[ID:8892] Make every effort to speak to others who have lived in the country where you will be stationed, suggests one manager working for a consulting company in Africa:

"Before you leave, make every effort to speak to another family — husband, wife, kids — who have lived in the country. Prepare for this interview well, list all your questions, concerns, fears, no matter how silly they may seem. Preferably, speak to someone not in your own organization, to avoid any bias. And if you are in the private sector DO NOT speak to a diplomat. They have no concept of what real life is like in these countries. They live in an isolated environment protected by special concessions made for the diplomatic corps."

Give some thought to the possessions you take abroad, advises one volunteer in Malaysia:

"After dragging luggage around on my way here, paying excess baggage and storage charges, I'm convinced that volunteers should be encouraged to bring nothing which cannot be carried in a small backpack. Much...