Apropriate Development

I recently volunteered with an organization by interviewing two students that want to do a study abroad program. As I was reading through the material on how to make my assessment as to whether or not they were worthy candidates for the program, I saw a mention of Peace Corps. The organization said that there are ten factors for successful intercultural adjustment, and I was to keep these in mind when interviewing. It also said that the Peace Corps used these or nearly identical characteristics. They are open-mindedness, sense of humor, ability to cope with failure, communicativeness, fexibility and adaptability, curiosity, positive and realistic expectations, tolerance for difference, positive regard for others, and a sense of self. At first I was puzzled by the sense of humor one, but then it became my favorite characteristic. It says that a sense of humor is important because in another culture there are many things that lead one to cry, get angry, or be annoyed, embarrassed or discouraged. The ability to laugh it off and not take one's self or the situation too seriously will help guard against sadness. Boy was this true for me and for many of those I know that have gone abroad. I think more people would have stuck out their two years of service had they had a little more humor!