she doesn’t let the challenges of the job get to her, and loves translating and teaching English. She admits she’s been fortunate in her assignments—a Ugandan village, a Costa Rican butterfly garden and currently a village in Thailand—and cautions that applicants don’t get to choose their destination, although the Peace Corps does try hard to work with one’s skills, interests and goals when making placements. “Get out there and serve, and if you can do it internationally, great. Learning a new culture will change you for the better,” says Lubeck. Volunteers may choose the Peace Corps to appease their wanderlust, but by the time the rigorous, nearly one-year application process is completed, they recognize that they are going to be providing valuable service in challenging environments. And they are prepared. “Individuals need to be sure it’s the proper path for them. Everyone says it’s glorious, but there are some not-so-beautiful aspects, too, like outhouses, no running water and other things,” adds Fellows. She also suggests anyone considering the Peace Corps speak to former volunteers and ask lots of questions. And recent graduates may discover that the right time for them is after getting a little more life experience. For Sarabeth Brockley ’10 the push came from an environmental studies class with Diane Husic, professor of biological sciences. Brockley says, “Her interests defined the type of life she advocated for others. She was a heavy influence on my decision.” Brockley chose the Peace Corps for a “field-based technical training in the environmental sector” before choosing a graduate program. Brockley is still in her training period, and recently received an assignment to a small village in Peru where she’ll work with a local NGO trying to help the local community preserve its water. She will be responsible, with a handful of others, for “facilitating a change in habit/attitude toward making money quickly,” in an area attractive to tourists, but where water is an issue. Challenged by her surroundings, and aware there is much she does not yet know, Brockley acknowledges what she has already gained. “Peace Corps places a heavy emphasis on
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—Sarabeth Brockley
volunteers being the facilitators of change,” she says, stressing that the community is always involved at all stages to see what it is it wants. “You see local people taking control of their own problems and fostering their own solutions when they all are in a room together. That’s incredible to watch.” Husic believes the students who end up serving overseas have something inherently different about them—confident, independent, self-starters who are exposed to issues that pique their interest. Certain classes and programs at Moravian are tailor-made to encourage research and discovery into environmental and social justice issues, which the Peace Corps later helps them realize in action. “The exposure these students get [from class discussions and conferences] creates a sensitivity and interest in other cultures,” says Husic. “They’ve requested the areas, and are serving in the areas, that relate to what they’ve learned. I would like to see more students think about the value of traveling abroad to see other cultures and the differences and things that we have that we take for granted.” “Preparing your life economically, professionally and emotionally for 27 months of service is no easy feat,” says Brockley. There are no guarantees that the sacrifices will result in a positive experience. “It’s all part of letting the pieces fall into place.” “Having the call to service is paramount. You don’t make big bucks, but you gain much more than you expect,” Fellows says. “Peace Corps is a game changer. You can take what you’re passionate about and figure out how to make a living you’re happy with and excited about.” W Visit www.peacecorps.gov.
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