Living & Working In A Developing Country

Living and working abroad can be a fantastic experience. Many people find it difficult to adapt to a new culture, but good pre travel planning and preparation is usually helpful.

Pre travel arrangements:

• Culture shock is common – try to learn a little about the language and culture before you go. Monitor the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice / information. Try and talk to others that have worked in the area about their experiences, they may be able to offer some useful advice. Consider whether this trip is suitable for you, do you adapt well to change?
• Seek advice about vaccinations / malaria tablets well in advance. Discuss taking a standby malaria treatment if you will be travelling away from reliable medical help. Have dental / health check ups in plenty of time before you go.
• Research local health care facilities, and consider what you will do in an emergency. If a company is sending you out, check their medical support arrangements.
• Consider going on a first aid course and buy a first aid book to take with you. Take a comprehensive first aid pack and sterile medical equipment (needles and syringes etc). Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation, this charity aims to get properly screened blood to its members in an emergency situation. To join visit www.bloodcare.org.uk.
• Consider how you will treat water in the area, tap water in many countries is not safe to drink.

At the destination

• Try to make friends with the local population as well as other expatriates. Be patient with cultural differences and limit your expectations (tasks often take much longer to complete in developing countries).
• Accidents and injuries are common; check vehicles are properly maintained and wear seatbelts. Check balconies and swimming pools are suitable for children.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites from around the home, fill in ditches and remove rubbish. Screen windows and doors and take impregnated bed nets. Take care with food water hygiene. Protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays with hats, clothing and sun screens (especially with children). Children playing outside should wear appropriate footwear to avoid bites, stings and parasite infections.

On return home

• Be aware that many people experience reverse culture shock, fitting in to the old routines back home can be difficult.
• Depending on where you have been, consider whether you need a check up for schistosomiasis (a parasite infection contracted by swimming / wading in fresh water rivers and lakes).