Arriving in a foreign country can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. You’ve made it through the whole preparation and pre-departure process (congrats!) and it’s finally time to get started. You may want to hit the ground running, but it’s important to take things slowly and allow yourself time to adjust to your new surroundings and gain insight into how things work, as it’s likely quite different to what you may be used to at home. Prepare yourself to recognize the signs and stages of culture shock and be patient with yourself as you experience it. There’s no way around that one.
Once you begin to adjust, it can be helpful to consider different ways you can integrate into your local community and how you might deal with some of the challenges that you will inevitably face. Learning how to stay healthy and safe in your new environment is also very important-- it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your personal well-being. Keeping in touch with family and friends will likely be a priority. Luckily there are many inexpensive ways to remain connected.
As you start to engage in your daily volunteer activities, there are some simple steps you can take to improve your effectiveness on the ground. Check out our DOs and DON’Ts list to make sure you are on the right track. Your time abroad is also a fantastic opportunity to gain new experiences and skills and develop future career goals and prospects. Make the most of your experience by taking advantage of any learning opportunity that comes your way and networking as much as possible. You never know when a personal relationship will help you get your foot in the door.
