The Feeling of being Kiraak
Where royal Mughal heritage meets cutting-edge tech innovation — unforgettable moments that stay with you for life.
Hyderabad is a city that feels like a warm embrace. Known as the City of Pearls, it seamlessly blends royal Mughal heritage with cutting-edge tech innovation. Late-night drives with chai, laughter that stretches past midnight, and biryani that tastes better in good company — that's the Hyderabad experience.
AIESEC in Hyderabad has been operating since 1985, making it one of India's most established local chapters and a top-performing committee. With over 35 years of hosting exchange participants, Hyderabad knows how to deliver Kiraak Experiences — unforgettable moments that stay with you for life.
What makes Hyderabad unforgettable.
The Hyderabadi dum biryani is rice, marinated meat, and aromatics sealed in a handi and slow-cooked until the interior steams in its own moisture — a technique brought from the Mughal kitchens and perfected by the Nizam dynasty. The biryani at Paradise, Hotel Shadab, or Bawarchi represents a culinary tradition with no equivalent elsewhere in India. Eating it here, in Hyderabad, is the only genuine experience.
Charminar was built in 1591 as both a mosque and a victory arch, its four minarets framing the old city's skyline for four centuries. The surrounding bazaars — Laad, Moti, Patthargatti — have operated in its shadow since the Qutb Shahi era. Together they form one of the most coherent historic urban environments in South Asia.
Laad Bazaar, stretching from Charminar to Chowmahalla Palace, is four centuries of commerce compressed into a single busy street — bangles, pearls, embroidered cloth, and silver sold from shops that have passed through the same families for generations. The crowd, the noise, and the density are entirely genuine rather than performed for tourists. An afternoon here is one of the most vivid experiences available in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad's designation as World Green City 2022 — the only Asian city to win the award — reflects a real commitment to its 3,000 hectares of urban lakes and green corridors. KBR National Park sits within the HITEC City boundary; Hussain Sagar connects the old city and Banjara Hills with open water. The green infrastructure makes Hyderabad unusually livable for its size.
HITEC City houses the India offices of Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, and virtually every other major technology company, making Hyderabad one of the most significant tech hubs in the world outside the United States. The professional ecosystem is dense, global in culture, and accessible to well-networked exchange participants. Cyberabad, as the tech district is known, is a city within the city.
For three centuries, the Qutb Shahi sultans and Nizam dynasty made Hyderabad the global centre of the pearl trade — every significant pearl that passed through Asian markets came through here. The craft of pearl drilling, stringing, and grading is still practised in the lanes around Charminar. The Patthargatti bazaar remains the most concentrated and authentic pearl market in Asia.
The 5.7-square-kilometre Hussain Sagar was built in 1563 on a Musi River tributary — one of the oldest artificial lakes in India and now the centrepiece of Hyderabad's urban life. The 18-metre monolithic Buddha statue at its centre arrived by barge in 1992. The Tank Bund promenade, Necklace Road restaurants, and evening boat rides make it the city's most used public space.
Ramoji Film City — 1,666 acres, 50 permanent production sets, and a Guinness World Record as the world's largest film studio complex — produces content for Tollywood, Bollywood, and television simultaneously. The studio tour gives an extraordinary behind-the-scenes view of the industrial scale of Indian cinema. As a day trip from central Hyderabad, it is surprisingly fascinating even for those with no particular interest in film.
Everything you need to know before arriving in Hyderabad.
Arranged through your host entity. Options include staff quarters, PGs, and hostels — prioritised for proximity to your workplace.
Minimum ₹10,000 per month, varying based on your opportunity's included benefits. Hyderabad offers excellent value.
Excellent connectivity via cabs (Ola/Uber), bikes (rental), metro rail, and local TSRTC buses. The metro is fast and affordable.
A student visa is required for exchange participants. Your local committee will guide you through the full application process.
Hyderabad has world-class healthcare facilities. Your local committee provides comprehensive safety guidelines and 24/7 support.
Telugu and Urdu are the local languages, with Hindi and English widely spoken. Hyderabad's cosmopolitan nature makes communication easy.
Jio and Airtel offer excellent 4G/5G coverage across Hyderabad. Pick up a prepaid SIM at the airport or any authorised store with just your passport.
Dress modestly at mosques, temples, and heritage sites. Remove footwear at religious entrances. A simple "Adaab" or "Namaste" goes a long way with locals.
Three ways to experience Hyderabad through AIESEC.
A 6–8 week volunteering exchange for ages 18–30. Create real impact in Hyderabad's communities while experiencing its legendary warmth and hospitality.
A professional internship in Hyderabad's booming tech and business landscape. Gain real-world skills in one of India's most dynamic professional ecosystems.
Teach in Hyderabad's schools and educational institutions. Partner with organisations like DRS International and Edify World School.
Your dedicated team in Hyderabad, led by LC President Hari Mudiganti.
Reach out to our national team for any questions about exchanges in Hyderabad.
