Know Before You Go: Meet Someone Who Knows

First of all... Happy Fourth of July! (if you're in 'Merica)

The number one thing I wish 'd pursued sooner was finding someone who had lived in South Korea for an extended amount of time. So much of what we think we know about a place is hearsay and half truths. The internet is a fabulous place to get connected with people who have been or are still on the ground doing the exact same things we'll be doing once we arrive in our specific region. If you don't know where to start ask offline. The second cousin of the friend of your Aunt's brother-in-law always knows someone who's been someplace. Ask to be put in touch with former study abroad students at your university. If you're working while abroad contact your program and ask if they have an employee network. Search blogs, forums, websites, and Youtube for any local to foreigner, or foreigner to foreigner advice on the region.

Once you get in touch with someone make a list of ten or more questions about very specific things--this is not a time to be general. Be aware that every experience you hear is not necessarily going to be YOUR experience. That doesn't mean you shouldn't listen, it just means you can't treat personal stories as gospel. Compare and contrast stories you hear, eventually you'll be able to compare and contrast them with your own stories, and you're going to have some really great ones.