My Aspiration Statement

Everyone asks me why I want to join the Peace Corps, and describing why is difficult. Below is the aspiration statement I had to write to the Ethiopia country desk, maybe this will make my reasons clearer. You can probably tell what the questions are by the answers.

A.
I first began entertaining the idea of joining the Peace Corps in 2006 when I studied abroad in Australia. While the difference between the US and Australia is not extraordinary, the experience of entering, sight unseen, into a new world far away from home was exhilarating. The tourism aspect was phenomenal, but what I found most enjoyable was the local culture. Living in another culture is far different than visiting. Taking on the local lifestyle, letting go to strict deadlines and allowing myself to slow down was something completely new, and quite liberating. Being from New England, I am used to a fast paced environment; if a train is late or appointment does not start on time it is an extreme inconvenience. However, I learned in Australia that if you slow down and enjoy life instead of racing through it, you can find more meaning, develop stronger relationships and, most importantly, be happy.
As I began to fall in love with Australia I also began to wonder about the experience I could have gotten out of all the places I visited as a kid if we had stayed a while longer. From there I began researching the US Peace Corps. I actually remember the first time when I learned about the Peace Corps when I was a kid and thinking to myself “why would someone want to do that”…every time I think about that instance I laugh to myself, because now I know exactly why someone, including myself, cannot wait for that experience. I want to experience the world, not as a tourist, but as a part of it. I don’t want to stand by and learn about countries and people far away, I want to be one of them. And rather than just seeking employment in another country, I want to help. The inequalities across the globe are disheartening and just do not make sense. Why is it that so many people die from malaria every year when treatment is so inexpensive? Why is a region rich in oil, a powerful resource, full of people who live on just $2 a day? And I don’t want to just hear about these people, I want to get to know them and learn how to make a difference.
With the seed already planted in my head about going to the Peace Corps I met David Ives. He probably doesn't know it, but he was the deciding factor in my decision to apply. David is the director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University. I knew him through the Albert Schweitzer Club which I was a part of and, upon his suggestion, took a philosophy class my senior year of college titled The Thought and Work of Albert Schweitzer. We learned about Schweitzer’s mission in Gabon to repent for the mistreatment done by Europeans in Africa. He gave up fame and fortune to complete medical school and provide medical care in a forgotten corner of the world. I learned about “reverence for life” and how sacred every living thing, plant, insect, animal or person is. Through this class I kept a journal of my experiences volunteering at a Hospice and evaluated it through the lens of Schweitzer. This class, David’s account of his Peace Corps experience in Costa Rica, and his invitation to meet people like Jimmy Carter, Rigoberta Menchu and survivors of the bombings in Hiroshima, the Albert Schweitzer Institute made me realize how much one person really can do.
I realize that I will not build a hospital, I will not “fix” any major problems and I definitely won’t save the world. But what I can, and intend to do is make a difference. As my mentor in graduate school would say, passion and tenacity go a long way. I believe to be a Peace Corps volunteer you need to encompass both attributes. With the knowledge I have gained through my education and life experiences, I aspire to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in my town/village. I listen to the stories of those I work alongside with at the Agape Center (an HIV/AIDS resource center) and realize that it is not necessarily disease that affects their everyday life, it’s the isolation. These people want to be a part of the community and they want to remain productive. In fact, many of the clients also volunteer their time at the food pantry in the building. This is how I want to make a difference. I want to help remove stigmas and help people find their place in the community. If I can make a positive difference in just one person’s life, the 27 month commitment is worth it.

B.
Working in the Peace Corps is going to be very different than going to school in Australia. My work is going to be a partnership, not a solo act. As I read through my invitation packet and the blogs of volunteers already in Ethiopia I begin to imagine myself there. I think the best way to integrate into work is the same as the best way to get into the ocean after laying in the sun on the beach. First, observe everyone else already in the water. I believe that I will have to spend the beginning of my experience learning by observation. What is the organizational culture? What is taboo? Where do I fit in? I would have to learn the work ethic and goals of my host country partners instead of starting work and creating my own agenda. Second you have to ease your way in, take one step, get used to the temperature and then take another step. After observing I need to focus on working with my partners and learning where I need to be and what I need to do. I will need to try something, test it, and then if it doesn’t work in this environment, get out of the water and try again from a different angle. The third step is the plunge, when you’re in the water to your waist and the only way to get in is to jump. After I have found how the organization works and what my role is I need to jump in. I will only have 2 years, and I can’t spend the whole time scared and watching from the wings. I will have to give it everything I’ve got and watch things fall into place. And just like getting into that cold water, being side by side with someone always provides comfort and motivation. I will need my host country colleagues to help me in at first, and then work together.

C.
In my experiences, the way I best adapt to a new culture is to embrace it. I don’t like to retreat to comforts, such as exiling myself to my dwelling or clinging to the closest American. I believe that if I start by allowing myself to have a crutch, I will never fully adapt to the new culture. The easiest way for me to settle in is to make myself feel uncomfortable and awkwardly try to fit in. While the first weeks or months may not be as pleasant as my romantic fantasy of the Peace Corps is, I will learn what is expected of me and how I fit into my new community. I expect to be met with obstacles that I cannot even fathom at this moment, but I accept that challenges that lay ahead of me.
Other than being isolated by language, my biggest fear is losing my own identity. In the US I am quite passionate about certain issues and tend to be outspoken. I learned in Australia that it is not a good idea to get involved in politics in a different country so I go to Ethiopia fully expecting to remain silent on such issues. However, as I immerse myself into the new culture I need to realize what values are important to me, what I am willing to sacrifice and what I need to be firm about to keep being Nikki. As I prepare for departure, and during training, I need to do some soul-searching and decide what sacrifices I need to make and what about my own culture I can preserve. After all, the Peace Corps isn’t just about learning about a new culture, it’s about teaching other people about Americans as well.

D.
I have a number of items I expect to learn during training to prepare me for service. First and foremost I expect to make progress in language. I have already ordered an Amharic phrase book, but I hope that during pre-service training I will be able to at least introduce myself, learn words such as please and thank you and learn the major cultural differences so I do not offend anyone on my first day. I also hope to learn more about the resources I will have at my disposal for my work. I know that resources will be limited, but knowing exactly how limited will allow me to begin brainstorming ideas before I actually begin service.
I also want to gain knowledge about the current state of affairs in Ethiopia. What are the major ambitions and goals of the Ministry of Health? What are the biggest issues that the people of Ethiopia are faced with? What do the people want? What are the goals of the Peace Corps/Ethiopia relationship?

E.
My motivations to join the Peace Corps are primarily to use my training and experience to help a growing community. When my family and friends ask why I want to be in the Peace Corps I reply that because the world has been good to me and I was fortunate enough to be born in an area where I have the world at my fingertips, I feel like it is my duty to share my good fortune with those who do not share it. To me it is atrocious that in a world connected by the media, internet and television that people do not do more to help each other. It is not enough to “feel bad” about the AIDS epidemic, or buy a t-shirt that says “Save Darfur” instead of giving time to call a congressmen ask him or her to put international aid on his or her agenda. I need to give myself to the world, use the education and experience I have to help others.
With that said it is impossible to say that joining the Peace Corps is a complete sacrifice of my life and is without reward. Many people report that they feel they got more from the Peace Corps experience than they gave. I am going to have new experiences and adventure that will remain a part of my identity for the rest of my life. My current goal, though by the end of my 27 months I may have a completely different life plan, is to take advantage of the noncompetitive advantage for government employment. I strongly believe in civic duty, and just like if you disagree with the inequalities in the world you should act, if you do not make an effort to create change then you cannot complain about the status quo.
I believe that I should contribute to the country that has given me great opportunities. With my background in healthcare management, I want to work for the CDC as a Health Analyst. These people travel the world to determine the health needs of different countries are, and work with the host country to meet these needs. I view my experience with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia the beginning of this career.

The Wait is Over

Yesterday it came. I have officially been invited to join the Peace Corps and I couldn't be happier with my assignment. My invitation is to be a Health Economic Development Advisor in Ethiopia. Staging is Oct 4-5 and then the evening of Oct. 5 I will board a plane to Ethiopia! I had initially thought that I would be working in the health education sector, but my actual assignment is really more business than health (which makes sense since I am a few weeks away from completing my MBA). I will be working with the Ministry of Health (sounds like Harry Potter!) to identify means of economic stability and income generation for those infected with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable populations. My interpretation of it is that I am working to break down stigmas and get these people integrated into their communities. By assisting them with business development, people will be able to afford food, medical treatment and a better standard of living.

Since I wil be working with the Ministry, my accommodations will be set up by the Ethiopian government (no rent...one less thing to worry about!). According to my assignment description I will be in a small-medium town or village and living in a compound (whatever that means). Typically, HED volunteers have one-two rooms to themselves in a house. Most, but not all, have running water and electricity. Something I was not banking on, so that's a nice surprise. Additionally, part of my job may be teaching business owners how to use MS Office or use databases to manage their businesses. Sounds like I may have computer access (and possibly internet).

I think the only aspect of this whole ordeal that I'm not excited about is the dress code. For those of you who know me, you know I do not function well in heat. Well, Ethiopians dress conservatively and I will need to wear long skirs and shirts that cover my shoulders and go up to my neck. I need to find some super light weight material!

The next step is to accept my invitation, which I will do later today. Then its a whole bunch of paperwork and a final medical review (if the last one wasn' t enough). I also think I'm going to find a way to start learning Amharic, the language aspect makes me nervous. I love to talk, and if I don't know the language it will be very lonely.

Cheers,
Nikki

An Emotional Beating

The last time I heard from the Peace Corps was back in March when I was medically cleared. I've been busy with school and moving back to Putnam so the wait hasn't really bothered me. However, now that I am back in Putnam where life moves a bit slower than in Hamden and I'm nearing the end of graduate school the delay is quite noticeable. Last week I received an e-mail requesting an updated resume and stated that my file wouldn't be reviewed for another 6-12 weeks. Twelve weeks puts me into September, which is when I'm done school. The increased competitiveness has gotten me quite nervous and thinking about what I'm going to do if I'm not invited to the Peace Corps. So I began to look at jobs.

There is a job opening as an assistant long term care administrator with a nice salary, benefits and with a reasonable commute from either Putnam or New Haven. The job is entry level and pretty much matches my qualifications perfectly. Imagine the temptation. I had a bit of a life-crisis that day, had lunch with Andrea, spoke with Danshults and Ma. They all said that the job was a good option and that I should at least apply. Of course Danshults was the biggest proponent of sticking with the Peace Corps and Ma said to just go for the job. I took their advice and thought about it pretty much all day and night. By the time I went to bed I decided that I am not ready to give up on the Peace Corps and I wasn't going to sell out for a high paying job. The Peace Corps is what I want to do, it's where I'll make the biggest impact on the world and, if I may be selfish, on my life. Any job I could apply for would never compare and I'd think about it for the rest of my life: what if I actually did join the Peace Corps? Also, if I don't get invited I need to leave CT... I don't think I could take the "I thought you were going to Africa" comments everyday.

And that was my test. The next day I got an e-mail from my PO saying that my file was being reviewed. I'm assuming that doesn't mean I will wait the estimated 6-12 weeks. Maybe I'll hear in July! But now I am nervous as Hell. Everytime I open my e-mail I hold my breath. But at least I'll know soon. I know that I am committed to it, and my decision to accept any invitation has been made. I've done all I can...now it is up to them!

Also, an October invite for Ethiopia has been mailed. I'm almost positive that this is the program they are considering me for. It's funny, even before my sleuthing and trying to find out possible programs leaving in October I had a feeling it would be Ethiopia. Not the most stable of geographic regions, but it's close to the Middle East...which was my first choice. It seems so perfect, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high.

In other news, I FINALLY found a new place to volunteer to get HIV/AIDS experience. I'm spending my Thursday mornings at the Agape Center in RI. So far, so good. The people are incredible and very honest and open. They are so supportive of my going to Africa and are eager to help me learn about the disease, how they live with it, and answer any questions.

That's it for now!
Cheers,
Nikki