macook3
Feb 24, 2015
Undergraduate / Peace Corps Essay "Most Likely to Live in Another Country - 8th Grade Me" [2]
So this is my essay for my Peace Corps application. This is only a rough draft and grammar is rough at the point. I am focusing on main themes and flow. Let me know what you think/ if you think I would make a good candidate!
Prompt: Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. In the space below, please provide a few paragraphs explaining your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer and how you plan to overcome the various challenges associated with Peace Corps service. This essay is the writing sample Peace Corps uses to assess your professionalism and maturity as a candidate. Please spend time editing your essay/writing sample (less than 500 words).
Essay:
June, 10 2007 - I sat quietly in my cap and gown in an uncomfortably warm auditorium. "Michael Andres Cook" the announcer began as I received my diploma. I began to shake hands as the announcer continued, "voted by his class as most likely to live in another country." This sounded like a lofty goal in the distant future as an eighth grade graduate. Now a senior at the University of Wisconsin, Peace Corps offers me this and much more.
Although I've been abroad numerous times for internships and family visits to Colombia, I've never been able to dedicate myself to creating change, however small or large. I strive to become a PCV so I can apply my education to improve the lives of a community. I look forward to living modestly and creating sustainable health changes in a community during the adventure of a lifetime. Many ask why I don't continue local service. I respond, "Only Peace Corps offers me intense cultural immersion where I can be a positive American ambassador while learning about myself and a different culture."
Being able to share my stories and pictures between my hometown and Peace Corps community will hopefully influence others to learn about our global community. These international experiences can change an individual's thought process; moreover, they have the potential for creating peace, small and large.
But what makes the journey meaningful are the challenges encountered. I began to think of physical complications: weather, sickness, and extreme discomfort I've been fortunate enough to avoid throughout my life. As I considered applying more seriously, I pondered various emotional challenges: missing my family and their milestones, feelings of alienation and loneliness, living in a metaphorical fishbowl, and two years away from everything I know. I wondered, How will I apply what I've learned while respecting cultural norms? How will I function without an app-for-that? Will my community like me? Can I handle the extreme death-rate of developing countries? These questions have made me deeply consider my success as PCV and planning will make this difficult and rewarding adventure possible. Ongoing preparation and communication with family and friends will create a smoother transition.
My flexibility and adaptation have been proven by motivation and commitment during extreme weather, sickness, and sleep deprivation. I'm creative and live for a challenge. I'm willing to step far outside my comfort zone to form new comforts away from home by trying something new: a new cuisine, way of life, and a second family! Most importantly, I understand I will not be instantly successful and I remain positive and committed until success.
Gaining trust within the community will be the greatest challenge. Learning the language and customs as early as possible will be the first step. Further, I've learned that trust forms when a community and culture is shown the respect it deserves. One must completely embrace and follow their way of life at all times with all preconceived notions aside. Trust formed, I hope to share my skills while my community enriches me.
I am aware the Peace Corps won't be easy. These difficulties and hard times will be worth new culture, learning, and enriching myself. Living with, learning from, and serving people in need is one of my greatest passions and I know I am ready for the challenge, because even one life changed is an opportunity for a better tomorrow.
Words: 565
Thanks!
So this is my essay for my Peace Corps application. This is only a rough draft and grammar is rough at the point. I am focusing on main themes and flow. Let me know what you think/ if you think I would make a good candidate!
Prompt: Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. In the space below, please provide a few paragraphs explaining your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer and how you plan to overcome the various challenges associated with Peace Corps service. This essay is the writing sample Peace Corps uses to assess your professionalism and maturity as a candidate. Please spend time editing your essay/writing sample (less than 500 words).
Essay:
June, 10 2007 - I sat quietly in my cap and gown in an uncomfortably warm auditorium. "Michael Andres Cook" the announcer began as I received my diploma. I began to shake hands as the announcer continued, "voted by his class as most likely to live in another country." This sounded like a lofty goal in the distant future as an eighth grade graduate. Now a senior at the University of Wisconsin, Peace Corps offers me this and much more.
Although I've been abroad numerous times for internships and family visits to Colombia, I've never been able to dedicate myself to creating change, however small or large. I strive to become a PCV so I can apply my education to improve the lives of a community. I look forward to living modestly and creating sustainable health changes in a community during the adventure of a lifetime. Many ask why I don't continue local service. I respond, "Only Peace Corps offers me intense cultural immersion where I can be a positive American ambassador while learning about myself and a different culture."
Being able to share my stories and pictures between my hometown and Peace Corps community will hopefully influence others to learn about our global community. These international experiences can change an individual's thought process; moreover, they have the potential for creating peace, small and large.
But what makes the journey meaningful are the challenges encountered. I began to think of physical complications: weather, sickness, and extreme discomfort I've been fortunate enough to avoid throughout my life. As I considered applying more seriously, I pondered various emotional challenges: missing my family and their milestones, feelings of alienation and loneliness, living in a metaphorical fishbowl, and two years away from everything I know. I wondered, How will I apply what I've learned while respecting cultural norms? How will I function without an app-for-that? Will my community like me? Can I handle the extreme death-rate of developing countries? These questions have made me deeply consider my success as PCV and planning will make this difficult and rewarding adventure possible. Ongoing preparation and communication with family and friends will create a smoother transition.
My flexibility and adaptation have been proven by motivation and commitment during extreme weather, sickness, and sleep deprivation. I'm creative and live for a challenge. I'm willing to step far outside my comfort zone to form new comforts away from home by trying something new: a new cuisine, way of life, and a second family! Most importantly, I understand I will not be instantly successful and I remain positive and committed until success.
Gaining trust within the community will be the greatest challenge. Learning the language and customs as early as possible will be the first step. Further, I've learned that trust forms when a community and culture is shown the respect it deserves. One must completely embrace and follow their way of life at all times with all preconceived notions aside. Trust formed, I hope to share my skills while my community enriches me.
I am aware the Peace Corps won't be easy. These difficulties and hard times will be worth new culture, learning, and enriching myself. Living with, learning from, and serving people in need is one of my greatest passions and I know I am ready for the challenge, because even one life changed is an opportunity for a better tomorrow.
Words: 565
Thanks!