It began harmlessly enough -- as an opportunity to spend two years as a Community Service Volunteer in a developing country in the Caribbean. What could be a better initiation for a newly-minted college graduate, ready to test the waters of the real world? After all, it was only going to be two years of separation from friends and family--an adventure to embrace and savor, and certainly not an opportunity to let slip by.
For Ruth Olbrych, this two-year contract miraculously expanded to become the start of the most significant 12 years of her life. Ruth is currently Membership Chairman of IWAT, an acronym which might cause one to envision an international version of a SWAT unit, but which actually stands for the International Women's Association of Taichung.
The organization is 71 members strong, representing 12 different countries. Members are involved in community service, special interest activities and excursions to cultural sites. As the representative for membership, Ruth draws upon her years of experience abroad to share with newcomers what has worked for her getting adjusted to an unfamiliar land.
As she left on her first sojourn to live abroad, Ruth was not a stranger to foreign travel. She had already been to Haiti with her family several times since the age of 12 and, by the time she graduated from college, she set off on her own journey to live in Haiti. At that time, she was well-versed in what would be her role -- that of public relations for a Christian service group involved in community service in Port-au-Prince, a city of about one million people.
But, Ruth recalls, nothing could have prepared her for the culture shock that came along with the actual relocation. An example of this adjustment occurred her first year when she had to spend Christmas in Haiti, alone. "My job required that I stay in town as I had two large tour groups of teenagers arriving for which I responsible," she recalls. Her experience might have fit well into a Lonely Planet guidebook as she experienced he first "Christmas on a shoestring."
"I bought a small artificial tree and decorated it with ornaments purchased locally. That was the first of 11 holidays she has now spent in tropical climates.
Ruth began living abroad in an almost Peace Corps-type of position as a volunteer in Haiti. Her role then evolved as she extended to a third year and met her husband to be.
"Three years quickly turned into five," Ruth recalls. "During this time I got married, made plans for an export business to support the local economy, got pregnant, and prepared to move to Boston, Massachusetts, where my husband's company was based."
She left the first chapter of her overseas life having transitioned to the roles of both entrepreneur and expatriate spouse which, she admits with a solemn voice, provided a unique set of adjustments. After returning home for a brief time, Ruth and her family waited for their next chance to live abroad.
Good karma was with the Olbrychs as the opportunity to move to Bangkok, Thailand materialized. This chapter of their overseas experience had a much different flavor. Ruth was now helping head up a family of five, three of whom were preschool age. They exchanged a Canadian City a bit smaller than Taichung for a metropolis of more than 10 million people. Visions of elephants sauntering down the streets, notoriously delectable Thai cuisine, and cosmopolitan neon lights danced in their heads. Ruth read the Bangkok Guide, by the Australia and New Zealand Women's Group "from cover to cover." Three bits of information stood out in her mind: "The first was, wear cotton underwear, as it really does help in the hot weather. Second, never wear unrelieved black as it denotes mourning. Thirdly, don't sit at home waiting for the Welcome Wagon to arrive," she says. Setting the first two tidbits aside, Ruth focused on the third by meeting all sorts of people. She joined women's clubs, chatted with moms at the kids' school. She made herself known by being "out there" and it worked. Bangkok soon became an authentic home. Five years went by before it was time once again to move on. Ruth's husband made a change in companies and the Olbrychs landed in Taichung.
The Taiwanese have been extremely helpful over time in assisting Ruth and her family with getting settled, she says. The shift from large metropolis to more of a provincial setting provided advantages and challenges as did the introduction to Chinese culture and language. "The reality of living in a smaller environment hit me in ways I fully unanticipated," she admits. Since moving to Taichung two years ago, Ruth and family have learned to accept Taichung on its own merits, appreciating it for what it is. Traffic is civilized compared to a larger city, she explains, adding that there is time to really focus on family and home life. By encouraging her family to have a positive outlook and create opportunity where there may not be any to begin with, Ruth has helped to create yet another home on foreign soil.
Ruth's advice to newcomers in Taichung (aside from checking out IWAT!) are what she defines as "handles" or points of reference we may use in any new environment to help create a more meaningful experience: 1) Have a purpose or goal -- make the most of your time living in another culture and view the world through a broader perspective; 2) Make the move "lock, stock and barrel" if you can -- bring things which help to create a personalized home abroad; 3) Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be overly optimistic and downplay the bad times. (Remember, there will be bad days anywhere you are but they will pass); 4) Don't be brought down by those who insist on being negative; 5) Give yourself time to settle in -- remember, at a minimum it takes about six months; 7) Be fair to your new country -- don't place blame for common life occurrences (marriage, having kids, changing jobs, etc.) on your new host.
In Taichung, Ruth continues to be a resource for those seeking assistance through her work with IWAT. She was instrumental in creating a coffee morning with "helpful hints" for newcomers as part of IWAT's offerings. In the coming year, she hopes the club can offer an even more personal outreach to those who are new, have experienced significant life events such as marriage, birth, illness, etc., or just need support. Of course, volunteers are needed to help new ideas become a reality. To find out more about how to become involved in IWAT you may contact Ruth at 239-7643 or Denise Bordieri, President of IWAT, at 461-2722. October's luncheon will be held at The Landis Hotel on October 14.