While I was still an undergraduate student I knew I wanted to join the Peace Corps and become a Volunteer. Seeing exotic lands, learning a new language, experiencing a new culture, and making a positive difference in a developing country has always appealed to me. I had seen the recruiters on campus before but finally approached them with only one semester before graduation and inquired about it. The recruiter told me I had to beef of my resume if I wanted to work in the social development sector and I would have to work at a non-profit agency for at least a year before applying.
After getting non-profit experience I applied and about 6 months later I finally heard from a recruiter. We interviewed and eventually she nominated me and I got the green light. I was going to work in the Youth and Development Sector in Kazakhstan! I was supposed to leave in October of 2001 when tragedy struck. 9/11 had occurred and the country was in a state of shock. I had already quit my job and moved out of my place so I was still ready to leave. I called the Peace Corps Headquarters and spoke with someone in charge of that region and was assured everything was calm and that schedule was still a go. That was a relief to know but a couple of days later I was called by Peace Corps Headquarters explaining that everyone in that region was being evacuated out and no one would be going there.
I had explained to them that I had already quit my job and moved back in with family and the best they could do was move us with the next group. Luckily, they gave me options to pick the actual countries offered. Haiti, Nepal, Romania, Zambia, and Namibia were my choices. I actually chose Nepal when I was informed that India and Pakistan were nuclear powers and there was a lot of tension going on and that it was very likely Volunteers in that region would be evacuated too. So I ended up choosing Romania because I wanted to see what life was like under those Communist authoritarian regimes. So in February 2002, we had our orientation and staging event in Washington DC and off we went.
I was still in the Youth and Development sector and ended up working with a local charity in the Transylvania region near the Ukrainian border. The city I lived was called Baia Mare. The charity I was involved with was deinstitutionalizing the state run orphanages for children and young adults with special needs. The history behind the orphanages was absolutely shocking and the work being done was incredibly gratifying. I ended up extending an extra year because there was much to do and by the time you feel you finally adjusted to your work site and you just hit your stride its time to go home.
Looking back at my experience in Romania always brings a smile to my face. I met some wonderful people who I became very good friends with and have even returned a few times since to see them. The Peace Corps experience should be about connecting with others and maintaining relationships. For example, my Romanian friend even invited me to attend his wedding in July of 2015 and so I did. I still keep in contact with the various people I’ve come across in Romania through social media. Members of my host family, former colleagues, and friends are still a part of my circle and talking with them helps me remember to speak Romanian.
After Peace Corps I returned back to Southern California where I decided to go to graduate school for Public Diplomacy. I’ve been working in the public sector since. Nearly 14 years since I first applied to the Peace Corps I decided that I needed another adventure in my life and signed up again. I missed the camaraderie, the highs and lows of being in a foreign land, and the joy of seeing the positive impact of my work. The circle is now complete and my new adventure begins. In March 2016 I head out Armenia and will be in the Community and Youth Development again and have the title of NGO Advisor.
I’m really looking forward to this experience. Knowing that I’ve already been a Peace Corps Volunteer I’m curious to see what policies and practices have changed since my first time. I’ve got something to compare my experiences with now! I hope to make more life long friends with my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and Armenians too.
I hope you will continue following my Peace Corps experiences, past and new, in the hope that it inspires you to make a positive impact on your local community and even consider doing volunteer work abroad.
Stay tuned and happy traveling.
"The contents of this Web site are mine personally and do not reflect the position of the US Government or the Peace Corps."
