I have started to take the final steps of selling furniture and my car, filling up my parents' storage with all of my lovely belongings, talking to school loan lenders and Sprint, and booking as many play sessions with friends and family AS POSSIBLE. After getting my car beautifully detailed today in preparation to sell it, I came home and reflected back on what got me here from 11 months ago when I decided to apply for the Peace Corps. And as most things in my life, the vision I had for what I wanted took a turn. I went from really wanting to become fluent in Spanish to being offered a position (in FIJI) to utilize my Family Life Education and Parent Coaching work in a way I hadn't even thought possible.
This is the 492 word essay I wrote for my application (max allowed was 500....so much pressure when this is pretty much all they judge you on initially).
The challenges I have faced, chosen
and stumbled upon have one thing in common: they have permanently changed me
for the better. I participated in a two-week study abroad course in Belize,
Central America to study the local culture. My fascination with this new
culture led me to connect with Cornerstone Foundation, a local non-profit
focused on empowering youth, woman and families to improve their situations by
connecting them with meaningful resources. I proceeded to spend three months
that summer immersing myself in San Ignacio, Belize working with Cornerstone
and immersing myself into the local culture. I ate the local dishes, attended cultural celebrations, and informally picked
up Creole (Belizean). Through the
autonomy given to me at Cornerstone I was able to create sustainable youth
programs by collaborating with the existing community infrastructure. Success
in these programs was not easily come by; I was faced with many challenges. It
was essential for me to slow down and observe my community in order to create
successful relationships and recognize the needs of those around me.
After being accepted into City Year
as an AmeriCorps member, I moved to the neighborhood of East Harlem, New York.
East Harlem is an area of concentrated poverty with high school graduation rate
of around fifty percent. Working as an AmeriCorps volunteer during this time
was a rewarding challenge in which I found much fulfillment. I lived on a small
stipend, received food stamps and inhabited a 700 square foot apartment with
three other volunteers. This was my first time living in a United States city
as a minority. Many of the volunteers began their time in Harlem with fear.
They were afraid of the unknown, of the statistics, and of the people who
seemed so different than them. I embraced this. I acknowledged the hellos from
those hanging out outside the laundry mat, visited the deli on the corner
daily, and made myself approachable. Allowing myself to be receptive
allowed me to quickly become friends
with the people of East Harlem. My friends’ stories were much different
than mine. Our conversations ranged from gangs and guns to parenting styles.
These conversations gave me insight as to the needs of the community. Drawing
from these discussions bettered my work in the school in how to implement
interventions, approach parents, and mentor youth. I had to be creative and resourceful
in my work.
I am highly prepared and motivated in regards to Peace
Corps service. I trust that my education, experiences, cultural acceptance, and
motivation to improve a piece of the world will lead me to work through any
challenge that may arise during my service. I know that I will learn just as
much from the Peace Corps in my time exchanging cultural experiences. I hope to
return to the United States with a deeper understanding of another language and
culture that I am able to utilize in my work as a Family Life Educator and
Parent Coach. 28 Days Folks. Don't you worry, I have been eating cheese every day, at every meal.
No comments:
Post a Comment