The hardest part of my application

The hardest part of my application was, by far, the essay portion. I've posted my two essays and the prompts that went with them to give you an idea of my interest in the Peace Corps. I must have edited them a least 100 times, and still feel like they do not capture my desire to think, feel and live beyond my own personal borders.

Cross-cultural Experience
Peace Corps Volunteers must be open to ideas and cultures different from their own and may need to modify their appearance or behavior appropriately. Give an example (between 250-500 words) of a significant experience that illustrates your ability to adapt in an unfamiliar environment. Please highlight the skills you used and the perspectives you gained. You may draw from experiences in your work, school, or community in the U.S. or abroad. Please list the date(s) of your experience.

August 2006 – May 2007
Unlike visiting a foreign country, living abroad poses unique challenges. Growing up, I traveled frequently and even spent time doing service work in Vietnam. Never having had trouble adjusting to cultures far different from what I anticipated experiencing in France, I barely gave the decision to spend my junior year of college in Paris more than a moment’s thought. During my time abroad, I discovered whether you are learning to appreciate ancient customs or navigate an urban jungle, the process of absorbing and adapting to a new culture requires sensitivity and resilience.

When traveling abraod, there was always someone to walk me through that culture’s traditions patiently until I could manage my hosts’ social expectations in the limited time I shared with them. Living in France, I was expected to make these discoveries on my own … one faux-pas after another. Aside from the challenge of
functioning in a second language, the nuances of the French culture seemed as alien to me as anything I experienced in Vietnam. I was unsure how to overcome my host family’s negative notions about Americans or cope with the anxiety of being one of the only Anglophones in many of my classes.

As I struggled to find my place in this new environment, I drew from the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “You must do the things you think you cannot.” I knew the only way to succeed would be to dive headfirst into my fears and uncertainty and fully immerse myself in the culture. I focused my enthusiasm and creativity on engaging my host family and found as I gave more of myself to them, they returned the favor. They taught me about traditional French pastimes, invited me to attend social events with them and take part in family traditions, making me as much a native to their lifestyle as if it were my own. I also began tutoring French students who showed me how to live in Paris like a young Parisian, instead of an American struggling to fit in. They encouraged me to laugh at my mistakes and saw my progress even when I could not.

Living in Paris forced me to find my inner strength through perseverance. The experience was emotionally challenging, but rewarding in ways I never imagined. A deep appreciation for les Français replaced my one-dimensional understanding of their culture and I returned to the United States as a citizen and a foreigner. I learned to appreciate our differences and grow through them, giving up my cultural identity for a
new one.

As the global community becomes more connected, I believe it is increasingly important to be a citizen of this world heritage. Studying in Paris gave me the tools to delve into an unfamiliar culture and understand new interests and concerns. I found that the differences which initially seemed to divide us were the points that brought us together most frequently in a deep cultural exchange that was both unforgettable and
profound.


Motivation Statement
Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. You have provided information on how you qualify for Peace Corps service elsewhere in the application. In the space below, please provide a statement (between 250-500 words) that includes: 1) Your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer; and 2) How these reasons are related to your past experiences and life goals.

Although I was only a senior in high school, when I returned from Vietnam after two weeks of community service in the Mekong Delta, I knew I wanted to apply to a program like the Peace Corps where I would have a positive impact on other peoples’ lives. The richness and warmth of the Vietnamese culture still inspires me to evaluate how I measure happiness and success outside of traditional socioeconomic standards. I was moved on a daily basis by the tenacity and generosity of each person I met, even when they were faced with great adversity. In two weeks, we brought hope and joy to the families we worked with and they helped us find new depth within ourselves … I can only imagine what each Peace Corps Volunteer accomplishes in two years.

Throughout college, I struggled to find a career path that would help me leave a positive mark on the world. Fifty years from now, I want to look back over my life and know I had the courage and compassion to make choices that put others’ needs in front of my own. Serving in the Peace Corps would give me the opportunity to share my
talents and blessings with others, while learning from and enjoying my host culture.

I am attracted to this program for its ability to address the changing needs of the world. Peace Corps Volunteers not only help people build their lives and meet their potential, but give them the skills and resources to be continuously successful. If I am accepted, I look forward to making a lasting difference in the world as we work
and learn together.

I know serving in the Peace Corps will be a tremendous challenge, but as I learned from studying abroad, the more ambitious the goal, the more gratifying the results. This experience will push my limits as an individual physically, spiritually and culturally. I am strong, self-motivated and prepared to face both the mental and physical challenges of being a PCV head-on, knowing every obstacle will benefit others and help me grow on a very personal level.

Joining the Peace Corps will also give me a unique professional opportunity by preparing me for future international work. Traveling abroad taught me a great deal about myself and helped me put my goals into perspective. When I returned from Vietnam, I knew I needed to repeat that type of immersion and service experience on a deeper level. Similarly, when I finished studying in France, I realized how important it was for me to continue to work abroad and exchange cultural experiences with others. Being a PCV will help me achieve these goals. I believe serving in this way is the next step in my personal and professional development, be that through acquiring a third language, honing my French skills if I am placed in a Francophone area, or simply deepening my understanding of the world around me. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

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"What? Do you think it's just a bunch of ditch diggers?"

I was sitting with my brother at lunch this winter talking about my job search. Crisis, of course. I wanted to do something meaningful and exciting, but all I could come up with was the prospect of a future in corporate America. As the older, wiser sibling, he suggested I look into the Peace Corps because his friend Mark served a few years ago and loved the experience. I was a little apprehensive at first. I had no idea what the Peace Corps really did, but I was fairly convinced that whatever it was, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

None the less, I have always wanted to return abroad to serve people in need. The thought of traveling to an exotic location and living in another culture for two years sounded interesting. After an afternoon of research, I knew I needed to apply. I spent the rest of winter break pouring over my application, reading and rereading information on the Peace Corps website to learn as much as I could, and discussing the logistics of spending 27 months abroad with my family and friends.

The application process was extensive. I was astonished by how thorough and organized everything was. The entire process from start to finish was very inspiring and affirmed in my mind over and over again why I wanted to do this. As they say in the Peace Corps: "Life is calling. How far will you go?" ... and I want to go all the way.

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