As I try to catch everyone up, I found this one was a written awhile back.
I have to say I was put through the ringer during the Peace Corps application process, but then again, everyone is. That’s part of it and until recently I really didn’t understand why. It probably didn’t help that I started expecting an invitation to come in the mail last July since I was originally nominated to leave in October. Finally, on December 24 (yes, Christmas Eve), I was told that there was a letter that was waiting on the counter for me. I knew exactly what this meant.. finally my invitation had arrived. Through the little plastic box in the invitation envelope, I saw Nicaragua in bold lettering. My first reaction was to say out loud, “oh no, this isn’t good.” Wait, wait.. keep reading. After officially making Peace Corps Wiki my most visited site and stalking it daily for new updates, I remembered that Nicaragua was leaving late January and thought.. there is no way I can prepare for this. As I pulled my Volunteer Description out of the packet, I became even more frustrated when I saw I was leaving in MAY 2011! May was so far away, what was I going to do with all of this extra time?
Thank goodness I didn’t leave in October, I would have missed out on so many important opportunities. After getting over the initial feeling that this would never happen, I was offered the opportunity to start an internship with Charleston Waterkeeper, a local environmental non-profit, which proved to be an amazing experience. Besides working with motivated, super cool individuals, I was able to learn so much along the way about water quality issues and water policy.
Just as I was deflated, yet again, to hear that I wouldn’t be leaving according to my plan in February, I forced myself to start a website for my small jewelry venture and had my first jewelry show with three to subsequently follow. This proved to be my most valuable experience in the field given that I was assigned a job as an entrepreneurship teacher in public high schools. Also, I was able to see Matt’s new ice cream company (Roots) get off the ground which was incredibly exciting. Watching him struggle (but only at times) taught me a lot. While all of these experiences were great and prepared me for my future job, as I deepened myself in the Charleston community, it made it so much harder to leave.
So, Nicaragua. While I initially surprised by my assignment and it was the last place on my radar, I now realize that I couldn’t have asked for a better placement.
I hoped for Ecuador all along, but I know about South America. I understand it. Frankly, I didn’t know all that much about Central America. Or I’ll rephrase that, I didn’t pay nearly as much attention to Central America in my Latin American Studies classes. Most of my ideas relate to Costa Rica, which I now know is a whole different world. While thoughts of luxurious linens, yoga resorts and five star chefs sound fine and dandy, I’m not sure it’s entirely appropriate for my Peace Corps assignment. And don’t get me wrong, I love yoga as much as the next guy.
While most places in Latin America have suffered from political unrest, the more I read, the more I realized how Nicaragua has never quite been able to recover from its past. I was even more shocked to learn that Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere behind Haiti. However, Nicaragua is also a beautiful country and through all I have heard, populated with amazing people. In one country alone there are beaches, mountains, lakes, and volcanoes.
I’ve included a couple of links to Anthony Bourdain’s Nicaragua Episode. In addition to food, it offers an honest glance into Nicaraguan politics and poverty. I’d encourage you to watch...
I have to say I was put through the ringer during the Peace Corps application process, but then again, everyone is. That’s part of it and until recently I really didn’t understand why. It probably didn’t help that I started expecting an invitation to come in the mail last July since I was originally nominated to leave in October. Finally, on December 24 (yes, Christmas Eve), I was told that there was a letter that was waiting on the counter for me. I knew exactly what this meant.. finally my invitation had arrived. Through the little plastic box in the invitation envelope, I saw Nicaragua in bold lettering. My first reaction was to say out loud, “oh no, this isn’t good.” Wait, wait.. keep reading. After officially making Peace Corps Wiki my most visited site and stalking it daily for new updates, I remembered that Nicaragua was leaving late January and thought.. there is no way I can prepare for this. As I pulled my Volunteer Description out of the packet, I became even more frustrated when I saw I was leaving in MAY 2011! May was so far away, what was I going to do with all of this extra time?
Thank goodness I didn’t leave in October, I would have missed out on so many important opportunities. After getting over the initial feeling that this would never happen, I was offered the opportunity to start an internship with Charleston Waterkeeper, a local environmental non-profit, which proved to be an amazing experience. Besides working with motivated, super cool individuals, I was able to learn so much along the way about water quality issues and water policy.
Just as I was deflated, yet again, to hear that I wouldn’t be leaving according to my plan in February, I forced myself to start a website for my small jewelry venture and had my first jewelry show with three to subsequently follow. This proved to be my most valuable experience in the field given that I was assigned a job as an entrepreneurship teacher in public high schools. Also, I was able to see Matt’s new ice cream company (Roots) get off the ground which was incredibly exciting. Watching him struggle (but only at times) taught me a lot. While all of these experiences were great and prepared me for my future job, as I deepened myself in the Charleston community, it made it so much harder to leave.
So, Nicaragua. While I initially surprised by my assignment and it was the last place on my radar, I now realize that I couldn’t have asked for a better placement.
I hoped for Ecuador all along, but I know about South America. I understand it. Frankly, I didn’t know all that much about Central America. Or I’ll rephrase that, I didn’t pay nearly as much attention to Central America in my Latin American Studies classes. Most of my ideas relate to Costa Rica, which I now know is a whole different world. While thoughts of luxurious linens, yoga resorts and five star chefs sound fine and dandy, I’m not sure it’s entirely appropriate for my Peace Corps assignment. And don’t get me wrong, I love yoga as much as the next guy.
While most places in Latin America have suffered from political unrest, the more I read, the more I realized how Nicaragua has never quite been able to recover from its past. I was even more shocked to learn that Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere behind Haiti. However, Nicaragua is also a beautiful country and through all I have heard, populated with amazing people. In one country alone there are beaches, mountains, lakes, and volcanoes.
I’ve included a couple of links to Anthony Bourdain’s Nicaragua Episode. In addition to food, it offers an honest glance into Nicaraguan politics and poverty. I’d encourage you to watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhEIMNVmWgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4eS52aWUks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPDKGduC2DU
1 comments:
Thank you for the pre-departure information.
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