Over five days early this month, a group of 11 of us gathered at CUSO’s headquarters here in Ottawa. We came from across Canada (Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax) and we represented a range of demographics. We are also all headed to different corners of the world: Jamaica, Peru,Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

What united us was a sense of curiosity, a desire to help and a need to learn a whole bunch of stuff necessary to live and work in a different culture. I admit I was skeptical about the training. How can sitting in an office listening to presentations and doing activities help to live abroad?

But it was an amazing experience. (Our trainers were Al and Enid from a division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade called the Centre for Intercultural Learning, and Nicole from CUSO). There was a moment when I made the jump from thinking theoretically about what it will be like to actually thinking about how I might handle situations that I may not have encountered yet. That moment was both exhilarating and terrifying (along the lines of wondering what I am getting myself into?).

The training brought up more questions than answers, however. Like, what do we do if our workplace involves a culture of corruption? How do we share our adventures with people at home without perpetuating stereotypes if we have a negative experience? Our trainers reinforced the need for us to remain flexible and open to everything and to put aside our own cultural reference points. We also discussed culture shock, which most of us indicated we’ve been through before.

In other words, I feel as well-prepared as I can be. Having travelled quite a bit, I know that a successful adjustment means tempering all your expectations. For example, I’ve been told that the transportation system in Jamaica is more of an aspirational concept than an efficient service that involves buses arriving on schedule. In any case, I’m ready for it!

Four weeks from now, I will be off the ground, in the air, on the way to Kingston, Jamaica. Just prior to take-off, when a customs official in Ottawa asks what the purpose of this trip is, can I answer both business and pleasure? Because although I will be going to work there, this journey is already a source of happiness. 

CUSO International is sending me as a volunteer to work with a non-profit agency called Youth Opportunities Unlimited. YOU Jamaica works with young people (aged 10-19) through mentoring and career counselling with the noble goals of building self-esteem, encouraging them to stay in school and determining a career path. 

I spoke with the executive director (who will be my boss) via Skype for the first time yesterday. Her name is Mrs. Georgia Lewis Scott and we had a great conversation that was interrupted by the sounds of birds calling to one another. My role will draw upon my experience as a journalist and communications specialist as I help to implement a marketing and public relations plan. The goals are several: to raise awareness of this worthy cause, to attract additional funds and volunteers and to share my knowledge of communications with staff.

Over the next month, as I prepare to depart, I will talk more about what it takes to get ready for such an endeavour, about CUSO International and YOU Jamaica and whatever else comes to mind. I will also provide a link to my fundraising page, where you can donate to CUSO.

Thanks for reading and I hope you follow me on this amazing journey.