Pre-departure Training for Medical Volunteers
Tools: Articulate Storyline, Figma, Procreate, Canva, Miro, Teams,
Learning Objective: By the end of this training, learners will be able to identify, evaluate, and apply strategies for managing culture shock, maintaining personal health and safety, and engaging respectfully within a new cultural environment.
Outcome: Learners explored realistic scenarios that allowed them to analyse cross-cultural situations and reflect on their own assumptions and responses. Through interactive activities and guided journaling, they gained the confidence to adapt and problem-solve effectively in diverse contexts.
Impact: Participants developed stronger cultural awareness, emotional readiness, and self-management skills before departure. The training supported volunteers in arriving prepared, confident, and empathetic, resulting in safer, more respectful, and more impactful engagement in Zambian communities.
Audience
Medical volunteers preparing to work in Zambia as part of the i4Life programme.
Learners included healthcare professionals, students, and support staff with varied experience levels.
Training aimed to prepare participants for both professional and personal challenges — cultural, emotional, and logistical — before departure.
My Role
Led project management for a 10-member design team, guiding development through the ADDIE framework and maintaining progress with clear deadlines.
Facilitated SME interviews and collaborative sprint sessions, acting as the decider to align team ideas and ensure a unified design direction.
Oversaw design quality and implementation, ensuring the final training met learning objectives and delivered a cohesive learner experience.
Learning Theory
Incorporated Constructivist and Cognitivist principles to promote active engagement and personal meaning-making.
Used Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) to simulate real-world decision-making and strengthen transfer of learning.
Embedded elements of Reflective Practice to encourage self-awareness, empathy, and professional growth.
The Problem
Medical volunteers travelling to Zambia often felt unprepared for cultural differences, emotional challenges, and personal health considerations.
Pre-departure briefings focused heavily on logistics and procedures, leaving little space for reflection or self-awareness.
Many volunteers underestimated the impact of culture shock and lacked practical strategies for adapting to new environments.
There was a need for a more engaging, human-centred training that helped participants prepare mentally, emotionally, and culturally before departure.
The Outcome
Designed a blended pre-departure programme combining digital and in-person learning for medical volunteers.
Created interactive modules exploring culture shock, personal health, and safety through scenario-based learning and reflective journaling.
Developed drag-and-drop and dropdown activities to make key concepts practical and memorable.
Used infographics, storytelling, and game-like elements to sustain engagement and reinforce learning.
The result is a reflective, practical training that builds confidence, empathy, and readiness — preparing volunteers to work safely and respectfully within Zambian communities.
Development Process
Using the ADDIE framework, alongside academic research and SME insights, we designed a structured yet iterative pre-departure learning experience addressing volunteers’ real-world challenges.
Action Mapping
Identified key actions volunteers need to take before departure, including recognising culture shock, maintaining personal safety, and engaging respectfully. This ensured all content supported meaningful, behavioural outcomes.
Storyboarding
Mapped the learner journey through four key themes: Cultural Awareness, Culture Shock, Personal Health & Safety, and Support Systems. Created detailed storyboards and collaborative Figma boards to align tone, visuals, and interactivity.
Visual Concepts
Developed the look and feel of the training to align with the companies brand guidelines, focusing on clarity, warmth, and accessibility. Created a visual language consistent with i4Life’s brand and humanitarian ethos.
Interactive Prototype
Built and tested a clickable Figma prototype to assess navigation, flow, and engagement. Conducted peer feedback sessions to refine interactivity and ensure smooth learner experience.
Full Development
Produced the final blended training using Articulate Storyline, integrating scenario-based learning, drag-and-drop interactions, reflective journaling, and infographics. Combined storytelling with practical application to prepare volunteers mentally, emotionally, and culturally for their time in Zambia.
Scenario: Coping with Culture Shock
An interactive scenario where learners explore real-life challenges faced by volunteers adapting to a new environment. Learners make decisions, reflect on their responses, and receive feedback to build emotional awareness and adaptive strategies.
Exploring Zambian Culture and Traditions
Learners discover cultural norms, traditions, and daily practices through interactive exploration. This activity builds respect, curiosity, and readiness to connect authentically with local communities.