• Transportation at BRAC staff rate (conditions apply).
• Reports of former interns and of the Research and Evaluation Division of BRAC.
• Customised Bangla language classes organised by BRAC University.
• Institution wise support and guidelines from the supervisor.
• Logistics support from internship programme office.

Arrival in Bangladesh Arriving at Zia International Airport (Dhaka) Nearly all-international flights arrive at the Zia International Airport, Dhaka. Interns can ask for pick up services to the accommodation provider. They can make their own arrangements too.

Money and Banking The principal unit of money in Bangladesh is Taka (BDT), which is further sub-divided into 100 paisa. There is no ATM at Zia International Airport. There are, however currency exchanges counters/ branches of commercial banks, where international currencies and Traveler’s cheques can be easily changed. In the cities, ATMs and banks are available in the city and can usually access foreign accounts without much difficulty. Bangladesh is decidedly a cash-based society but credit cards are nowadays accepted in most hotels, restaurants, travel agents, and other businesses in urban areas.

Mobile Phone Connection There are many shops in Dhaka that sell mobile phone sets and pre paid SIMs. If you already have a cell phone that works in Bangladesh, you can get a pre-paid connection from any of the telecom companies (Grameen, Bangla Link, City Cell etc.), that are available at the local shops. There is also a ‘Bangla Link’ booth at the airport, where you can get a connection immediately after arrival. You would need to present two passport size photographs and photocopy of your passport to get the connection.

Registering with Your Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in Bangladesh  We advise our interns (foreign nationals) to register with their embassies in Bangladesh, as soon as they arrive. Once registered, the intern may be able to use some facilities provided by the embassy, receive updates and alerts about national emergencies and help in case of emergency evacuation etc. You can search the contact details of your country’s embassy here: www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Bangladesh