When your bag is lost, be optimistic.
When your day starts at 2:30am, be ready.
When you're asked to check your brand new backpack with all of the most important things in your life because apparently it won't fit in the overhead compartment, be understanding.
When your flight is delayed (again), be patient (again).
When you arrive in a forgien country to find your shampoo exploded and there's a slash in the bottom of your brand new backpack with all of the most important things in your life, be calm.
When the heat index is 115 degrees, be cool.
When you meet the country staff, be open.
When you have a 2 hour long discussion about diarrhea, be taking notes.
When you brush your teeth, be sure to use bottled water.
When the wifi doesn't work, even though it worked yesterday, be tolerable.
When you have to say goodbye to your family because God knows when you'll have wifi next, be strong.
When you get dropped off at your rural training community, be curious.
When you realize how terrible your Spanish is, be willing to keep speaking.
When the initial shock wears off and you start to question yourself, be determined.
When flies come out of the latrine hole, be very, very careful not to look down.
When you're covered in bug bites, be sure to take your malaria pills.
When you're certain you look terrible by American standards, but you don't care, be proud.
When you've gained weight ALREADY because despite being surrounded by lime, mango, papaya, apple, coconut, and even more tropical fruit trees, the only foods you eat are tortillas, beans and rice, be willing to let your pants out.
When your host brother is blasting Phil Collins and it reminds you of your mom so you start sobbing, be quiet (or at least try).
When the culture shock is almost too much, be able to stick it out. Thousands apply, only few get in.
But everyone gets diarrhea.
