Essay #1

Essay #1

Thank you for the time you have taken to thoughtfully and accurately answer the previous questions. The following essay questions will provide the Peace Corps with additional information and insights that will be used to assess your suitability for Peace Corps service. If you are invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer, your responses will be shared with staff in your country of service. (Between 250 – 500 words)

Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. You have provided information on how you qualify for Peace Corps service elsewhere in the application. In the space below, please provide a statement (between 250 – 500 words) that includes:

Your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer; and

How these reasons are related to your past experiences and life goals.

How you expect to satisfy the Peace Corps 10 Core Expectations (please be specific about which expectations you expect to find most challenging and how you plan to overcome these challenges).

The primary reason for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer is that I truly enjoy doing something in life that touches others.

Following high school, I intended in double majoring in American Sign Language (ASL)-English Interpretation and Early Childhood Multicultural Education. I took several classes for both majors until I decided to focus on becoming an ASL Interpreter and dropped the Education major. Though I did receive my B.A. in ASL-English Interpretation and work actively as an interpreter, my desire to become a teacher never faded.

I thought for some time about applying to become a volunteer but there were factors I had to consider first. The idea of being “alone” in another country intimidated me. This is why I decided to serve as a volunteer in Peru to prepare myself per Expectation 1. What once concerned me turned out being the most uplifting experience of my life, only fueling my desire to be a volunteer.

            I have a sense of adventure and want to wholeheartedly give myself to a developing community and use any resource I have to serve them however they may need. I know this experience will be challenging but I have the drive and passion to conquer the intimidations. I am happiest when helping others.

One of my greatest passions is learning languages. In my opinion the true way to master a language is to embrace its culture as well. Serving as a volunteer would provide an opportunity to be immersed in other cultures and possibly learn new languages. I am fluent in ASL and Spanish, which could be beneficial in developing the trust of my host community per Expectation 4. Also, serving in a country that speaks something other English or Spanish would provide the opportunity to become fluent in various languages. Being able to speak multiple languages would help me serve a broader spectrum of communities to fulfill Expectation 10.  I postulate that one of the best ways to honor my host community is to use what I have learned there to continue forward to succor more people.

My little sister once described me by saying,  “she may be small, but she is going to do big things”. I want to live up to that statement. I want to take in every opportunity I can to grow and use those experiences to inspire others. I am more than capable to use what I have learned to serve developing community. I am eager to embark on a journey that will allow me to experience other cultures and evolve from the experiences. My desire to serve through Peace Corps all boils down to my belief that attitudes are contagious, and I want to be able to spread my positivity and compassion with others, whom in turn may extend their hand to another.