Category Archives: Peace Corps Romania

3rd Goal

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The Peace Corps has three goals:

  • Provide countries with skilled workers
  • Teach host nations about America

    • and

  • Teach Americans about the host countries

To further the third goal, during Peace Corps Week (this week,) former volunteers are encouraged to speak to their local communities about their service. I just got back from the Lewiston Public Library where I gave a talk to three hardy individuals who braved the snowstorm that has moved in upon us. Although the turnout may have been greater had there not been a snowstorm, I was extremely happy to talk with those who did come.

My friend Sarah always said that if we touched at least one person, we had done our job well. Perhaps none of tonight’s audience members will themselves join, but at least they will have a better understanding of the Peace Corps and be able to speak about it with others.

As the snow falls outside and I pray for a ski day tomorrow, I also hope that a few Lewistonians will make that leap and perhaps themselves have the luxury of enacting this 3rd goal a few years from now.

Jet Plane

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20 12th graders just filed out of my apartment after over an hour of singing… It’s a tradition here for graduating 12th graders to serenade their teachers at their homes. What a great experience. I really like this group, they are strong, smart and fun. This is the class with which I’ve worked the most over my two years here, and as a result, our bond is quite strong. Tonight we sang a whole range of songs, from traditional Hungarian anthems to American radio jingles. While we were singing “leavin’ on a jet plane,” my impending departure hit home. Of course I am excited to return, I have so many people to see and so many great things to do. But tonight, as we sang together, I realized that I will miss these kids. They have made my experience here worthwhile, and it will be difficult to say goodbye. Of course they too will be moving on and entering a new phase in their lives, so perhaps our feelings of nostalgia and a bit of anxiety are shared. This country and this work has been draining at times, but events like this remind me that what I’m doing here truly matters; thanks guys.