Essay # 2

Your success as a Peace Corps Volunteer is based on the trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture (Core Expectation #4). Describe an experience you have had in living or working in a social or cultural environment different from your own. What specific challenges did you face concerning trust, confidence, and/or integration? What did you learn from this experience that you will bring with you to your Peace Corps service?

Being introduced to a culture different from my own first occurred when I began learning American Sign Language and was naive to the fact that the Deaf community was a culture in itself. During my undergrad program I was exposed to the Deaf world, which truly opened my mind and left me craving the excitement of learning about new cultures. However, it was when I served as a volunteer in Pachacutec Peru that I really learned how it felt to be pushed outside my cultural norms.

In June of 2013 I was accepted into a teaching English program. We would teach English four days a week to elementary students. The expressions on the children’s faces after learning what we taught them left me in complete awe. Watching the children’s confidence grow as they mastered new concepts was such an inspiring experience.  When the children would get frustrated from the challenges of new material it motivated me to find a way to connect with them and help them relate to the material.

I quickly learned that school systems in America and Peru were different from each other. In Peru it wasn’t uncommon for the regular classroom teacher to walk out of class without return. Typically I could communicate with my students, but there were times when language barriers did occur. I then became involved in a group with other volunteers to discuss what we can do to be more effective teachers. Though the group was small and met only once a week being able to work with a team was extremely beneficially. I also took part in Spanish lessons while in Peru to help expand my vocabulary.

However, the biggest challenge was when I would volunteer in a shelter for “young women” ages 7-16 who had been rescued from sex slavery. This was a challenge because I was shocked to learn what these girls had experienced. I volunteered as a support system, but naturally the girls were a bit reluctant to open up to new people. I would talk with the girls, make jewelry them, and try to help them recognize how special they are, which is how I was able to develop a relationship with these girls. I went thinking I was helping them, but they were the ones who helped open my eye and who gave me strength and motivation to want to serve even more.

From this experience I learned how to leave my comfort zone and face a fear head on. I met amazing people who I know I can reach out to for advice or resources while serving as a volunteer. I believe having previous exposure to volunteering abroad has helped me build a foundation to be successful in my time serving. I am confident in my ability to problem solve and adapt to any given situation. I realize that not everything encountered will be glamorous, but I also know that my will to help is extremely strong.