Hi everyone,
I'm sure this issue has arisen many times before, but I could use some help with my Peace Corps application essays. I have included the questions as well.
My desire to serve in the Peace Corps is rooted in my great yearning to learn about new cultures and serve people. During high school I had the opportunity to serve in an orphanage in Mexico. The experience revealed to me the intricate beauty that can be revealed when other cultures are experienced. My time in the orphanage also exposed poverty to me and to the revelation that many people throughout the world are in dire living conditions. This experience inspired me to research and learn more about poverty, ultimately leading me to pursue a position within the Peace Corps.
One of my goals is to start a NGO (Non-government organization) that focuses upon poverty. I foresee this organization focusing upon research concerning poverty, specifically within the third world. Eventually, I would like to see this organization play an integral role in policy making towards this issue. Ultimately, I believe any experience I receive within the Peace Corps will be greatly beneficial to this goal.
I believe the third core expectation will be most challenging for me. The transition from life in the United States to the third world is definitely intimidating. I foresee myself initially struggling with the new culture and language barriers, however I am a firm believer in learning through trial and error. I believe mistakes are an inevitable part of this experience. Realizing this is an important part of the process and will ultimately be helpful in integrating into the new environment. My schedule during my time in Mexico was routinely in flux. We rarely had a set time for our projects or events. This was initially very challenging, however by the end of the trip I felt comfortable with the idea of not knowing what was next, while learning to take things in stride and to become flexible. Through this experience, I became a more adaptable person. I feel as if these learned attributes will help me greatly within the Peace Corps.
My past experience in Mexico revealed to me the importance of adaptability. As I mentioned in the previous essay, I had the opportunity in high school to serve in a Mexican orphanage. This experience was challenging. I immediately noticed differences between my own culture and the one I had transplanted into. For instance, I observed that Mexican culture tends to be more physically affectionate, whereas the culture I was raised in is less physical when it comes to expressing affection.
This difference was difficult for me to overcome. I generally do not like to be touched by people who I do not know that well. I remember talking with one of the leaders on the trip about this problem that I was having. She reminded me to place myself in the shoes of the people I was serving and to visualize what it would be like for someone to refuse or be repulsed by friendly gestures. This advice helped me immensely. I soon began to see how important touch was to the people I was serving and subsequently developed a greater appreciation for the culture.
Overall, this experience revealed to me the importance of empathy and flexibility. These are two traits that I will definitely bring with me to the Peace Corps. Empathy is important for understanding foreign cultures. The act of placing oneself in another individual's shoes is immensely important in brining about understanding. Empathizing with another is also a helpful way of resolving conflict.
Flexibility is another important characteristic that I hope to carry into my Peace Corps experience. Along with empathy, being flexible is an important part of integrating into a new culture. Flexibility means demonstrating a willingness to change or adapt to a new environment. To me, this is probably the most important aspect of being a Peace Corps volunteer. Being able to adapt to a new culture and new surroundings is imperative to becoming culturally proficient. All in all, I hope to carry both of these characteristics with me to the Peace Corps.
I'm sure this issue has arisen many times before, but I could use some help with my Peace Corps application essays. I have included the questions as well.
Serving People
My desire to serve in the Peace Corps is rooted in my great yearning to learn about new cultures and serve people. During high school I had the opportunity to serve in an orphanage in Mexico. The experience revealed to me the intricate beauty that can be revealed when other cultures are experienced. My time in the orphanage also exposed poverty to me and to the revelation that many people throughout the world are in dire living conditions. This experience inspired me to research and learn more about poverty, ultimately leading me to pursue a position within the Peace Corps.
One of my goals is to start a NGO (Non-government organization) that focuses upon poverty. I foresee this organization focusing upon research concerning poverty, specifically within the third world. Eventually, I would like to see this organization play an integral role in policy making towards this issue. Ultimately, I believe any experience I receive within the Peace Corps will be greatly beneficial to this goal.
I believe the third core expectation will be most challenging for me. The transition from life in the United States to the third world is definitely intimidating. I foresee myself initially struggling with the new culture and language barriers, however I am a firm believer in learning through trial and error. I believe mistakes are an inevitable part of this experience. Realizing this is an important part of the process and will ultimately be helpful in integrating into the new environment. My schedule during my time in Mexico was routinely in flux. We rarely had a set time for our projects or events. This was initially very challenging, however by the end of the trip I felt comfortable with the idea of not knowing what was next, while learning to take things in stride and to become flexible. Through this experience, I became a more adaptable person. I feel as if these learned attributes will help me greatly within the Peace Corps.
Mexico Experience
My past experience in Mexico revealed to me the importance of adaptability. As I mentioned in the previous essay, I had the opportunity in high school to serve in a Mexican orphanage. This experience was challenging. I immediately noticed differences between my own culture and the one I had transplanted into. For instance, I observed that Mexican culture tends to be more physically affectionate, whereas the culture I was raised in is less physical when it comes to expressing affection.
This difference was difficult for me to overcome. I generally do not like to be touched by people who I do not know that well. I remember talking with one of the leaders on the trip about this problem that I was having. She reminded me to place myself in the shoes of the people I was serving and to visualize what it would be like for someone to refuse or be repulsed by friendly gestures. This advice helped me immensely. I soon began to see how important touch was to the people I was serving and subsequently developed a greater appreciation for the culture.
Overall, this experience revealed to me the importance of empathy and flexibility. These are two traits that I will definitely bring with me to the Peace Corps. Empathy is important for understanding foreign cultures. The act of placing oneself in another individual's shoes is immensely important in brining about understanding. Empathizing with another is also a helpful way of resolving conflict.
Flexibility is another important characteristic that I hope to carry into my Peace Corps experience. Along with empathy, being flexible is an important part of integrating into a new culture. Flexibility means demonstrating a willingness to change or adapt to a new environment. To me, this is probably the most important aspect of being a Peace Corps volunteer. Being able to adapt to a new culture and new surroundings is imperative to becoming culturally proficient. All in all, I hope to carry both of these characteristics with me to the Peace Corps.