I would like to warn you that I'm not a writer by any means. I am applying to the peace corps and I need some comments that would better my writing. Any comments would be a great help.
Thank again
Essay #1
Upon returning from Costa Rica I visited my friend and his fiancé. After sharing my photos and catching up, my friends fiancé turned to me and said "Eric you're a nomad, will you ever settle down?" I thought for a minute, a nomad? I never thought of myself like this. I mean I can see how she got to this, for the last two years I've have lived and worked in a wilderness, traveled cross country by myself, and live in a foreign country, but a nomad?
Nomad, well I guess that's what I've become. I didn't always have this itch to explore, or so crudely put by my friend fiancé a need to become a "nomad" I was once your typical college student from the mid-west. I was on a path that I, at that time, thought was the right way; graduate college, get a job, and live your life. It wasn't until I volunteered with SCA and work in the wilderness of Idaho didn't my outlook on life change.
After the summer in the forest I began to veer away from the path I was leading. I took a step back and observed on where I was going, what I was doing and what my purpose was. You see after three months of living off my back I began to see that material items and superficial needs weren't the answer, that's when I realized that the Peace Corps was the nest step.
Within the peace corps I would be able to use my skills and training to help others. I realize that 27 months is a major commitment, but I feel this is the next step. I feel that Peace corps will provide me with the necessary foundation for a successful life and career. I understand this would be one of the hardest thing I have done, but I feel that I have prepared myself and im ready for the challenge....sami, this ending needs some help. I sound like im in the army.
Essay #2
A few months ago I found myself in Costa Rica. Upon landing in this foreign land I soon realized that I knew nothing about the language, the culture or the people. I was what you would call your typical American college student looking for adventure; well I found it and would be living this adventure for three months.
I was one of 13 students that would be studying an living in a small town about two hours north of San Jose, Costa Rica. Each student would live with a host family within the community and would attend classes at a local nature preserve. The program was built around the idea that a student would be immersed into local cultures and would study under Costa Rican professors.
During the three months I ran into some challenges, let me rephrase that I ran into a lot of challenges. You don't really understand how important communication and integration is until you are unable to do it. I lived with a host family that spoke only a few words in English and I only spoke a few words in Spanish which made for very difficult situations. As if miss communication wasn't enough I like the other student were trying to transform from American culture to Costa Rican culture and for those who have tried to immerse themselves into a foreign culture it's not as easy as it sounds. The challenges were at some time quite trying, but the benefits far outweighed them.
Looking back at my experience and comparing it to what I think the Peace Corps might be like, I feel that it was pretty similar. With my time in Costa Rica I feel that it has opened my eye to what volunteering in a foreign country might be like. Now I know that spend 3 months in country is a whole lot different the 27, but I think I'm strong enough and prepared enough for service.
Thank again
Essay #1
Visit to Costa Rica
Upon returning from Costa Rica I visited my friend and his fiancé. After sharing my photos and catching up, my friends fiancé turned to me and said "Eric you're a nomad, will you ever settle down?" I thought for a minute, a nomad? I never thought of myself like this. I mean I can see how she got to this, for the last two years I've have lived and worked in a wilderness, traveled cross country by myself, and live in a foreign country, but a nomad?
Nomad, well I guess that's what I've become. I didn't always have this itch to explore, or so crudely put by my friend fiancé a need to become a "nomad" I was once your typical college student from the mid-west. I was on a path that I, at that time, thought was the right way; graduate college, get a job, and live your life. It wasn't until I volunteered with SCA and work in the wilderness of Idaho didn't my outlook on life change.
After the summer in the forest I began to veer away from the path I was leading. I took a step back and observed on where I was going, what I was doing and what my purpose was. You see after three months of living off my back I began to see that material items and superficial needs weren't the answer, that's when I realized that the Peace Corps was the nest step.
Within the peace corps I would be able to use my skills and training to help others. I realize that 27 months is a major commitment, but I feel this is the next step. I feel that Peace corps will provide me with the necessary foundation for a successful life and career. I understand this would be one of the hardest thing I have done, but I feel that I have prepared myself and im ready for the challenge....sami, this ending needs some help. I sound like im in the army.
Essay #2
Foreign Costa Rica
A few months ago I found myself in Costa Rica. Upon landing in this foreign land I soon realized that I knew nothing about the language, the culture or the people. I was what you would call your typical American college student looking for adventure; well I found it and would be living this adventure for three months.
I was one of 13 students that would be studying an living in a small town about two hours north of San Jose, Costa Rica. Each student would live with a host family within the community and would attend classes at a local nature preserve. The program was built around the idea that a student would be immersed into local cultures and would study under Costa Rican professors.
During the three months I ran into some challenges, let me rephrase that I ran into a lot of challenges. You don't really understand how important communication and integration is until you are unable to do it. I lived with a host family that spoke only a few words in English and I only spoke a few words in Spanish which made for very difficult situations. As if miss communication wasn't enough I like the other student were trying to transform from American culture to Costa Rican culture and for those who have tried to immerse themselves into a foreign culture it's not as easy as it sounds. The challenges were at some time quite trying, but the benefits far outweighed them.
Looking back at my experience and comparing it to what I think the Peace Corps might be like, I feel that it was pretty similar. With my time in Costa Rica I feel that it has opened my eye to what volunteering in a foreign country might be like. Now I know that spend 3 months in country is a whole lot different the 27, but I think I'm strong enough and prepared enough for service.
