About
three weeks ago, I was sworn-in as part of the newest group of Peace Corps
Volunteers in the world (a title another group likely has by now). It was a
very exciting time that was only made better by the struggles with which we all
faced in order to be there.
When
you join the Peace Corps, it is 27-month commitment. There are three months of
training and then two years of being an actual volunteer. When planning and
envisioning what life will be like, most volunteers (myself included) glaze over
the three months of training. It sounds like a relatively short amount of time
and everything is taken care of for you. You live with a host family who cooks
your meals, attend language/culture classes and receive technical trainings.
What you cannot possibly realize until you are in the situation, is that it is
truly some of the hardest times during a Peace Corps service.
Every
facet of your life is planned and taken care of with little to no regard of
your actual opinions or feelings. It is ironically one of the most regimented
experiences I can ever imagine going through. You eat when you are told, go to
school when you are told and yes, I was even told, “go to bed” a few times.
This lack of control, in addition to living in an entirely new place and
culture, is enough to drive a person nuts.
But,
yet another thing you do not know before joining the Peace Corps is that the
people you go through PST with will become family in a matter of weeks. While
you start off as strangers, you grow together in the experience. Your highs
become other people’s highs. Your lows are other people’s lows. You help each
other out and build each other up because you are in it together. And the whole
experience, though just 10 weeks, culminates into a party at the embassy.
I
mention the struggles not to sound like a martyr, but to give you a glimpse of
what an incredible feeling it is just to make it to swearing-in. There you are,
9,000 miles away from anyone you have ever known as of 10 weeks ago, but you feel as
though you are among family. Everyone is smiling and congratulating each
other. It is an exciting time.
Before the reality of leaving each other and beginning this crazy journey takes
place, there is this one-day that is just about celebrating getting through the
(at times) horror of PST. Here are some picture commemorating the day!
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We’re kind of a big deal!
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Moment of truth!
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Just me, the Ethiopian minister of education, the Peace
Corps Ethiopia Country Director, and the US Ambassador to Ethiopia - your average Friday.
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They don’t serve sushi for just any group!
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And finally, a lot of happy people...
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