Plans

I wasn’t sure if I should share this but I’m just going to go ahead and share this because…I think about it every day and it’s important and it shows how much my Peace Corps service is affecting me.


I’m a woman with a plan. I’ve been thinking what I may want to do after Peace Corps: go straight back to school, get a job and then go back to school, or…extend my time of Peace Corps service. I am set to leave Mozambique in December 2011. I will only be 23. My only obligation is that I must go back to grad school by 2014 in order to still be eligible to receive my MSW degree in one year. You are probably thinking why in the world would I want to extend my service? I believe in the work I am doing. I love Africa. I love the experience I’m gaining. I may have the option to extend my service in another country. I could go somewhere that speaks another language…I could learn French! I’m sorry if this is a shocking disappointment to some people. You’re probably thinking how could I want to do that and be away from home for even longer? It would be the same if I were in the States. People get older, grow up, and see each other less. But distance somehow brings everyone closer together. Someone told me that I should come straight home after Peace Corps and “make a life for myself.” Maybe that person meant it’ll be time for me to go back home, get my masters, get a job, find someone to get married to. I feel pressured to go straight back to knock out all of those things. But is that really what I’m supposed to do? I’ve decided that I’m in no rush for any of those things. Of course this is all talk right now. I’m going to leave my options open, see what doors of opportunity arise, and see where the wind blows me. Right now it’s blowing me to go eat lunch with Emily…Have a nice day!