In addition to professional qualifications, successful Fellows and Specialists have other qualities that prove beneficial for a successful assignment: these include patience, determination, flexibility, teamwork, initiative and a love of adventure. Participants may have to deal with situations and conditions not common in the United States. Please consider the following list of possible living and working conditions of (some) assignments, but note that not all or any may apply. Depending on the assignment location and length, Fellows and Specialists may have to:

• Live or work in locations with unreliable electricity, heat, cooling, running water or other basic services, on a regular or unpredictable basis
• Live in apartments, residences, or hotels that are not accessible by an elevator
• Use non-western style restrooms
• Work or present in institutions that are not accessible by an elevator
• Share housing with others unrelated to the EL Programs
• Deal with lack of refrigeration on a regular basis, which may mean shopping daily for groceries
• Walk extended distances to get to host institution or stores
• Cope with high prices for basic goods (that are common in the U.S.)
• Rely on uncertain public transportation
• Contend with labor strikes (teachers, transport, etc.) or other civil unrest
• Experience long waits and bureaucracy
• Endure isolation, lack of communication with outside (poor internet / telephone / mail)
• Live or work in extremely hot or cold climates
• Endure long periods of seasonal darkness
• Encounter dietary differences
• Use medical facilities with limited resources
• Face anti-American attitudes or hostility
• Handle uncertainty or ambiguity
• Tolerate religious differences
• Adapt to different gender roles and expectations
• Experience intolerance based on sexual orientation or towards domestic partnerships and cohabitation
• Speak the native language to some degree of proficiency or fluency
• Handle long hours and a demanding schedule that requires planning for presentations before arrival in country and during off-time
• Adapt to unexpected unavailability of promised facilities or equipment
• Adjust to unfamiliar or less than favorable pedagogic practices and environment 
• Work with unsupportive local administrators or colleagues
• Travel frequently with limited down time between destinations
• Attend numerous formal and informal professional and social events

Some countries or projects require that the Fellow or Specialist not:

• Be insulin dependent (laws against self-inoculation; product not available in country, etc.)
• Have any health concern that would impede duties
• Be accompanied by children, dependents, or pets

Fellows and Specialists are responsible for obtaining their visas. Therefore Fellows and Specialists must be willing to comply with local visa requirements which may include but not be limited to:

• In-country physical examination
• Background security checks
• HIV tests
• Proof of marriage (if traveling with partner)
• Other applicable country specific requirements