There are two schools of thought on studying the foreign language of your host country on your own a bit prior to arrival. Some say it's a good idea and some say don't waste precious time.
The latter thinking makes sense as what little valuable time we have left, it should ideally be spent with family and friends. Enjoying quality time trumps learning all the 9 different classes of noun and memorizing all its prefixes, infixes, agreement rules and whatever other grammatical structure that this language from its Bantu root will drive you crazy.
Although personal safety in a different culture is relied heavily on language integration, it would behoove volunteers to get a head start even though Peace Corp's language training is hardcore and top notch. Supposedly, it's world class language training. Being a polygot, this was definitely an extra advantage of wanting to be involved with the Peace Corps. Foreign language to me is not dull laborious work; it's sexy and exciting!
If I feel like it, I'll peruse a borrowed book from the library, if not ...as they say in Swahili: hakuna matata! Or as Pumba taught Simba in The Lion King, don't worry!
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