When you first arrive in your teaching country there are a couple important considerations:- Clean yourself up
- if you are being met by someone from your school its generally a good idea to clean yourself up BEFORE you come out of customs. A quick hair check, teeth check and freshen up.
- Know where to go
- make sure you get the address of where you live or where you are staying AND where you are working written down for you in the local language. Get it written for you to sound out phonetically and well as it written properly for a local to read. Carry these addresses with you ALWAYS.
- Get rest
- it’s hard not to want to explore and get in amongst it immediately but realize that this isn’t a vacation, you are going to be there for a while. Get some rest so you are refreshed and so you can be on top of your game.
- Greet your neighbours
- this can be REALLY intimidating, especially if you a generally a shy person but it is REALLY important to set up your network. This is important if you need help with anything down the track but also in setting up a friendly living environment. Just go over and say “Hi, I just moved in. My name is XYZ. I just wanted to introduce myself.” If the conversation grows from there so be it. I do not recommend taking a gift for this first encounter as that puts pressure on your neighbour to reciprocate.
- Find your local shop
- breakfast comes fast and if your fridge is empty you are going to need a loaf of bread or something to help kickstart your day. Yes, this can wait and you can go out for breakfast but it is a real bummer if you wake up at 3am and everything is closed and you are STARVING. Get a couple simple provisions to tide you over til you can do proper setup shopping.
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