Where in the world is the Dominican Republic? Let me show you...
Thursday, July 06, 2006
a few answers to some frequently asked questions
Why did I decide to join the Peace Corps?
Well… This is a tough one because it wasn’t a difficult decision for me. It was something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I’ve known about it. I remember thinking it was a neat idea as far back as the 4th grade but it wasn’t until my high school librarian (who was an original “Kennedy’s kid”) gave a talk with an informative (a.k.a. recruitment) video on it that I became seriously interested. Then thanks to the confidence gained in an international setting during my study abroad I really thought it was a possibility. SHORT ANSWER- The Peace Corps combines my loves of culture, language, and living in a foreign environment along with one of my favorite past-times of worrying my mother.
What are you going to be doing in the Peace Corps?
I plan on lying in my own hammock for 2 years under the Caribbean sun, getting a nice tan and eating freshly picked mangos. Just kidding! In reality I don’t even like mangos (a taste I will hopefully acquire since it is considered by many to be the most delicious food found in the D.R.). To address thisquestion I’m starting with the three goals of the Peace Corps as stated by the Peace Corps:
1. To help people of interested countries meet their need for trainedmen and women2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part ofpeople served.3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the partof Americans.
More specifically my job description is Youth Development Promoter. What this means (I know it’s kind of vague but it is what I know so bear with me) is I will work at a community level in either a urban or rural area with groups of young people- typically, loosely organized and in need of motivation and direction- and in coordination with community based organizations, non-governmental and governmental organizations. I will be assigned to a specific “project” and I am likely to be placed in a “cluster” i.e. reasonably close to other volunteers working with Youth or the complimentary sectors of Health, Education, Environment, or Small Business. (I have found that this “cluster” means they live in nearby towns)
Specific activities that this includes are: organizing youth-driven recreation and arts events, building developmental skills, forming peer educators, organizing youth groups, organizing parent support groups, presenting workshops on issues important to the community, organizing literacy programs, and supporting youth in planning and implementing community-led projects. Now what I will actually do is kind of up to me (the Peace Corps gives you this freedom). I will spend the first 3 months as a Volunteer (which will actually be my 4th-6th months of living in country) performing a “community diagnostic” which means getting to know the community and figuring out what it’s needs are. From there I will form my master plan!
Do I think I will make some major, sustainable, country altering change?
Let’s say I don’t hold some outlandish idealistic notion of what changes I will make, but that it has happened for some Volunteers. Also I wanted to relay the idea of “seed planting.” Where I more than likely will only see minor changes (if any) during service, but in the long run perhaps something major could grow because of it. There are plenty of stories where this occurs and you never know the effect you may have on others.
Am I scared?
VERY! but I don't believe that you should not do something only because you are afraid. I expect times where I will be sick from dengue (or some other crazy tropical illness) be crying for my mom wanting more than anything to go home, but I know that there will also be times where I will be completely blown away- in the best sense- by the experience.
Well… This is a tough one because it wasn’t a difficult decision for me. It was something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I’ve known about it. I remember thinking it was a neat idea as far back as the 4th grade but it wasn’t until my high school librarian (who was an original “Kennedy’s kid”) gave a talk with an informative (a.k.a. recruitment) video on it that I became seriously interested. Then thanks to the confidence gained in an international setting during my study abroad I really thought it was a possibility. SHORT ANSWER- The Peace Corps combines my loves of culture, language, and living in a foreign environment along with one of my favorite past-times of worrying my mother.
What are you going to be doing in the Peace Corps?
I plan on lying in my own hammock for 2 years under the Caribbean sun, getting a nice tan and eating freshly picked mangos. Just kidding! In reality I don’t even like mangos (a taste I will hopefully acquire since it is considered by many to be the most delicious food found in the D.R.). To address thisquestion I’m starting with the three goals of the Peace Corps as stated by the Peace Corps:
1. To help people of interested countries meet their need for trainedmen and women2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part ofpeople served.3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the partof Americans.
More specifically my job description is Youth Development Promoter. What this means (I know it’s kind of vague but it is what I know so bear with me) is I will work at a community level in either a urban or rural area with groups of young people- typically, loosely organized and in need of motivation and direction- and in coordination with community based organizations, non-governmental and governmental organizations. I will be assigned to a specific “project” and I am likely to be placed in a “cluster” i.e. reasonably close to other volunteers working with Youth or the complimentary sectors of Health, Education, Environment, or Small Business. (I have found that this “cluster” means they live in nearby towns)
Specific activities that this includes are: organizing youth-driven recreation and arts events, building developmental skills, forming peer educators, organizing youth groups, organizing parent support groups, presenting workshops on issues important to the community, organizing literacy programs, and supporting youth in planning and implementing community-led projects. Now what I will actually do is kind of up to me (the Peace Corps gives you this freedom). I will spend the first 3 months as a Volunteer (which will actually be my 4th-6th months of living in country) performing a “community diagnostic” which means getting to know the community and figuring out what it’s needs are. From there I will form my master plan!
Do I think I will make some major, sustainable, country altering change?
Let’s say I don’t hold some outlandish idealistic notion of what changes I will make, but that it has happened for some Volunteers. Also I wanted to relay the idea of “seed planting.” Where I more than likely will only see minor changes (if any) during service, but in the long run perhaps something major could grow because of it. There are plenty of stories where this occurs and you never know the effect you may have on others.
Am I scared?
VERY! but I don't believe that you should not do something only because you are afraid. I expect times where I will be sick from dengue (or some other crazy tropical illness) be crying for my mom wanting more than anything to go home, but I know that there will also be times where I will be completely blown away- in the best sense- by the experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)