On arrival to the country of service

The first days in a new environment are often full of impressions, emotions and questions. This phase invites you to notice what is happening inside and around you as you settle in. It is a moment to reflect on how you feel in this new space, how you are adjusting, what is surprising or challenging. It’s time to explore how you are beginning to connect with others, the culture, and your role.

Use the guiding questions below to start this process. They are here to help you pay attention to your experiences:

• What emotions am I experiencing right now? How do I feel in this environment – energized, anxious, curious?
• What is helping me stay grounded or motivated in this new environment?
• What are my first impressions of myself in this new role?
• How connected do I feel here? What helps me feel connected here?
• What surprised or challenged me culturally in the first week? How do I know it’s cultural?
• How am I with others so far?
• Which competences have I already used?

You may answer these questions in your own way and follow whatever thoughts, images, or sensations arise. If a question feels especially meaningful, or if you want to look deeper into a specific experience, you can choose one of the suggested reflection methods below. The methods are not meant to replace your own inquiry - they simply offer structure, creativity, or extra depth to help you explore what you are noticing.

Ask yourself “What do I need right now?” and choose a method if you want to explore deeper:

Purpose	Method	You will need:
To make sense of my first impressions	First Impressions Polaroids	or or
To understand my emotions in the first days	Color & emotion log	or or
To observe and notice cultural differences	Other Culture Bingo	or
To check my feeling of belonging	Connection Meter	or
To clarify what I want to give and receive in this project	Give and Receive	or

Take your time with these reflections; they can help you feel more grounded as you begin this new chapter.