Last year today, I declined an offer to be a Peace Corps member as an English Educator in Colombia.
Before I get into all of the reasons I said no, let’s see why I wanted to say yes:
WHY I APPLIED TO THE PEACE CORPS [an excerpt from my motivation statement]:
I fully believe that education can open lives to better opportunities, and I simply want to help better our world, a little at a time. Learning the English language can be the stepping stone for better life opportunities, as I have seen firsthand while teaching English in Costa Rica and Tanzania. Seeing the small difference I have made in the lives of others through education has simply solidified my motivation to join the Peace Corps. From my unusual American childhood to traveling the world the past four years, I realize that I have been preparing for this application my whole life. I fully support the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship, and I strive to dedicate my services and background to help others while promoting cross-cultural understanding as an American global ambassador.
Basically, I felt called to serve. I found I love teaching, and I love helping people from other cultures learn English.
WHY DID I SAY NO?
There’s a myriad of reasons, truthfully.
Part of it was that I didn’t want to sell my soul to the government, and that’s kind of what it felt like. If I am going to do that, I want it to be for something I truly truly want (which fingers crossed, may be happening). But really, there was three main issues.
TIME COMMITMENT
After some insane research, I found out that almost half of the Peace Corps volunteers, do not finish their term.
You wonder why? Well, it’s a two year commitment AND a 3-6 month training before the two years. That’s two and a half years away – away from family, friends, the life you’ve built. Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely want to live abroad, and I don’t have the biggest issue with being away. Frankly, I hadn’t been in one place for even a year since high school and the idea of being in one place for that long ANYWHERE kind of spooked me. But if we’re being real, my parents aren’t the youngest. I want to have the flexibility to see them and spend time with them and learn them as adults. I want to explore with my brother while he gets so into biking. I didn’t want to miss my best friend’s wedding.
And if I was not fully committed to staying the entire duration, then I should absolutely not say yes.
Strike one.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Peace Corps volunteers live in the same conditions that they are serving in. And since they are often and mostly placed in rural, poverty stricken areas that need it most – yes, you guessed it, they are also living in poverty-like conditions. They asked me how I would feel living without what we as Westernized consider basic living conditions – possibly without clean, accessible running water, no WIFI, no electricity.
I said I’d have no issue, because frankly, I’ve done that before. We grew up on the lower side of poor, and I’ve gone through those issues and more, and survived. The recruiter asked how I would feel living with a host family with little privacy. As I answered this question, the screaming of my host family’s grandchildren in the background echoed over our zoom call. Once again – I’ve done it, I survived, I’ll be okay. And then they asked how I would feel dealing with the machismo culture of Latin America. I reflected back on the daily sexual harassment I lived – survived – in Costa Rica for half a year, and once again, the answer was – I’ve already experienced it and handled it, so I’ll be okay.
And then I thought a little more. Do I want to be “just okay”? Do I seriously want to voluntarily live in poverty again, have no privacy, no basic amenities, deal with the sexual harassment that is a unfortunate staple in the machismo culture of Latin America?
Simply – why would I voluntarily live like this – when I could do the same job, and get paid for it since I have all of the qualifications?
Strike two.
OTHER WAYS TO LIVE/SERVE/TEACH ABROAD
The final splash to the face came from a conversation I had with my brother, who always makes me second-guess my actions and keep my head on straight. Thank you, Sky, for being honest with me that day. My other family members told me they’d support whatever I did, but my brother – well, he straight up called it dumb. He listed all the qualifications I had – from the Bachelor’s degree I was finishing, to the extensive experience already gained teaching abroad, to the TEFL I was completing at that moment – that qualified me to get a job teaching abroad in in a safer country with less time commitment, better living conditions, and – a paycheck. I hadn’t really thought of it like that, and truly wanted to SERVE, but he reminded me that I can serve communities and be paid at the same time. It doesn’t make my contributions any less; it just makes my life easier.
Strike three.
THIS IS NOT TO DISCOURAGE YOU, BUT TO TELL MY STORY
Now, I did not write all of this to discourage anyone who may be interested in the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is important, a life-changing, incredible opportunity with so many perks. (PROS AND CONS LIST HERE)
But it is also very, very hard. And I believe that more volunteers need to think long and hard about the commitment BEFORE saying yes and then end up leaving early.
And in light of that, although I did end up saying no, for it was best for me, I still encourage those who truly know what they’re getting into – to go for it. So much, that I am willing to share my Peace Corps motivation statement with anyone who wants it. A statement, that helped me get an offer.
So, whatever this makes you think, whether the Peace Corps interests you or doesn’t – know yourself. Sit down and listen to your intuition, and find out what is right for you.
