Everyone knows at least one ‘Poncho Guy.’ He’s your friend who has recently returned from six months in Mexico or Bolivia and even though he´s now back in urban Flagstaff, he refuses to take off his poncho.
Long term travelers become so immersed in cultures that they often bring home physical versions of their experiences. We all know those people who come back sporting new accents, tattoos, clothing or hair styles. Remember that girl with the Maori turtle tattoo she picked up in Fiji? Or your friend who can´t drop his new-found Australian surfer accent?
Really, none of these new additions are bad, they are just manifestations of months and sometimes years of effort connecting with foreign cultures. However, despite the draw of certain cultural distinctions, oftentimes it’s smart for volunteers to remember to maintain their own individuality.
While away from home, it´s important to apply bits of your prior life and habits. Holding onto pieces of your pre-volunteer lifestyle offers several benefits. First is your balance and sanity. Many new arrivals get burnt out when they not only move into a new environment and work space, but also rush to erase everything they previously knew in exchange for new languages and habits.
Second, it typically gives your new hosts’ great pleasure to witness what makes you different. They are curious to see and hear about where you come from, how you cook and what you dress like, rather than seeing a tall, white version of themselves dressed up in a poncho.
Lastly, keeping some of your old habits alive helps you stay connected with the same focused person you were when you set out. Sometimes volunteers can lose track of priorities; spending time remembering to celebrate your differences can help ensure that doesn’t happen.
My fellow volunteers and I often discuss the importance of exercising old routines. Whenever my one friend is around the Internet, she chooses to download her favorite BBC podcasts. I used to enjoy spending time at the gym, so I purchased a pair of running shoes to supplement my fitness. My girlfriend and I have made a point of cooking on our own every Thursday evening in order to continue our traditional weekly date night. Of course, the things which we enjoyed doing back home have been adjusted slightly for rural Peru. However, adapting old tastes in a new setting has been greatly helpful for finding balance abroad.
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