FEATURED STUDENT

My trip to Koenig was short, but served as a good introduction to the Koenig organization in India. It was a well-organized school and I plan to go back when I have more time to get more certifications completed. I went to the Delhi branch of Koenig for about a week, 4-5 actual days of class and took my MCDST exams. The professionals at Koenig were extremely efficient, well-organized, helpful, and amicable.

I had arranged my own flights and visa prior to booking the Koenig portion of my trip. The booking process went very smoothly with prompt and informative communications from Koenig. I arranged my deposit via bank wire transfer, which took a few days to arrive, but was a very simple process. I sent one last email to confirm my flight arrival before starting my journey.

I arrived in the Delhi airport, which is much like any other third-world country airport. I have traveled extensively and therefore was not surprised by anything I experienced in Delhi. The Koenig representative was there to greet me at the airport with an orange sign stating my name and the organization. This was definitely extremely helpful.

I decided to stay at the 4-star hotel, since I wanted to have a gym. I also was using my vacation time to go test for this certification, and have stayed in hostels on many occasions before, etc. I wanted a decent room to go back to at the end of the day and study in without problems.

The Koenig driver gave me my packet of info. and some local currency and took me to my hotel. I had also changed some money to Indian rupees while in Singapore. I stayed at the City Park Hotel. It was nice, the staff was very friendly and helpful. The gym was sufficient and had a low range of free-weights, a nautilus-style all-in one machine, a treadmill, stair-stepper, and cross trainer along with a few other pieces of equipment and benches. I stayed on the sixth floor and found that you still hear the noise from people who are coming and going at all odd hours of the night, from the street, and from people trying to get into your room from adjoining rooms. However, this hotel was a big step-up per say, when compared to others.

A driver arrived to pick me up each morning, times varied depending on traffic, and take me to the school. Koenig was clean, organized into various rooms, labs, and floors. There seemed a continuous flow of other students from various countries, all working in their own labs with instructors on various certifications. My instructor was intelligent, friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. I ended up going to the school for one-on-one training for approximately 4 or 5 days. I found that I really could have completed the course and tested though, in 2 or 2.5 days max as I had already been working with these applications for several years.

Koenig staff arranged a last day trip to Agra for me, as my flight left late at night and hotel check-out was at noon. It was a very good way to spend the last day. I took my luggage with me which consisted of one small carry on backpack. Traveling light is the way to go. I wasn’t concerned about leaving it in the car with the driver, as there was nothing I would worry about losing. I carried my tickets, passport, etc with me.

Agra – the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Marble and precious stone demonstrations, etc were really worth seeing.

The drive there took about 4 hours and the way back took about 5/6. He was an excellent driver, very professional, and really quite nice. I arrived back with a few hours to spare before my flight. Agra is just like any other tourist area in a third-world country and you deal with the same aspects. It didn’t bother me in the slightest though, as I have seen the same aspects in other places. I did hear some comments from other students that went though who enjoyed the Taj Mahal, but not the harassment from locals, etc. It’s a package deal! The Taj Mahal was a very impressive feat of architectural engineering and design and well-worth seeing.

I also went out on two of the evenings I was there to stop at the hospital for vaccination updates and to look for a shalwar-kameez. I went to the Max Hospital and the Apollo Hospital which is an internationally accredited hospital. My advice to you is to not go to any hospital while in India. Their standards of cleanliness and sterilization for even the simplest things are not even comparable to a hospital such as Bumrungrad in Thailand, or London, Germany, etc hospitals.

The prescription drugs (i.e. malaria pills) are quite cheap there, although you have to wait for 2-3 hours to see a doctor first to literally write your own prescription for what you need and have them sign it. I did purchase malaria pills for a future trip elsewhere. I did not get vaccinations, as their actual immunizations (vaccines) are not made with the same components as vaccines made in i.e. London, Germany, etc. Also, the sterilization standards were practically non-existent. I was already up to date on most of my vaccines from a previous Africa back-packing trip. I would recommend careful evaluation before deciding on any hospital visit there. If you do need vaccinations, they are very cheap but keep in mind they are not equivalent to western standards of vaccinations. If you do get them here, I’d recommend stopping at a pharmacy and purchasing your own sterile, packaged needles and rubbing alcohol and take it with you to the hospital and have them use your supplies.

I went looking for a shalwar-kameez (ladies Indian suit/dress) while there and did not find any until the last day. If you are looking to buy anything while there, I suggest asking a member of the Koenig staff where to go. I asked the people at my hotel and tried their suggestions, which did not end up having what I wanted. They were very helpful though.

I did travel as a female alone, which some people may be apprehensive to do. I would suggest being familiar with traveling alone. However, if you just want to come and do the certifications and nothing else, Koenig would escort you to and from your hotel each day, and to and from the airport. They also are very helpful if you want to arrange something else outside of school, and I am sure they would assist you.

Several of the other students spoke about going out to clubs, drinking, etc. at night. (the students meet in a common break room for lunch.) I don’t drink alcohol or club at all, so this was not an issue for me personally. Also, I was there to study and pass and those were my primary focuses.

I did get food poisoning once in India, which I anticipated. I never had a problem with the food ordered while at the school I choose curries, etc. I did get really sick from a piece of chicken I had from the hotel room service. Other than that, I had no problems with the food.

I found Koenig to be a very well-organized and efficient way to complete certifications. Everyone at the school was helpful, organized, efficient, professional, and friendly. I plan to go back for a longer trip to either Goa or Shimla to take MCSA/MCSE when I have more vacation time. I would recommend going to Goa or Shimla as opposed to Delhi if you are completing a longer course and have an extra day to spend traveling to and from. I heard reviews on both and all were positive for a bit better scenery and local environment.

I would highly recommend the school to anyone as a method of achieving certifications and receiving one-on-one tutoring with qualified personnel in a quiet, clean environment with on-sight equipment.

The excellent staff at Koenig asked me to be a featured student for their website. I definitely wanted to write a positive review for the school, especially regarding the staff, who were really fantastic! Due to security and privacy issues though, I did not want my picture or full name on the world-wide web. I cannot over-state how excellent the staff at Koenig was. They were friendly, professional, efficient, helpful, knowledgeable, and assisted with any inquiry or issue that you brought to their attention. I will certainly return.

J. D.