Preparation for the project and the field work

After dozens of hours spent on reading articles and watching presentations about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), In-country Capacity Building, Consulting, Cultural Diversity in the Asia-Pacific region - I could finish the last chapter of my online training few days ago.

I'm officially prepared for the journey which will start day after tomorrow and probably changes my life.

How has it started? I had applied for the project of my dreams and they have selected me in July 2013. Then I had to wait for some months till the details of the assignment.

3 months ago I've received the e-mail with the following:

"Congratulations!  You've been accepted to IBM Corporate Service Corps Indonesia #5 team."

The message has driven me crazy - the country, the opportunity and the future atmosphere...

12 skilled IBMers from around the globe, with lots of opportunities to learn from them and to brainstorm together.

Time was passing by, I was going through the compulsory modules and trainings - it was a really difficult period, because of the Year End which is really demanding here in the center.

I need to say thanks for my colleagues, Bea, Moni, Anita and Peti who could back me up in emergency and they will do so during my absence.

January has arrived, the "silent period" in my team, so I could focus much more on the educations and the weekly conference calls. Information was flooding. We have received our logistics guidance, our handbook about Indonesia and it's business culture plus some hints and tips from in country managers (security, business, etc).

And finally there are less then 100 hours till my flight to Doha and then to Jakarta.

I've said hello to colleagues and friends (some friends of mine also made a "farewell boardgaming event" before my departure - nowadays boardgaming is my main hobby and I'm planning a little surprise for my future Indonesia project team too :) )

I have tons of things to do and prepare, but I enjoy every second of the preparation!

Everybody asks about my luggage, and the answer is NO, I haven't prepared it yet - I'm postponing it till the day before the departure. :)