Peace Corps volunteer in Perquín, Morazán, El Salvador
While at RMC, I double majored in Spanish and International Relations- both of which I'm putting to good use. Although my family was less than thrilled when I told them, upon graduating from college, I'd be going to work for free, I think they've come around to the idea.
This is one of the most challenging things I've ever done. I find myself in a state of confusion for much of the time, because while I was well prepared at RMC, no one taught me how to communicate in the Salvadoran countryside. For example, that there are five different ways to say "cow", myriad words for "corn", and there are words that mean one thing in 19th century Spanish literature class that take on a totally different meaning here. However, although when I first arrived my spoken Spanish was less than stellar, I impressed my host family because I knew the word for a donkey's bray (I've got don Quijote to thank for that) and I've got to take my points where I can get them.
People ask me all the time- why Peace Corps? I've got a few answers, but really I think that it is important to stretch your limits and to be outside your comfort zone. Some days, I'd really like to get back into my comfort zone, find some hot water and watch some horrible reality television, but I wouldn't trade the experience I'm having for anything. Functioning in another language, for me, means functioning in a different culture. Saying "naked" when you mean "knot", finding species of bugs I didn't know existed (in my bed), chatting with people on the street, and trying to understand what is going on around me are all part of the game
here in my new life.
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