Why I Joined the Peace Corps

My cousin Susan from Arlington, VA asked what made me decide to join the Peace Corps. It's a fair question, and one I figured others might find interesting as well. So, I've pasted my response to Susan here:

...the answer is a complicated one. I suppose it goes without saying that my decision to join is the result of many hopes, desires and aspirations.

I suppose one reason I went for the Peace Corps is that I've spent the last four years in academia, and I think it is time for something completely different. I know what its like to be cooped up in a library, my face buried in books; I'd rather be actually doing and experiencing new things. Everyone talks about entering the "Real World" after college. It doesn't get much more real than this.

It seems like a lot of people right out of college have feelings of angst about what to do next. I sure did. I graduated the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts in History. At first it seemed like my options were limited: (1.) Teach, (2.) Get a job pushing paper at an insurance company or something equally mind-numbing, or (3.) Go to graduate school for History and maybe get some sort of history/research-related job. Option (2.) seemed right out. I had no desire to spend my time in a cubicle. Option (1.) didn't seem too bad, but I wasn't sure I was ready to jump into teaching right away, especially since it would require further education. As I've already alluded to, by the time I'd graduated college I had grown somewhat tired of the educational system, and needed a break.

That's also why option (3.) didn't seem too appealing to me. I really didn't relish the idea of going to graduate school, especially for history. To be quite honest, I didn't like history enough to pursue a master's or doctorate in the field. And, I didn't know what else might interest me enough to devote years of constant study, so I decided graduate school wasn't the best choice. I'd like to go eventually, but I want to make sure that I'm studying something I really like. Hopefully, given some time, something that really interests me will present itself. I feel that before I make any decisions about returning to school it would help to have more life-experience under my belt. Perhaps my service in the Peace Corps will help with this. Maybe it'll show me some new possibilities and open some new doors. I admire those people who know exactly what they want to do from the start. In comparison to them I must seem fickle. Then again, I realize I'm experiencing the same feelings that the majority of people have. Most of us spend our entire lives figuring out what we will be when we 'grow up.' I may feel lost at times, but that's only because life is a journey. And, at least I now have a sense of direction because I know the Peace Corps will be the next leg of that journey.

The problem I found while progressing through my education is that the system seems to be like a big funnel. At least this seems to be the case in my own experience as a student of the liberal arts, and it's primarily why I didn't want to pursue a history PhD. As I understand it, education is intended to broaden an individual's awareness, understanding, abilities, etc. However, the way the system works, it seems like the individual is forced to pigeonhole himself. Education starts out very broad, with general subjects. But as the student advances, his areas of study become increasingly specialized, to the point where they almost seem to depart from reality. It just seems too restrictive for my tastes and contradicts my whole philosophy of learning.

At UConn, I had several friends, teachers and co-workers who were working on PhDs. As a tutor at the university's Writing Center, I also tutored a few doctoral students, and read some of their writings. A lot of what I saw seemed really picayune, and quite frankly, very boring. Of course I mean no offense to them or their field. I just could never see myself writing essays on things like Henry Clay Frick's wardrobe, or Charlotte Bronte's favorite pastimes, or the philosophy of semi-colons. I think my mind would mutiny. This is not to say there's nothing substantial in the study of history, literature, philosophy, etc. It's just that so much has already been written that new scholarship is often enormously obscure. Such knowledge may make a person a master of Trivial Pursuits, but how much of it really matters anyway? Of course, I'm sure that it matters to some people. To me, however, it seems like the life of the academic is so insular that it's not practical. I suppose it takes a different type of person.

I do love learning. I love to learn as much as I can. But there's only so much you can gain from a book, especially a book so ridden with technical jargon that you can barely remember how it relates to the real world. There's certainly something to be said for experience. I look at the Peace Corps as an opportunity for learning. I'm sure there's a lot I can learn from life in the developing world. I'm hoping that what I gain from my experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer will help make me a more-rounded individual. I'll have the opportunity to learn another language. I'll be able to view the world from another cultural perspective. I'll have the chance to meet new people. And hopefully, it'll be a chance for me to discover more about who I am and what I'm made of.

I like the idea of giving up everything I know and immersing myself in a totally foreign environment. It suits my sense of adventure. My life up to this point has been very good. I have no complaints. But I'm curious to see what else is out there. Most of the traveling I've done has been within the United States, and a little in Canada, Mexico and England. But I haven't really been anywhere totally unfamiliar, and any trips I've taken have only been for short periods of time. The Peace Corps will give me a chance to break out of the familiar and change my frame of reference. But, most of all, it will give me the chance to work with other people for positive change.

I guess that's some of the background on why the Peace Corps seemed an attractive option. My actual decision to apply was triggered by some events during my senior year at UConn. I took an alternative spring break to New Orleans to help with the hurricane recovery. I was with a group of about 50 UConn students who helped gut homes affected by hurricane Katrina, and in the process I met some of the most inspiring and admirable people. It was only a week, but it's something I'll always remember as one of the most positive experiences of my life. In fact, I was so inspired, I decided to go back a second time in May 2006. Another inspiring experience from my senior year was tutoring at an inner-city public high school in Hartford, Connecticut, where I worked with students with their writing and reading comprehension. Every week I went to Hartford Public High School to visit one particular social studies class. Eventually I got to know the kids, and made some solid connections. I felt like I was making an impact, especially when I discovered a desire to learn in the students who weren't usually receptive to their teacher. Being a hurricane relief volunteer and tutoring at Hartford High broadened my understanding of the troubled world in which we live, and awakened me to the fact that I can make a difference. Furthermore, both experiences helped me to see the value in volunteer service and reinforced my desire to make a positive impact.

It was with this desire to help others that I applied to a program called Teach for America. It's a program that places recent college graduates in troubled schools throughout the country. The idea is to give under-privileged students a better chance at success. Applicants for Teach for America need not have a degree in education; they are given TFA's own intensive teacher-training. It seemed like a good program and a good cause, given the ever-present need for quality education. Moreover, I felt Teach for America would allow me to do something important. For a long time now I've felt pressure to do something significant with my life. After all, I have two very successful older brothers to keep up with. I thought Teach for America would allow me to make a positive impact.

Much to my disappointment, Teach for America did not accept me. When I had applied to the program, I put any other plans on hold because if I were accepted, my obligation would have been for two years, and I had to ensure that I didn't have any other conflicting obligations. So, when I found out I was rejected, I was left without any concrete 'plan B.' Then, one day a co-worker of mine at the UConn Writing Center asked me, "why don't you look into the Peace Corps?" Her partner had served in Malaysia in the 1960's, and he loved it.

Before my co-worker mentioned it, I'd never really considered the Peace Corps. But, as I thought about it, it occurred to me that I was at a perfect stage in my life to pursue such an option. It also occurred to me that being a volunteer in the Peace Corps would allow me to serve the greater good, just as I would have with Teach for America. But, it seemed to me that the Peace Corps would offer far more than Teach for America in the way of cross-cultural and life-experiences. So, that same day I went to the Peace Corps website to learn more and to start my application. The rest, as they say, is history.

In retrospect, I'm glad that Teach for America didn't accept me. I have a couple friends in TFA who absolutely hate it. I've also heard that TFA's training for its teachers can be lacking, resulting in tremendous stress and high burn-out rates. Applying for the program, I knew it would be a challenge to jump into a troubled school-system and expect significant gains from an un-experienced teacher with limited funding, few resources, and under-achieving students. I understood it would be tough, but, as I've heard from some who have been accepted, it can be a little too much. Perhaps, as with many things, it's what you make of it. But in any case, I'm glad things turned out the way they did, because now I have the opportunity to serve in the Peace Corps--something I think I'll enjoy more anyhow. I'm trying very hard to go into the Peace Corps without any expectations. But, as I'm sure you can tell, I do have some. It's very hard not to. At the very least I do have the expectation that this will be a positive experience, no matter what happens (I'll make sure it is).

Staying Connected

My brother Jack and I were talking the other day, and he told me about JaJah, an online service for making cheap international calls. Using JaJah, most calls between the United States and Western Europe are about 3 cents a minute (US domestic calls are 2.8 cents/min). Calls from the United States to Romania (or vice versa) are about 10 cents per minute--still pretty cheap. It's even cheaper than Skype--they charge 12.4 cents/min for international calls to Romania. The only catch is that, like Skype, you need an internet connection to use JaJah. However, unlike Skype, you get to use a regular phone, which is pretty cool. In any case, I thought it was an interesting alternative to calling cards, especially if you're calling Western Europe (actually, calls to some countries are free between registered JaJah users--like the US, England, France, Germany, Sweden, China, Australia, and several others!!) .

How it works: You create an account with Jajah.com. Once you've registered, you can purchase credits (or not, in which case they'll bill you for the minutes you use at a later date). Then you place a call by entering your phone number and the number of the person you'd like to call on their webpage. JaJah will call your phone and then begin dialing the other person. Jack and I tried it, and it seems pretty dandy. Check it out.

In other news, this blog is now listed in the Peace Corps Journals directory. You can visit there to read the weblogs of other Peace Corps volunteers around the world. In fact, I was inspired to start my own blog only after reading the blogs of PCV's currently in Romania.

Preliminary Packing List

The idea of packing for a two year stay in Romania remains somewhat daunting. I'm worried about being able to pack everything I need into two bags while staying within wieght limits. I'm also mindful of the fact that I'll need to carry these bags around with me for some time before I settle, so comfort and easy handling are also considerations.

Here is a list of everything I could think of that I might need (I've always been big on lists--my mind is such a clutter). Some of it I may not end up taking, and I'm sure there are also things I forgot. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Clothing:
shorts
t-shirts
long sleeve t-shirts
socks
underwear
long underwear
winter socks
a few sweaters
rain jacket
winter jacket (carry on for flight)
light jacket/fleece
red sox hat
swimsuit
jeans
slacks
oxford shirts
ties
belts
sandals
dress shoes
hiking boots
sneakers
flip-flops
slippers

pack gloves, hats, necky, ski pants, winter clothes, etc into a box to be mailed for winter

Toiletries/Medicine/First Aid:
2 bath towels
facial scrub
body wash
soap
airborne
band-aids
tissues
toothbrush/paste
shampoo
floss
deodorant
razors
shaving cream
q-tips
sunscreen
toilet paper
advil/tylenol
pepto bismol
Imodium
Antiseptic
Benadryl
Tweezers
Nail clippers

Luggage:
Two large Suitcases/Duffle bags (sturdy, perhaps with wheels)
A day/weekend pack (collapsible)
Internal frame pack
Carry-on bag

Misc. Items:
2 pairs of glasses
Large compressible bags (zip-loc?)
String
Duct tape
Copy of inoculation record
Passport
Some Cash
Money belt
Professional resources (ie a guide on teaching English)
Address Book
Romanian Dictionary
Phrasebook
Notebook
Pictures of home and family
Knife/leatherman
Some paperback books
Small, basic cookbook
Favorite cooking spices
Earplugs
Luggage locks
Small, easily packable alarm clock (it also needs to be very loud)
Sleeping bag
iPod, charger, earphones
Power adapters/plug adapters
Camelbak pouch
Waterproof cover for frame pack
Nylon adjustable straps and carabineers
Insect repellant
Compass
Water-resistant stuff sack
Headlamp
AA batteries
Bandannas
Nalgene bottle
Water (for the flight)
Can opener/ corkscrew
Digital camera, cables, batteries, charger, flash cards
Travel sewing kit
Bedsheets
Laundry bag
Watch
Sunglasses
Thermometer (F and C)
Eating utensils
Pens/pencils
Pencil sharpener
Laptop, charger, Ethernet cable
Wirless internet card
International calling card
calculator
clothespins
wet wipes

Gifts:
Pennies (as a novelty for the children)
Candy (i.e. Hershey’s assorted bag)
Pictures/postcards
American paraphenalia (any suggestions?)

Things to do before departure:
Sell truck
Cancel auto insurance
Check with banks for account requirements in my absence

This I want to take that I don’t yet have:
Big compressible plastic bags
oxford shirts
thermometer
compass
international calling card
leatherman
phrasebook and dictionary
European power adapters
Copy of inoculation record
Batteries
wireless internet card for laptop
extra camera battery
extra memory card for camera
wall charger for iPod
small alarm clock

Romania at a Glance

Here's a clickable map of Romania showing major cities:


Here's a physical map of Romania:


I think Romania looks sort of like a butterfly fish. The mountains you see running through the middle of the country are the Carpathians (every time I mention the Carpathiains, I think of Ghostbusters II and Vigo). I really, really hope I get the chance to explore some of those peaks.

Here are some quick facts about Romania:

Official Name: Romania
Flag: Blue, Yellow, Red (Vertical stripes Left to Right)
Capital City: Bucharest
Geographic Coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E (Bucharest)
Land Area: 88,934 sq miles (~ the size of Oregon)
Coastline: 140 miles
Water: 4400+ sq miles
Borders: Ukraine (North); Moldova (Northeast) Black Sea (East); Bulgaria (South); Serbia & Montenegro (Southwest); Hungary (Northwest)
Population: 22,303,552 (July 2006 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Rroma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)
Languages: Romanian (official), Hungarian, German
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%
Transportation: Airports- 61, Railways- 7,074 total miles, Roadways- 123,544 total miles (37,310 paved, 86,235 unpaved)
Communications: Telephone- 4.39 million mainlines in use, Mobile Cellular- 13.35 million lines (2005), Television- 48 broadcast stations, Internet users- 4.94 million (2005), Internet country code- '.ro'
GDP Real Growth Rate: 6.5% (est 2006)
Official Currency: Leu
Exchange Rates: lei per US dollar - 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004), 3 (2003), 3 (2002)
Unemployment: 6.1%
Population below poverty line: 25% (2005 est)
Literacy: 98.4%
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Geography: Romania is the largest country in southeastern Europe and the twelfth-largest in Europe. A large part of Romania's border with Serbia and Bulgaria is formed by the Danube River.
The Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of Romania, with fourteen of its peaks reaching above the altitude of 6561 feet. The highest mountain in Romania is Moldoveanu Peak (8346 feet). In south-central Romania, the Carpathians sweeten into hills, towards the Bărăgan Plains.
The country has the largest brown bear population in Europe (about 54,000), while wolves, chamois (from what I gather, a goat-like creature) and lynx are also known to roam the Carpathians. On Romania'a farthest east border is the Danube River Delta, which spills into the Black Sea. It is a rich wildlife habitat, home to many species of birds, and a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve.

Hello all,

I've started this blog as a way to chronicle my experiences while in Romania. What I write here will serve primarily as my own personal journal, but it will also be a convenenient way for me to keep everyone back home up to date with life in the Peace Corps.

I've begun this blog in anticipation of my service. I haven't started packing, I don't really know any Romanian, and, in fact, I don't exactly know when I'm leaving, or even where I'll go when I get there. All this will come together as the time approaches. It seems this is about par for the course with me, I tend to wait till the last minute with many things, especially when it involves folding and putting away laundry or packing luggage. However, by starting this blog so far in advance, it seems I'm bucking the trend. Perhaps thats a good thing.

It's the unkowns with this venture that keep me interested. I sort of enjoy the mystery of the whole thing. Where will I be stationed? Who will I meet? What will I see? What will I experience? Will there be peanut butter?

It has occured to me that creating this blog may have been a rash move--who knows if I'll even have internet access in my city, town or village? However, from what I've heard, Romania's access to the web is fairly pervasive, and growing moreso with each passing day, so I'm willing to take my chances.

The projected date for the beginning of my service is May 15th, 2007 (of course, that's subject to change. Hopefully the Peace Corps will give me a definitive date within the next month). I know very few details, except that I will be working as an English teacher to Romanian high school students. As I've already said, I don't know where I'll be placed. I could be in an urban school, I could be in a very rural town, or I could be somehwhere in between. Whatever happens, I'm sure my service will be loaded with experiences, opportunities and challenges. And I plan to make the most of it.

Stay tuned for my adventures in packing...