Motivation Statement

I thought it might be interesting to share the motivation statement I wrote for my Peace Corps application...

My unique childhood, educational background, and passion for public service all contribute to my desire to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. I moved 12 times before I was 16 years old. I spent summers traveling Eastern Europe, living in Romania, Slovakia, and Georgia. In college, I studied international relations and interned during the summers at aid organizations in Tbilisi. This exposure gave me a glimpse of the vast inequities granted through birth, of the fascinating differences among cultures, and of the striking similarities within humanity. In the Peace Corps, I will get to live it: experiencing a new place, observing and participating in a different culture, interacting with people of different backgrounds and worldviews, and, most importantly, serving the crushing needs of people most deserving of help. I know there are many ways to see the world and help people in need; but, I believe the Peace Corps will challenge me intellectually, emotionally, and physically like no other experience, save war, possibly could. The interaction I have with young soldiers en route to war in Iraq and Afghanistan at my current job was the final impetus that motivated me to apply. I hold their commitment to service, mental discipline, and dedication to mission in great esteem. War, however, brings with it great hardship and pain. In becoming a Peace Corps volunteer I am seeking, in the words of William James, the “Moral Equivalent of War,” (1906). My educational background in international relations provides a strong knowledge base for grasping the situation of people living in developing countries. In college, I was taught about countries in terms of production possibilities, military alliances, and political atmospheres. Now, I seek a deeper understanding of the world through experience and observation. During my internships and travels abroad, I have felt myself repeatedly drawn to the struggles of everyday people. While working with USAID and ABA/CEELI in Georgia I saw the difference foreign aid can make in the lives of others. Although I believe that the role of development assistance organizations provide is important, I want to participate in helping others at a hands-on, local level. Through daily interactions and service I hope to make a positive difference in people’s lives, create lasting friendships, and learn valuable lessons for my return. Upon return, I intend to further my academic study of international relations with a focus on either conflict resolution or law. My future life plan is a career in academics or the public sector that will reflect what I learned during my Peace Corps experience and serve to make the world a more tolerant, understanding, and peaceful place.

Peace Corps Adventure Begins! (almost)

Finally! After more than a year of waiting (and the accompanying angst!) I received my invite to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria. I will begin pre-service training in Bulgaria May 12, 2010. Dates of service 24 July 2010-24 July 2012.

My job title is: Community Development Worker-Business Advising. I can't wait.