The Beginning…

Hello! So, this is the blog that I will hopefully update frequently while I'm volunteering in the Peace Corps.

On April 29^th 2011 I was officially nominated for the Peace Corps as an English teacher. From what I've been told, if I am officially accepted I will be serving somewhere in Eastern Europe or Central Asia (see the link on the left) and I will be leaving in March 2012. During the application process that I started in early February I requested to be placed in Eastern Europe, so this it was great news getting the nomination for my preference.

I've been questioned constantly about volunteering and the process in general ever since I began applying. It's kind of overwhelming. People seem to be amazed with the news that I am going through with this. Maybe it hasn't hit me yet, but I feel very down to Earth about volunteering. It's just something that I've had on the top of my "bucket list" for a while.

For those who don't know about the Peace Corps, it is complete non-profit volunteer work. I'll work/live in a foreign country for 27 months where I'll teach English as a second language. I'm trained to teach social studies, so it will be interesting how well I can adapt. It's definitely going to be a learning experience both in the classroom and outside. My greatest strength is my determination and I think that it showed through in the application process. For those who don't know me, I'm a pescetarian (fancy word for a vegetarian who also eats fish). Depending on where I volunteer I may have to start eating meat again. I've been asked by my recruiter about it and I have no problems with a change in lifestyle. That doesn't mean I'll be forced to eat meat but in situations where it would be rude not to I will definitely take one for the team and show that I can acculturate. After all, this idea/adventure is bigger than me.

My next step is to try and earn an official invitation to volunteer. I'll be receiving medical, dental, and legal clearance paperwork to complete and it could take some time. In the mean time I will also be trying to volunteer at EWU in the ESL department so that I can learn how to be effective once I am in a foreign country around people who can't speak a word of English.

I think it kind of just set in a little bit… Imagine yourself in a place where nobody can understand you.


☮ & ❤