I am so excited for you to embark on this new adventure! Over these past two weeks, I experienced things I never thought I would ever have the chance to experience. I made new friends, connected closer with old friends, and learned so much about myself. I realized how blessed I truly am and learned more than I would have ever learned in a classroom. Even though this trip was fun and exciting, it didn’t come without its hard work and preparation. Here are a few things that I wish I would have known, learned along the way, and was told but didn’t think much of (which I wish I did):
– Bring more money than you think you will spend. You don’t want to be across the world and not have enough to get/do whatever it is you want/need.
– Bring snacks… and lots of them. You never know when you won’t be able to eat or if you’ll like what is provided.
– Bring bug spray. Don’t under estimate nature – it will prove you wrong.
– If you get car/motion sick (even in the slightest bit) bring Dramamine and pressure point bracelets – you won’t regret it.
– Girls: don’t worry about what you look like. It’s too hot and humid to maintain the look you tried so hard for.
– Ride a motorbike in Vietnam, you’ll have the time of your life – I promise.
– Don’t worry about bringing electronics, you won’t use them as much as you think.
– Bring things like word find, sudoku, cards, a book, etc for the plane – you’ll be thankful.
– Do your research on every place you will be going, including companies, people, culture and have questions to ask. Better to be safe than sorry.
– If you have to give any type of presentation, practice before hand. It will relieve stress later on.
– Be excited but don’t have expectations. They either won’t meet them or they will exceed them. Keep an open mind and be flexible – things will not go as planned and you’ll have to be okay with it and have fun anyway.
– Bring comfy clothes. You will never regret being comfortable – I promise.
– Understand the local currency because street vendors will try and rip you off.
– Don’t be afraid to bargain and walk away. Walking away just might get you the price you want.
– Remember that you are not in the USA. The wifi isn’t as good, be respectful of the culture, the food isn’t the same, there is a language barrier, etc.
– Bring a full first aid kit. You don’t want to need something you don’t have.
– Check the CDC website for needed medication or make an appointment with Taylor Health.
– For your free days, know what you want to do before hand.
– WATER – enough said.
– Be conscious of the things you can not have and take it seriously: ice, water, fruit with the outside (strawberries, apples, etc), fresh vegetables, etc.
– Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. You will experience somethings way out of your comfort zone and you just have to go with the flow and enjoy it all the while because it won’t last forever.