Having a Safe Peace Corps Life
A Closer Look at Aspects of Living, Adjusting in a Foreign Country
Jun 12, 2007
The Peace Corps has long been coveted as a renown organization that helps persons in developing countries meet the needs of their people. Peace Corps has been sending volunteers all over the world for more than 45 years to do just that and has done a good job of that.
However, in 2003, Peace Corps was the subject of a major investigative series by the Dayton Daily News regarding lack of safety and security for volunteers serving overseas. The series received much praise, received a Pulitzer Prize nomination and forced Peace Corps to quickly and more publicly heighten its commitment to the safety of volunteers. And while safety was a major consideration for Peace Corps before the series, the articles gave people considering Peace Corps and their parents something to think twice about.
But safety and security is clearly and loudly addressed by Peace Corps before volunteers depart during a 3-day period known as staging. During this time, many of the organization's policies are explained. This is done through lecture sessions with some videos, but also activities that require participation from volunteers about cultural differences, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs they may face while abroad. There is also discussion about sexual harassment, reporting a crime and other aspects of living in a foreign country that one may take for granted.
Staging is also the first time a volunteer group will meet each other before leaving for their country of service. Once they arrive in the country, safety and security is again addressed during Peace Corps' pre-service training, which varies by country but is usually two to three months long. Language, cultural and business and/or technical sessions are also part of the training.
While all this might sound good in writing. Adjusting to a whole new environment is one of the toughest things about living abroad. Cultural differences - such as how to purchase goods, how to travel and how to dress - cannot be taken lightly as volunteers will become frustrated, tired and question if they are making a difference. For example, being on time for a meeting or meeting a deadline is not essential in many developing countries. To state that progress - within the country and on volunteer projects - can be slow is an understatement.
On the flip side, a volunteer who shows a 40-plus-year-old man how to turn on a computer may not seem like a big deal, but it will mean the world to him.
The bottom line for volunteers is to blend in as much as possible, make friends of that culture and represent yourself and your country as best you can.
Volunteers who make an effort to blend in by participating in various activities, such as social functions, celebrations or everyday routines, get more out of the experience. Making friends also increases the chances of someone of being protected against someone who is not an ally. And representing your country goes along with how you carry yourself since in many parts of the world, the lives of Americans are only represented through television, like "Jerry Springer" and MTV.
In the end, safety and security is as important as it is in the U.S. For the American living overseas for two years, it amounts to common sense, caring actions and a commitment to serve, have fun, be respectful, and learn.
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