Concerns About Peace Corps Service

I’ve received several emails and phone calls from friends and family in regards to their anxiety regarding my PC service. I posted one of the emails I received from a close friend at work below.  I believe her email sums up most of the fears\worries that my family and friends have voiced.  So, I posted my reply to her email below, that I tweaked a bit, to cover other worries\concerns that other friends\family have voiced.

Alison’s Email

“I get so much anxiety just from reading the comments from other PC volunteers. Now remember that I am a worrier at heart. It’s just who I am, so reading about things that you will be without and possibly encounter makes me worry for you. I have full faith in that you can handle yourself among the people you are helping, but in my world caring about someone equals worry. I am excited for you and a bit envious. I wish I had the confidence and security in knowing that I could go somewhere so far away (and alone) and be alright.”

 My Response

I’m very excited about my PC service too! However, I know the knowledge and excitement from friends and family in regards to my service in South Africa, has also brought about some anxiety and worry.

I’m not naive enough to say with complete assurance, that I will be “ok” while I’m in South Africa…and you are not naïve enough to believe me if I said, “Don’t worry, I’ll will be completely fine.”  Things happen that are out of our control, and these “things” will happen rather I’m on Kentucky soil or African soil! No one can predict the future, or when our time on this Earth will come to an end.  I could get hit by drunk driver on my way home today, or an elephant could run me over in Africa! On a less ominous note, I could sit here day after day and deal with the stress brought about by irate customers, or I could deal with the stress of culture shock in Africa.

However, I can offer you some reassurances that I have the ability to control.  I can assure you that I will be careful!! I believe that the best way to be safe is to be educated about my new environment.  So, I’ve been reading and studying everything I can find about South Africa.  The Peace Corps will also give me comprehensive safety trainings.  The training will include where we (PCV) should and shouldn’t venture in South Africa, behaviors that are considered taboo for females, etc. There is also training, that includes HIV-AIDS education, water treatment, food safety, etc.  I hope that the knowledge that I will not put myself in harms way, will help you not be so anxious about my safety. 

I know that there will be many things that I will be without. I will more than likely not have running water, hot showers, etc, and I’ve been trying to prepare myself to live without worldly pleasures. However, I will without a doubt, miss my family and friends the most.  I will not know anyone in the entire country…or for that matter the entire continent!!! I’m trying to let that sink in…I feel like I should be little more anxious than I am. It’s strange to consider, that I will not bump into anyone for 2 ½ years that I’ve ever met in my entire life (except fellow PCV)!!  Everyone and everything will be new and different…including the food, language, customs, etc. 

Part of me feels like I should be really nervous about all that….however, I’m not….I’m just really excited!! I know that my PC service will be a life changing event, and I welcome the experience with open arms.  I only hope that I can give back as much as I know I will receive!  I know that there will be times that I will probably get soooo lonely that I will question my sanity and judgment for joining the PC.  However, that’s where you guys come in…..just send me lots of letters!!

I can assure you that you have the ability to join the PC or go on some other adventure and be completely ok.  After all, you have just recently started (for the 2^nd time), the biggest and most fulfilling adventure of you life…the adventure of motherhood!  I think that makes you very courageous!! My adventure will only last for 2 1\2 years.  You motherhood adventure will last the rest of your life…I think that takes much more strength, endurance, and security than I could handle!! I still haven’t had the courage to have a kid!!