After the peace corps

I learned from them; and I learned that they had really learned from us. I cannot imagine a sweeter success than that kind of connexion, or the realisation that even when the best purpose go awry there is still buried within a potentiality success story: although as a state we may have learned little then from grizzly bear Adams about autonomy and regard for nature, some folks someplace did. 

I imagine and hear of even more measurable successes--like the Rwandan-made "peace" baskets--sold out at Christmastide in Manhattan!  Or in Burkina Faso where recycled plastic bags that littered the city streets were now collected by women and woven into dolls sold at high-end U.S. dress shop. These successes may not straight be due to the Peace Corps, but I say they have Peace Corps written all over them, whether in statistical distribution, marketing, populace campaigning, technical expertise, interlingual rendition, or contacts.

My own inspiration for connection the Peace Corps was a prof and my thesis chair and most challenging teacher, now Divisional Dean of world at Grand Canyon State State University, Dr. Deborah Losse, who says:

“I learned that I had led a very privileged life. I became aware of the need to listen and learn from those around me. I learned to take nothing for granted--especially hot water. The importance of looking around to find clues for how to respond was brought home to me again and again. As a result of my experience, I have never felt that money was important--having enough to get by on is important, having more is not important.”

One of the star volunteers of our little group was Tony Southard, now Hershey’s National Director of Sales Latin America Division, and just for the record, my ex-husband. He went from English teaching to chocolate sales in a matter of weeks upon returning from the Czech Republic and found himself in a career that would appear to be a distinct turnabout from the Peace Corps image: sales. It has paid off as his numerous and consistent promotions demonstrate. Now living the expat lifestyle we once could only dream of in an equestrian community in Guadalajara, he like so many others, is still impacted over a decade later.

"The Peace Corps experience taught me to navigate all types of unique situations, social and professional. I learned to be prepared, but adaptable; cautious and aware of my surroundings, yet open and receptive to spontaneous events; to convert the most challenging and difficult situations into exciting new opportunities. Most importantly, my time there taught me to appreciate the cross-cultural differences and embrace the traditions and values of my host country. What I learned from the Peace Corps translated into my being accepted as one in their communities.” 

Peace Corps success is undoubtedly reflected in volunteers’ success. As Southard says: “When else are you going to get the government to pay to teach you a language and send you around the world and still not expect you to fight?”  A flippant remark but made expressly, because anyone that knows him has no doubt he cultivates good will, and is a model of decent American behavior abroad, inspired no doubt by his parents, and the Peace Corps.