The Trials & Tribulations of an Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteer: Part I

Where do I even begin?

I'm sure you're all assuming from a title like this that I am about to go on a massive rant. Fear not, for I am not here to rant, but rather to help you gain some perspective.

For anyone who is not in the Peace Corps this may be difficult to figure out. The entire thing really is truly an experience that can only be understood by fellow Peace Corps Volunteer. Alas, I shall try my best to explain. First I will start by introducing myself.

My origins story:

I was originally born in Tbilisi, Georgia (yes Georgia the country, NOT the state). When I was just 5 months old, I was put up for adoption by my biological mother. For any of you history buffs out there, you know the many difficulties that followed the fall of the Soviet Union, which lingered into the 90's. Russia and Georgia have never been on good terms. This was a scary time for all, and therefore my biological mother thought it was best for me to be adopted by an American family. Thus, I began my life in America at the tiny age of 5 months. From now on in the story when you hear me referring to anyone in my family I am speaking of my adoptive American family. Since I was so young when I was adopted, they are my first family.

Here is a map of Georgia. I was born in the capital city of Tbilisi.

A spark in passion:

My father works in the field of Humanitarian Disaster Relief dealing with various things such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and humanitarian crisis (ex, health and famine). My whole life I had been around this and it had me very intrigued. My father would go on, what I assumed at a young age, was wild Indiana Jones' type adventures. Now that I'm 25 I realize these trips abroad were most likely filled with various meetings. But nevertheless--adventurous. My childhood was filled with memories of him coming from foreign lands bearing incredible gifts! This one time from Africa he brought me a bracelet made from elephant hair. It was so thick, almost like wire. I was amazed.

My career pathway:

I earned a Bachelors in Photography but always knew I had a passion for helping people and always hoped to somehow link the two together. I really discovered this passion on my first volunteer trip with the organization NPH (NOT Peace Corps) to The Dominican Republic. I went the summer before my last year of University. I fell in love with helping others, navigating different cultures, and living in foreign lands. Just that short trip (less than a month) was not the end of adventure for me. I had to get more. I returned to America to complete my Bachelors. Shortly after graduating, I got a Photography gig as an Assistant to a National Geographic Photographer in his studio (sounds more glamorous than it was in reality). I was envious of all his travels/experiences so I eventually decided to jet off on my own! I then set off all the way across the world to live in China, teaching English. I remember the week before I left I was in the car with my father when I asked him, "Do you think I'm crazy? Going all the way to China?". To which he responded, "No, not at all. Maybe some people think it is, but when I was your age I would have never been brave enough to travel all the way across the world, to live so far from everything I knew. It takes a special kind of person. I never could have done that at your age. You're really my hero". I looked out the window, with tears in my eyes. I was so touched because my whole life I always thought of him as my hero. Anyway, back to China. I was there for almost 2 years and it just kept me wanting more of everything. Helping others, traveling, photographing. During that time in China, I was promoted within a few months to the company's Regional Public Relations Officer, in addition to teaching English. I was fortunate enough to have many holidays off so I ended up backpacking all over Asia and photographing. I will add, not as much as I probably should have considering it is my craft. To be honest, at times I found the camera to be distracting in such foreign and colorful lands such as India.

Me and Peace Corps:

I was in the office one morning with the rest of my Public Relations team. I felt I would not want to be in China long term, so I began job searching. During this search I ended up on the Peace Corps website. It had always been a dream of mine to join but I never thought in a million years they would choose me, so I never tried. I mean why should they? I didn't feel like I was anything special. I mean family members and friends always told me how amazing it was that I travel, photograph, and backpack. But that doesn't always make it true. I mean isn't family supposed to tell you nice things anyway? However I thought about it and I did have English teaching experience, and lots of international experience. I said to myself, "You technically are qualified. Maybe even more than others since you're well-traveled and have a TEFL certificate already". My wonderful Public Relations team took part in convincing me to apply for the position posted in The Republic of Georgia. I wrote a compelling essay about how I was originally from there but had to flee due to political unrest. Not even a week later they asked me to join the Peace Corps! All the way from China, I called my family to tell them the good news whilst jumping up and down on my bed. I couldn't believe it--me? Seriously? Me? Of all people? I felt somehow so undeserving but ecstatic all at the same time. But I didn't want to sell myself short. If they are accepting me it must mean they think I can handle it...right?

Part II Coming Soon

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