An Introduction

I began considering joining the Peace Corps (PC) sometime in high school. I never really knew what the specifics of the PC were, but I knew that it would allow me to travel around the world. I have always been eager to escape the monotony of my life in the States to experience "new" corners of the world. The travel bug really bit me during my first trip abroad without my mother. During the summer of my senior year some peers and I (and of course adult chaperones) traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico on a service learning trip. While there we took intensive Spanish classes, and volunteered at an orphanage and a school to teach English. Three years later I was a rising college junior taking classes at the University of West Indies St. Augustine campus in Trinidad. Getting academic credit for taking classes on my own culture (and acing them both of course) was an extremely fulfilling experience.

 I continued by international learning spree by enrolling in a semester abroad with SIT in Kigali, Rwanda. My time in Kigali was amazing and unmatched by any other experience I've had in my life. I attempted to maintain a blog while I was there (murahokigali3.blogspot.com/ if you're really interested) but failed miserably after a few posts. I will try to make this blog more regular with the hope that I will have regular access to internet.

 I chose to apply to the Peace Corps for a myriad of reasons but here are the most important ones (in no particular order):

1) Studying in Kigali piqued my interest in international development work. This new interest continued to blossom throughout the rest of my time in college. By the time I graduated I was dead set on studying ID for my master's. PC is the perfect feeder organization for this degree.

2) While doing research on ID I realized that there were few high level professionals in the field that looked like me. As a young Black female living in the US I have come to acknowledge that this is an (unfortunate) societal norm. The ID field is filled with well intentioned (for the most part) White men and women who may or may not be inflicted with White guilt, while shouldering the immense "White man's burden". To pick out a Black or Brown face in the sea of White is like, for lack of a better phrase, searching for a needle in a haystack. This severe lack of racial/ethnic diversity dramatically decreases the achievability of true sustainable development. There should never be one voice speaking for the "betterment" of the many. I hope that my voice and experiences can help diversify the ID discourse. (this paragraph is proof that my Spelman soc/anthro lens hasn't worn out yet lol).

3) I wanted to do development work within the African Diaspora

4) Most ID master's programs require 2+ years of experience in the field


As a result of these facts and many others, I convinced myself to turn in my application in August 2013 and begin the much hated PC waiting game. Seven months, countless medical exams, legal forms, background checks, and near anxiety attacks later I received my invitation to Colombia.

I was elated to have been selected for this program. From the few clues my interviewer provided me with, I thought that I would be headed for Nicaragua. After reading the invitation email and having a massive internal freakout I began the endless preparations for my August 2014 departure.

Now with one month left until my staging flight to Miami, it still hasn't hit me that I'll be leaving the country for two years. The ever growing pile of clothes, electronics, toiletries, and day to day supplies is starting to frighten me a little. I have no idea how they will all fit in the allotted two bag- 50 lbs each luggage limit. I try not to think of how I will say goodbye to my friends and family who have all supported my throughout my application process. I do have two requirements though.

NO MARRIAGES AND NO BABIES

That goes for friends and family! Engagements and pregnancies are allowed though lol (but I'm serious). Anyway this is getting long and I'm getting tired. Until next time!