In a time where global humanitarianism is growing, are our good intentions enough? While novel cultural experiences can present fascinating opportunities for personal growth, many underestimate the challenges in serving in a cross-cultural context. Failure to prepare ourselves for the rigors of serving in a developing country can lead to disappointment and frustration. How can we harness the great potential of our increasingly passionate, globally-minded and socially-conscious generation, to be truly effective global health change-makers?