Every volunteering experience is also an intercultural journey. Even in a short time, you’ll meet new habits, values, and ways of communicating. This reflection helps you pause before you go, to notice how you approach differences, what excites you, and how you can stay open and curious during your experience.
What you will need:
- A sheet of paper
- Pen/pencil
- Optional:
Instructions:
- Draw a window frame - or, if you’re working on a computer, make a simple table - and divide the rectangle into four equal panes, each containing a guiding question for reflection. Or you can download a template here (656.88 kB, pdf).
- Take some reflection time for yourself and answer the following questions:
Top left: What do I already know or expect about the country I’m going to?
What do I think I know about the host country, its people, or culture? Where did these ideas come from?
Top right: What do I bring with me?
What knowledge or experiences in another culture do I carry with me?
What personal strengths might help me in an intercultural setting?
Bottom right: What feels uncertain or challenging?
What situations, customs, or differences make me feel unsure or nervous?
What would I like to understand or learn more about?
Bottom left:
What am I looking forward to learning, seeing, or trying in this new environment?
What aspects of culture or communication do I want to understand more deeply? -
Share (if you feel like)
Find another person (another volunteers or someone from the organisation) to share your window - something you look forward to and something you feel uncertain about.
Here are some guiding questions for sharing if you like:
What did you notice about your expectations for the country you’re going to?
How do your assumptions influence what you “see” through the window?
How can you keep your window open to new perspectives during volunteering?
Guidance for mentors/facilitators:
- This reflection helps volunteers become aware of their expectations, assumptions, and feelings before entering a new culture. The goal is to build curiosity and openness - not to test cultural knowledge or predict experiences.
- Encourage them to use colours, symbols, or short words instead of full sentences. This keeps the reflection visual and intuitive.
- Remind them that mixed emotions (curiosity and worry, excitement and uncertainty) are normal — this balance is part of intercultural learning.
- Lead a brief sharing session with questions such as:
- What did you notice about your expectations and emotions?
- How can you stay open and curious when faced with cultural differences?
- How can the group support each other in this process?
- Highlight the link to solidarity — understanding others begins with openness to difference.