How to prepare for your year.

Everything is ready, you made your desition, paperwork was all done and the only thing left is: waiting for the date to come!

So, how do you prepare for leaving your country and getting into a new one? Here is what I think:

1.  Get to know your family. Skype and email them as much as you can! Don't get frustrated if they don't answer right away; North Americans lead busy lives, their work culture is very different than other countries. Plus think about this, if they need 45 hours a week of childcare and can afford it, they probably work a lot! They'll answer as soon as they can, but showing interest in the family will be much appreciated, I promise.  Besides it's a good idea to start planning activities, ideas, based on what you are learning from them.
2. What about the gifts? Oh, my... what a topic. What can you possible get them that they haven't already got there? After a couple of emails you will definitely know what your kids are into, is it dinosaurs, sports, arts & crafts or princesses? Get some ideas out of my next post.
   
   
3. What do I put in my luggage? Dude, let me tell you something, you are going to a country where you can get a T-shirt for 3 dollars, the answer is NOTHING.
   I'm just kidding, of course, you don't want to wear the same pants for one week, but I tell you, everything is very cheap, especially if you are from a country like mine (Argentina) where everything is ten times more expensive. You are not going to be driving right away to go to a store by yourself so at least take clothes for one week, and that's it.
   Oh, and don't you dare to buy a new suitcase, buy one here.
4. Driver's license situation. You need it. Unless you are in NY or maybe Chicago? Public transportation doesn't exist in the United States. They do have it, but it is not like Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Berlin systems that you can get anywhere at anytime. Without a car, you will depend on people to pick you up, and I tell you, you don't want that. So, make sure you ask your host family about this subject, are they going to give you a car? How is public transportation in their city?
   
   
5. How much money do I need to take?  You don't need much. When I applied to the program, I had to work hard to get the money to do it. So I couldn't take a lot of dollars to NY, and I was worried about it. There's no need. The company will provide you with all the food you need, so you'll only need money for your personal shopping. I'd say between 50 and 100 dollars is plenty. With less than that you'll be okay too. A drink, a chocolate bar, those things are like one dollar.
   If you want to buy a t-shirt, a souvenir during your free time in NY, you won't spend more than 15 dollars.
   If you want to visit any particular place or building you can check prices on their websites but it won't cost more than 30 dollars, plus you won't have the time to do more than one of them. I'd recommend you to walk around and fulfill yourself with the vibes off that magnificent city; depending on the time of the year going to buildings like "Top of the Rock" is pointless because of the number of people waiting in line or the fog that won't let you see anything.  

Note: Remember this is my point of view, i don't own the truth (yet?) nobody does!  I'd love to hear/read your opinion.