FAQ # 1: Why Peace Corps?

Below is a copy of the motivation statement I submitted in my original application:

Mother Theresa stated “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” This is the attitude that I have in all of my volunteer experiences, and becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer would allow me to take it a step further. Ever since my first visit to Vietnam, I realized that there are many people in the world who are less fortunate than I am. Knowing that I could have been one of the young beggars on the streets selling cigarettes instead of being able to go to school and enjoy daily meals with my family, I was inspired to volunteer in my community to help underprivileged children. Although I have done most of my volunteer work locally and am a strong advocate of doing so, I feel that with my family background, I have an even stronger responsibility to give back to the world with the opportunities I have been afforded. I am interested in joining the Peace Corps to expand my horizons and to use my leadership skills at an international level where I know my help is most beneficial.
One of my future goals is to organize a learning center that provides long-term academic and career advancement programs to help underprivileged children realize their potential and motivate them to enrich their future. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I want to work towards that goal and get more hands-on experience while learning about youth in different countries. This will give me a bigger picture of a profession in the youth development field and allow me to be creative when working in a new setting with limited resources. I will work to establish a fun and positive learning environment and bring everyone together to address the needs of the community. In the process, I hope to learn about a new culture and share my knowledge with others.
In my past volunteer experiences, the key to my success in maintaining a strong relationship with each of my clients was good communication. As a Family Literacy Program tutor from 2003-2005, my language barrier between the parents and students was the most challenging aspect. The families I served were low-income and English was their second language. Instead of letting this get in my way, I brought bilingual books that we could work on together and added Spanish to my course load at school. It was exciting to see my Spanish improve, but it was only possible because of each of the families’ willingness to listen and practice with me.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by family, friends, and mentors who continue to help me succeed, and I hope to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer to provide the same guidance and motivation to the children in my assigned community. I know that as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I can make a difference, even if it is just one drop in the ocean.