A Few Days to Go...
The last year has been one of the most challenging and one of the most eye-opening years of my life. I went from being a "funemployed" woman with a college degree to realizing that while I'd learned a lot in four years that there was still so much I needed to learn. After applying for every job the came across my computer screen and searching far and wide for job search advice, I was hit with the message that I need some experience; something more than just a three month summer internship.
For me, joining the Peace Corps was something I never thought I would do. Since I studied International Development, I've become increasingly critical of development work and the harm that it can cause even if it's rooted in good intentions. I was, and still am afraid of becoming "one of those people" who I read about in class and then proceeded to roast in a ten page paper because they did something problematic. I also know that in order to change anything one has to understand how it works. So, in December of 2018 I decided that I would apply for Peace Corps, but only if I could find a position in which I could build on previous experiences, use either French or Hindi, and also learn something new. After scrolling through all of the open positions, I found a Secondary Education English teaching position in Guinea. Luckily, it fulfilled my criteria because I've had some experience teaching English through volunteering and interning, and Guinea's official language is French. I was accepted and interviewed shortly after applying and with the support of family, friends, and mentors I accepted the position.
Fast forward a few months, and I'm just days from embarking on my Peace Corps service. I'm feeling a whole mix of emotions, but mostly excited. For the last year, I've been in an environment where I wasn't able to grow and felt trapped in a place where there weren't many opportunities for me to pursue. While I'm doing my best to let Peace Corps tell me how it'll be rather than go in with any expectations, I hope that my service will give me a chance to both learn more about the sector of International Development and also allow me to grow and change for the better. It'll be hard to be away from what is familiar to me for two years, but I couldn't be more ready for a change. I can't wait to learn and figure out how I can make my mark on the world!
For me, joining the Peace Corps was something I never thought I would do. Since I studied International Development, I've become increasingly critical of development work and the harm that it can cause even if it's rooted in good intentions. I was, and still am afraid of becoming "one of those people" who I read about in class and then proceeded to roast in a ten page paper because they did something problematic. I also know that in order to change anything one has to understand how it works. So, in December of 2018 I decided that I would apply for Peace Corps, but only if I could find a position in which I could build on previous experiences, use either French or Hindi, and also learn something new. After scrolling through all of the open positions, I found a Secondary Education English teaching position in Guinea. Luckily, it fulfilled my criteria because I've had some experience teaching English through volunteering and interning, and Guinea's official language is French. I was accepted and interviewed shortly after applying and with the support of family, friends, and mentors I accepted the position.
Fast forward a few months, and I'm just days from embarking on my Peace Corps service. I'm feeling a whole mix of emotions, but mostly excited. For the last year, I've been in an environment where I wasn't able to grow and felt trapped in a place where there weren't many opportunities for me to pursue. While I'm doing my best to let Peace Corps tell me how it'll be rather than go in with any expectations, I hope that my service will give me a chance to both learn more about the sector of International Development and also allow me to grow and change for the better. It'll be hard to be away from what is familiar to me for two years, but I couldn't be more ready for a change. I can't wait to learn and figure out how I can make my mark on the world!
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