So Why the Peace Corps?
Its a fair question. A question I get from pretty much everyone who learns that I'll be going to Kazakhstan to teach English for over 2 years of my life. Well most of my decision was that I just wanted to help others. Though teaching English to people seems a little bit like U.S. imperialism and therefore globilization (imo globilization has far more negative consequences vs. benifits). World poverty is only growing and this is evidenced in the ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots. English is becoming the universal 2nd language and therefore anyone who learns it has a better chance to help themselves and their family garner a better existence. People are people, some are good and some are bad but most of the time they are just trying to scrape by and I really don't care where their from. (This is also a political statement on current events)
The 2nd part of my decision is more selfish in nature. At my age this may be the only oppurtunity for me to do this before responsibility and life begins to get in the way. I swore long ago I would not have a kid prior to actually living. I like to travel, I like to experience different cultures, and I like to learn different languages (to bad I couldn't learn German) best of all the government pays for me to do all 3 of these things. This marks probably the only time the government will pay for anything that is directly for me.
"But 2 years is so long, won't that get in the way of your career aspirations" -
well as much as I know we only have one life and I might as well experience as many new oppurtunities as possible prior to being forced into the daily grind of work. Their is no doubt I'll miss things on a personal level. Such as friends getting married, events, deaths but hopefully this experience will help me learn more about myself. Then of course it may all be one big bust too.
I haven't distributed this link to many yet but if anyone wants to comment go right ahead.
posted by Jose N. @ 5/22/2006 05:10:00 PM
0 comments
