Act like a tourist, without the hipsack.
So you’ve just accepted your first short-term contract as a traveling therapist, now what? Well, just like the boy scouts, always be prepared. Whenever you are entering a new contract and headed to a foreign city it would be in your best interest to do a little research on your temporary home, just as you would if you were going on a vacation. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your next destination and I promise you it will be a far more memorable experience than you ever anticipated.
So where do you start? Well, the first place I would check is that cities Convention and Visitors Bureau and thank goodness for the internet. Check out the site, OfficialTravelGuide.com. There you will find connections to all major cities CVB. These city sites usually are a great start to finding out what all your new city will have to offer you. Check out your own hometown’s site, you may even discover something about your town you never knew existed. The CVB’s will give you a brief history on the town and provide links to many attractions, events, dining and so much more. Another great resource for information on your temporary home are the local publications like the newspaper and free rags. These typically have a wealth of information regarding local happenings. Here’s a link to most of the nations newspapers, Newslink.org. Another great resource for discovery are the old tried and true travel books and guides you can find at your local bookstores and libraries. Make sure you find the most current ones though, it is possible that what was there is no longer.
After you’ve accepted your new travel therapy job try and give yourself a little bit of time to spend in your new surroundings before you actually start working. If you can, try and arrive a few days early and set foot on exploring what your new home will have to offer. In most major cities you will find that there are various tours available, either guided or self-guided. Ride your bike around your new neighborhood, take a walk, whatever means you have to get out there and see the sights and don’t forget your camera, but leave the hipsack at home! You don’t wanna be that person…
You will soon discover that taking on a traveling therapy job will land you in many different places and each has its own worth. You will meet many new faces and visit many new places. Each city you visit you will surely come away with a new experience that will fill your memories to last a lifetime. So get out there and see what a traveling therapy job and this great nation has to offer you. Happy trails.
