Diane Sterling, Jamaica

"Orientation also was a lot of fun. VIF really does a good job welcoming you. And you get to meet teachers from all over the world who have come to the U.S. through VIF."

Diane teaches fifth grade at an elementary school in Georgia and serves in the leadership role of grade-level chairperson.

I knew that going to a new country to teach would be hard, and my first few weeks were tough at times. But I found a place to live, figured out my way around Atlanta, and life got easier every day! I think one thing that made the first few weeks easier was the help VIF gave all the teachers.

When I arrived in the United States, people from VIF -- what I call the VIF family -- met us at the airport. We immediately felt their warmth and friendliness. This made me feel reassured and very good, because I was a bit nervous traveling to a new country. I wasn't homesick for even a moment.

I attended VIF Orientation in North Carolina, and it was both educational and entertaining. It was educational in that they taught us so many things that prepared us for the first day of school. They taught us how a school is organized in the U.S., the paperwork we would have to complete and a lot about the expectations of American kids and parents. Since I was going to Atlanta, Georgia, I learned a lot about the Atlanta school system. During my first few weeks I used many of the things they taught us. When I arrived at my school, I felt much more confident because of VIF Orientation.

Orientation also was a lot of fun. VIF really does a good job welcoming you. And you get to meet teachers from all over the world who have come to the U.S. through VIF. At the Orientation farewell dinner, VIF asks all the teachers to share something about their country, either a song or a dance or a skit. I opened the show by singing the Bob Marley song "Don't Worry Ԃout A Thing." I think it made everyone feel better!

After Orientation, I went to Georgia. Again, the VIF staff met me when I arrived. My VIF local advisor already had some apartments for me to look at, and I found one the first day. That was great because the first thing I had worried about was where was I going to live.

At school, I have a lot of support from my principal and the other teachers. They welcomed me right away, which made me feel good. The kids are kids. They are basically pretty good, but it's important to establish yourself immediately. I'm off to a good start. Now any time a visitor comes into our class, all the kids stand and greet him or her -- standard behavior in Jamaica. I'm the only teacher at my school that does that, and I think the principal likes it.

For teachers considering coming to the United States, I would remind them that they only get one chance to make a first impression. Let professionalism be your guide. And believe in yourself and everything that you can do.

I want to thank VIF for the experience. They are an organized group, and they do things in a professional manner. You can depend on them.