Aspiration Statement

Yeah, so... like I said before: it felt stupid writing this because I cannot even begin to know what it will be like to be a volunteer. It really is something so foreign to me... it feels like everything that I wrote is in some way foolish or naive ya know.... like looking back in your journal to see what you wrote when you were 14. Its like, at the time you truly believed what you were writing but now you realize it was totally naive. That's what I think it will be like to look back on my aspiration statement in 3 years. I'll probably laugh at myself and think, "that girl had NO idea what she was getting herself into". but oh well, here it is nonetheless.

A: I plan to use my previous classroom experience as a professional attribute during my service. The leadership and communication skills that I was able to develop while teaching in the classroom will surely be beneficial in my new classroom experience during my service. I also plan to use the organizational skills that I used both in the classroom and as a camp counselor during my service as well; those past experiences allowed me to learn how to adapt to many situations and use my creativity to the best of my ability.

B: In order to help host country partners meet their expressed needs I would first listen to exactly what it is they want or need and then figure out how these desires would positively (and/or negatively) affect their community. After clearly defining the needs of the hosts, I would do my best to work with them and initiate a way to get their ideas off the ground; I think that because there will probably be a language divide, it will be very important to make sure that all the needs and wants of the host country partners are clearly explained and established before any big moves or decisions are made. This is vital to assuring that the end result of a project/task will actually be what they needed in the first place. With that said, it is extremely important that listen to people and try to understand their situation.

C: I think that the main strategy that I will have for adapting to a new culture will be to learn the history behind why/when certain things are/are not done in the country. Understanding why people do certain things is one of the best ways to appreciate why it is they do the things they do; and this understanding can come from learning the history behind cultural customs. With respect to my own culture, I will focus on how important and special my culture is to me and just think about how important their own culture must be to them. Another strategy I have is that I will do my best not to take any situation or opportunity for granted; when offered a food that I’ve never heard of before or invited to do something I’ve never done before I will always remind myself that what I am doing is something that many people will never have the chance to do or see. Hopefully that attitude will help me to actively participate in my new culture and community and thereby help me to adapt easily.

D: The most important skill that I believe I can learn during my pre-service training is the language! I just feel that when it comes to truly helping people and giving them what they need, it is imperative that nothing gets lost in translation. Communication is key in all relationships in life and this is no more evident than in the relationship between a volunteer and the community in which he/she works. Along with language I hope to gain knowledge about the political climate of the country as well as its societal norms and taboos. Having a well rounded understanding of my future community and project will help me to make prudent decisions, both personal and professional, during my service.

E: I think that the Peace Corps will influence the way I do business in my life; not only will it affect the way in which I do business in professional relationships but it will also affect how I do business in personal relationships. I think that the way that I look at the world will be different and that I will have much more drive and confidence to change the things that I believe are wrong or unfair. I think that after my service I will have a much better idea of what career path I want to take. As far as personal aspirations are concerned, I am sure that the way in which I spend my money, my time and my efforts will be greatly influenced by my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer. To put it plainly, I hope that after my service, I come out a stronger, smarter, more grateful human being in all aspects of my life.