Here are a few things I hope you find helpful along the way:

1. Bring many USBs. Access to Wi-fi and Google Drive isn’t reliable; having a method of storing/exchanging information that doesn’t require these luxuries is crucial.
2. Get to know the Poly students. Whether you are lucky to have Polytechnic interns to work with every day or not, find a way to get to know some Poly students—go out to lunch with them, hang out on the weekends, and work with them if possible. They’re likely incredibly smart and have a lot to teach you, will give you a far more genuine perspective of Malawi than is attainable (I think) without getting close to any Malawians, and may be some of the kindest and most enjoyable people to be around that you’ve ever met.
3. Bring all the socks you own. They’re the “limiting reagent” of laundry.
4. Bring small hand sanitizer bottles. Paper soap was also helpful—you eat a lot with your hands here.
5. Learn Chichewa. Learn as much as you can! Not only is it useful and respectful, but it also will bring you closer to those teaching you. Often you’ll be laughed at (in a friendly way) when trying to use your Chichewa, but that just makes the process all the more fun.
6. Don’t make any assumptions. Be open and willing to learn—it will get you much further than trying to teach.
7. Bring a tape measure.
8. Get faculty/clinician feedback on your work, often. They know much better than you do what qualifies as good work and as a good idea, so use them! Work diligently to adapt your communication style away from the aggressive “confidence” of American communication—it won’t get you much honest feedback.
9. Explore the city and the country you are in as best you can. Within the realm of safety and reason, of course.
10. Bring Pepto Bismol.
11. Express your gratitude for those who are helping you. We found that baking did this well; by this point, we’ve probably hand delivered cookies to over a dozen different people, many of whom on multiple occasions. We’ve tried different desserts, and have received feedback on the tastiness of each baked good. The order (from most to least tasty) is as follows: chocolate chip cookies, banana bread with chocolate chips, apple pie, peanut butter cookies, banana bread, snickerdoodle cookies.
12. Bring sturdy shoes. They’ll take a beating. Also, bring tennis shoes or something similar for weekend excursions.
13. Pack a small sewing kit. The total number of holes torn in my pants is currently at 5.
14. Listen more than you speak. Listen to what those around you (who know better than you) deem as important needs to be addressed, and how they (faculty, Poly students, QECH staff) understand the problem and think it best be solved.
15. Bring duct tape.
16. Be thankful and humble. We received a loving, warm welcome from all those we met when we first arrived in Malawi—the Poly faculty, the Poly interns, the produce sellers, the security guards, the cleaning lady on our floor, and on and on. From what we’re told (and definitely from what we’ve observed), making all feel comfortable, happy, and welcome is an important aspect of Malawian culture. Don’t take this for granted!
17. Read some relevant books before you go/while in Malawi. It helps get the most out of the experience; Renata recently wrote a blog full of great recommendations.
18. Don’t expect to solve a huge problem. It’s silly to think doing so is possible in only ten weeks. Instead, be open to helping those around you in whatever way they need help, or solving a piece of a problem if that’s where you fit best. Keeping your mind open in order to help with whatever need presents itself allows you to utilize your own self effectively, and most likely learn the most as well.
19. Spend time in the hospital. Even a half day can provide you with critical knowledge for both current and future pursuits.
20. 10 weeks goes by too fast. Enjoy your time, and always be present—don’t let your mind get stuck anywhere else.