Expectations are defined as “the feeling of expecting something to happen”. We often dream about the future and play movies in our head trying to predict it. Who doesn’t?

Some questions to reflect on:

– How often have situations matched your expectations?
– Can you recall a situation when you were positively surprised with the outcomes?
– What about being frustrated by non-met expectations?
 

We try to avoid them, but the truth is: expectations will often visit us. We simply need to learn how to deal with it. It’s very positive to plan what we want for our life, set personal and professional goals. But the truth is there are many things which are not under our control.
 

Planning a cultural exchange program is amazing. We can enjoy it three times. All the planning and expectations pre-departure, our journey while abroad and later on upon return we continue to rejoice the great memories we built.
 

The quality of your experience and the memories you will bring back with you depend on how you will celebrate and value the positive situations you will face and how resilient you will be to overcome the challenges.
 

The time you will spend abroad, likely to any other situations in your life, will involve other people. Yes, we have the power to influence those around us, but we cannot control their actions. It’s important to remember that. We can only control our intentions, our own attitudes and mindset.
 

The key to a happy and successful stay overseas is related to your ability manage expectations about your program, those who you will meet and the circumstances around you.
 

“Again, it’s not about the reality, but how you react to it.”

While planning to live abroad, you will probably create expectations about your homestay, placement and the personal experiences you will have.
 

For example, students often imagine how their hosts will be. The house, their habits and structure. Families in Brazil are very diverse, our main criteria to select them concerns to the students´ safety and well-being. . Hosts could be a single person with a dog, a gay couple or a “traditional family” of a mom, dad and kids.
 

Living abroad is an invitation to be opened for the new. Being immersed in a different culture, is a chance to learn from diverse perspectives, backgrounds and interests.
 

Brazilians tend to be affectionate and protective, some students are not used to that, others will love that kind of treatment. That’s why it’s important to be sincere when completing your application.
 

If you are joining an internship, , remember that you will be abroad during a short stay, time will go really fast, in a country that you might not know the language, so you should not expect to become a master on the tasks to be performed. Training takes time, as well as getting adjusted to a new culture and work environment.
 

Specially because interns normally don’t have much experience in the field. Internships are meant to be a time of exploration, a chance to learn more about a field or industry, gain new practical skills and workplace experience. This is not your dream job, but a chance to experience yourself, to find out what you like or even what you don´t, so you can then better choose your career path.
 

Remember also, the main benefit of doing it abroad vs. in your own country is actually the chance of developing uniquely human skills, such as problem-solving, communication, resilience and intercultural competence, which are potentiated when you are exposed to a new environment.
 

“Try to be open to the new and, whenever possible, to create realistic expectations. Whether you will have a positive experience really depends on your reflection about your achievements and learning.”

If the homestay didn´t correspond to your original expectations, try to reflect on what you value. For example, you might love sports, and live with people who don’t like it at ll. Sports might be your strategy to connect with others and have fun. Be curious to understand and experience how your hosts fulfill that need. Ask them. Invite them to do what you like. Who knows? You might find a new hobby. Or you will at least learn more about yourself.
 

Be open, do what is under your control, ask for support when needed. Always remember to focus on the positive. This is an attitude which will help you not only during your time abroad, but throughout your life.
 

Rafaela Rolim is the Director of Be. She has been working in the field of cultural exchange since 2006 and started Brazilian Experience in 2009 due to her passion for Brazil and for travelling the world and meeting new cultures. She is responsible for the operational department, researching for new partnerships and innovative programs.