The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2013

58 JULY-AUGUST 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS A familiar Foreign Service scenario: arriving at a strange airport at 11 p.m. with no one to pick you up; opening the door to your completely unfamiliar new home and discovering the fridge has 6 eggs, a loaf of bread and a plate of brown- ies to satisfy your family of five for 24 hours; finding the welcome kit safely packed in boxes at 3 a.m. after 36 hours of travel. It doesn’t have to be this way. A good sponsor can change this all too common scenario with thoughtful preparation. As you may have experienced, first impres- sions of your new home and ideas about the community are made in the wee hours after landing. • The most important first step: volunteer to sponsor. If you have been at post 6 months or more, you are ready to share the knowledge you have gained about your post. Sponsor a new arrival that matches your family dynamic or someone who will live near you—both options have benefits. • Once you know who you will be sponsoring, reach out to them right away, provid- ing them with your personal e-mail address. Answer their questions, but also ask them about any needs or special circumstances. Offer support right from the get-go. Reply to their queries in a timely manner with a calm and sup- portive voice. • New arrivals can be anx- ious, so avoid sharing dirty laundry, spreading rumors or bemoaning something that is out of anyone’s control. Be blunt about the air pollu- tion, and suggest ways to deal with it. Be fair about the crazy drivers, while giving tips on how best to man- age the roads. Temper your suggestions with reasonable expectations and refrain from using the words “always, never, everyone, or no one.” • Offer any assistance you can from post. Do they have something they’d like to send ahead? Kids especially love to find familiar toys or snacks waiting in a new home. Keep sponsorship in the back of your mind during your regu- lar errands, especially at the grocery store. • Speaking of groceries, stock in enough of the basics (and any items your new arrivals have asked for) to last three days times the number of people arriving. This is important. Food is a stressor when there isn’t enough to tame a jetlagged starving toddler, teenager or adult! A good lasagna or other prepared meal is always appreciated (ask if anyone has food allergies). It is not your job to foot the food bill, so be sure to discuss repayment or if they want to set an expenditure limit before buying anything on their behalf. • Do a walk-through of their new home a day or two before they arrive. Do the keys work? Is the water distiller working? Does the alarm function? Ensure that the welcome kit is fully unpacked and ready for use, the beds are made and sup- plies are laid in. If a pet will be arriving, don’t forget the cat litter and food. • Leave a list of phone num- bers with yours at the top. Include the embassy, Post One, health unit, local clinic, vet, hair salon or barber, school and motor pool. • Leave some delivery menus, invite them to your home for dinner (if you are up for it, invite a couple of others, including the AFSA post rep), or plan to take them out. • Offer to keep them busy and help them through jetlag. A walk around the neighbor- hood, a visit to the local mar- ket, shopping mall, or school helps them to get their bear- ings, with the added benefit of keeping them awake. • And lastly, consider arrival day. Will they arrive a day before a long weekend when the city shuts down? Would they appreciate some DVDs, books or board games? Yes, it takes a little time to be a sponsor, but don’t be daunted. A good sponsor can help to ease arrivals into their new surroundings and create a positive first impression, something every post can be proud of. n Michele Hopper, an Army brat and FS spouse, has served in the Philippines, Togo, India and currently Jordan. Mom to four and co-community liaison officer at post, she understands the importance of having—and being—a great sponsor. Sponsors: Supporting New Arrivals Right from the Get-Go THE FORE I GN SERV I CE FAMI LY BY MICHELE HOPPER Take the new arrivals for a walk to a local shopping street or neighborhood. PHOTOBYDONNAAYERST