Here is essay number 1:
America Privilige
My desire for wanting to join the Peace Corps stems from growing up underprivileged, living through hard times, and coming away from all of this a strong and compassionate person. Throughout my life I have learned that it is the most difficult experiences that one gains the most from -- makes them a stronger, better person. Knowing that there are so many people in the world living in hardship, it is impossible for me to just sit here living my normal life when I know that there is something that I can be doing to help.
My major in college was International Studies with a focus on Africa because I wanted to better understand why the continent was in such distress and what I could do to help. After I interned abroad at the Cape Town Refugee Center, I learned that I may not be able to help everyone, but even just bettering the lives of a few people is more fulfilling than anything else. It is this feeling of wanting to do more and change the lives of others in need is why I want to serve in the Peace Corps.
The past experience of interning coupled with my studies have helped give me direction towards the path of my future goals. Career-wise, I don't know what exactly I want to do, but I do know that I want to work in international development either with an NGO, or a government organization continuing to help others at the grass-roots level. Serving in the Peace Corps will not only give me a great advantage into the career and lifestyle that I want to pursue, but will also give me a chance to intimately get to know a new culture and also give them the help that they deserve.
I expect to satisfy the Peace Corps 10 core expectations by remembering that I am a visitor in someone else's home and by being respectful and responsible with all of my actions and words. Even after I have integrated into and become apart of the community, I will keep these same ideals in mind. Having lived abroad before, I have some understanding of what it means to be a visitor and to not judge others on their beliefs and what is normal for them. My decision to join the Peace Corps is not one that I have taken lightly and am aware of the 10 expectations and have considered each of them very carefully. The one that will probably be the hardest for me is possible living in hardship. This is because I am so accustomed and comfortable with the lifestyle that I have made for myself, but I have the rest of my life to live comfortably. Committing two years to living the same way as the other two-thirds of the world's population lives is something that everyone should experience as a reminder of how privileged we are to be American.
Essay number 2:
Africa Adaptation
Adaptation has always been a strong characteristic of mine. As a child I moved from house to house, from mom to dad, and from California to Oregon my senior year of high school. I'm not going to say that these changes were easy, especially leaving all of my childhood friends and family, but I always understood why we were moving and knew that I could either protest the situation and make the worst of it, or accept it and try to make the best of it. When I applied to intern in South Africa my senior year of college, I was not scared to move to a new continent because moving and adapting was nothing new to me -- just a part of life.
The second day I was in Cape Town, the other interns and I went to a braai. A braai is Afrikaans for a big barbecue where hundreds of people gather to have a big party. Each of us payed R100 and then sat at a table where a bunch of side dishes and drinks were served. After stuffing ourselves with sausage, chicken, and pap, we wandered around to talk with the locals. This was in September 2008 right before Obama was elected and right after Thabo Mbeki resigned, and so politics were a big topic. We were advised to stay away from that topic because Bush was still in office, and he was not well-liked by South Africans. Nonetheless it came up and I was asked if I supported my president. This was a tricky question because keeping in mind that I was representing my country, I didn't want to say that I didn't support him and show negativity towards my government. Instead I ended up saying that I didn't agree with all of his policies, but that didn't mean that I didn't love and support the United States. This was a valuable lesson for remembering that I am responsible for how I am perceived as a representative of the United States of America at all times.
I left that evening not only feeling like I had made a connection, but also that I was welcomed as a foreigner. I also learned that everyone has the right to their own opinion and that it is okay to discuss them but while keeping respectfulness and cultural sensitivity in mind. These are some key qualities that I look forward to bringing with me when I am serving as a volunteer.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!Very strong essay, Ashley! Once in a while I see an essay and cannot really think of much to say because it is already so good. The story is very interesting and convincing (i.e. in the second essay, about politics and your interaction with those s. african people who asked about your opinion)... it's all very strong.
I'll make a few suggestions for improving the wording, though:
My desire for wanting to join...
"and so" is sometimes frowned upon by academics and snooty grammarians. I would just do this:
and right after Thabo Mbeki resigned, and so politics were a big topic.
Good luck in the Peace Corps!
