Excellent comments and hope you are doing well since coming back. Yes, Peace Corps was a "life changing experience" and coming back to the USA was/is the most difficult part, as you commented. Still after 30 years ( I served in Belize in 1985) Peace Corps affects my present life and always for the best.
Dear Emma, Yes, Once I was in a class with a teacher in my age of 12 when began my English studying in middle school. Even now totally lost the memory of his name and looking but still remember his passionate lectiring to the young boy how to pronounce naturally without local accent of each single word. I didn't know he was volunteered to be in Korea where almost nothing same from the life he used to have in home country and going home after certain period. But he was a man to show all kindness and eagerness to the class in his last year before his leaving I was too young who didn't know his return by that time but only enjoyed and catch all speaking in the class all time and repeat over the new words of different speaking from him, however regreting not remember his name now I was thinking his age was middle of twenty, now perhaps late 60 or early of 70 what age of him and where he lives now is not big issue but wish his healthy and happy life with family and thanks a lot for teaching to know different world and joy of studying to the 12 young Korean boy. Emma you also be a good teacher to the young ones in Mongolia in their life long memory Thanks for volunteers who are serving for the better world and experiencing the life changing opportunities with the unknown people but surely need your support indeed
20 years later I still think about my service. Perhaps not every day, but often. Everything you are going through is normal. I still miss Mongolia and I married a Mongolian! I never regretted it. I would join again tomorrow. JP M3
I have a learning difference and I have been teased about it. What got me through being bullied was that I raised money for Peace Corps based charity projects (and listened to UMass Doo Wop Shop, as well as other musicians). Fundraising for Peace Corps based charity projects made me the strong, independent adult I am today. It also made me realize that there is no better feeling IN ALL OF EXISTENCE than knowing that others are benefitting from your actions. I hope to be in the Peace Corps...
Hi Emma, My name is John Paul or "JP" actually, sorry I was on someone else's computer before. I was in M3 from 1993 to 1995. I actually am married to a Mongolian that I met in Peace Corps, so I still speak Mongolian a little and still eat buuz and hoshoor. I think you will think back often on your experience and the positive elements will grow while the negative aspects will fade. That is what most rpcv's say. It was a very positive experience for me.
a big thank you to Emma and other volonteers, who worked , still working and will do in my country, despite extrem weather and awful condition doing a great job in education, health and every other field, hope you still as enthusiastic, energetic and cheerfull as you use to be, wish you all the best!!!!!!
Yes. Peace Corps was so much fun. Africa itself was a friggin' blast. I encourage all US citizens to seriously consider PC. Toughest Job You'll Ever Love!
i just want you to know im i was thinking about joing and you have convinced me to go... you literally made me cry because i understood every word u said even tho i havent been thru it i know exactly what ur talking about
Great video. I was a PCV '84-'87 in Mali. I fully agree with your thoughts of bringing together the PC experience and life in the US, that is, how does one do that? I like your thoughts and the way you articulate them.
Hi, Emma (and other RPCVs!): I am an M8, and I was stationed in a hut (my host family got the ger), in Dornod aimag. No electricity, running water, or Internet... so it was a drastic change for me from Chicago, my home town as well. It was certainly an eye-opening experience, in terms of my own culture and what I left behind, what it means to live in a society operating with a second language, and the privileges of U.S culture. That question: "How was it?" IS so difficult. Thanks for sharing!
Great video, thank you for posting! I have a question, you said you have peace corps volunteer friends, I just got accepted into the Corps and I'm still a little confused on how that works. I was told most Peace Corps volunteers are the sole representative in their village unless it is a big city, then there could be a handful of volunteers designated for that site. Is that correct?
You really nailed it and did a great thing by filming this on your very last day - I felt similarly when I left Kyrgyzstan almost 20 years ago. I wonder how you're feeling now about five years later.
Hi! I'm considering joining. I was wondering what college degree you have?:) Very heartfelt video. Probably sending them this link was a lot easier then explaining what you were feeling 1000 times.
I want to join Peace Corps, but i'm scared to be going alone. Yes, because i'm a woman but i'm not exactly shure on how to sign up either... I really want to go but i'm terrified
Hi Emma I'm Mongolian student studying in Chicago I really like to meet you in person If you happen to be in Chicago next few days Let me know Bayarllaa
Its true The Peace Corps is the toughest job you will ever love. Start to think of a plan when you leave back to the USA. ( The experience is something you will never forget). My advice to anyone who is returning from The Peace Corps is go back to school or join the military. Civilian jobs aren't easy to come by at this time. Try to go Green to Gold and become an Officer. (I was in the Peace Corps in 1990 - 1992; then joined the military after working in Law Enforcement because it wasn't taking me anywhere). Check out all the armed services, see what each one hat to offer and see what job fits to your liking. Take into the account the sign-on bonuses college repayment program, what MOS’s are out there and if it ties in you major before joining the Peace Corps. Keep in mind become an Officer through Green to Gold. You will have a 30% pay increase once you get your commission. Good Luck in what ever you would like to do when you arrive back to the U.S.A.
You will experience more desperation and ennui in the good ole' USA than in Mongolia. It might take a while. Oh well,you can always do PC again or go teach English someplace that is interesting.Life is full of possibility.
Excellent comments and hope you are doing well since coming back. Yes, Peace Corps was a "life changing experience" and coming back to the USA was/is the most difficult part, as you commented. Still after 30 years ( I served in Belize in 1985) Peace Corps affects my present life and always for the best.
Dear Emma,
Yes, Once I was in a class with a teacher in my age of 12 when began my English studying in middle school. Even now totally lost the memory of his name and looking but still remember his passionate lectiring to the young boy how to pronounce naturally without local accent of each single word.
I didn't know he was volunteered to be in Korea where almost nothing same from the life he used to have in home country and going home after certain period.
But he was a man to show all kindness and eagerness to the class in his last year before his leaving
I was too young who didn't know his return by that time but only enjoyed and catch all speaking in the class all time and repeat over the new words of different speaking from him, however regreting not remember his name now
I was thinking his age was middle of twenty, now perhaps late 60 or early of 70
what age of him and where he lives now is not big issue but wish his healthy and happy life with family and thanks a lot for teaching to know different world and joy of studying to the 12 young Korean boy.
Emma you also be a good teacher to the young ones in Mongolia in their life long memory
Thanks for volunteers who are serving for the better world and experiencing the life changing opportunities with the unknown people but surely need your support indeed
20 years later I still think about my service. Perhaps not every day, but often. Everything you are going through is normal.
I still miss Mongolia and I married a Mongolian! I never regretted it. I would join again tomorrow.
JP M3
I have a learning difference and I have been teased about it. What got me through being bullied was that I raised money for Peace Corps based charity projects (and listened to UMass Doo Wop Shop, as well as other musicians). Fundraising for Peace Corps based charity projects made me the strong, independent adult I am today. It also made me realize that there is no better feeling IN ALL OF EXISTENCE than knowing that others are benefitting from your actions. I hope to be in the Peace Corps...
Hi Emma,
My name is John Paul or "JP" actually, sorry I was on someone else's computer before.
I was in M3 from 1993 to 1995. I actually am married to a Mongolian that I met in Peace Corps, so I still speak Mongolian a little and still eat buuz and hoshoor.
I think you will think back often on your experience and the positive elements will grow while the negative aspects will fade. That is what most rpcv's say. It was a very positive experience for me.
a big thank you to Emma and other volonteers, who worked , still working and will do in my country, despite extrem weather and awful condition doing a great job in education, health and every other field, hope you still as enthusiastic, energetic and cheerfull as you use to be, wish you all the best!!!!!!
Yes. Peace Corps was so much fun. Africa itself was a friggin' blast. I encourage all US citizens to seriously consider PC. Toughest Job You'll Ever Love!
Very Awesome! I love Mongolia(never been there).
i just want you to know im i was thinking about joing and you have convinced me to go... you literally made me cry because i understood every word u said even tho i havent been thru it i know exactly what ur talking about
Great video.
I was a PCV '84-'87 in Mali. I fully agree with your thoughts of bringing together the PC experience and life in the US, that is, how does one do that? I like your thoughts and the way you articulate them.
Hi, Emma (and other RPCVs!):
I am an M8, and I was stationed in a hut (my host family got the ger), in Dornod aimag. No electricity, running water, or Internet... so it was a drastic change for me from Chicago, my home town as well. It was certainly an eye-opening experience, in terms of my own culture and what I left behind, what it means to live in a society operating with a second language, and the privileges of U.S culture. That question: "How was it?" IS so difficult. Thanks for sharing!
Do u know Christian? he was stationed in Bayankhongor 97-2000
Great video, thank you for posting! I have a question, you said you have peace corps volunteer friends, I just got accepted into the Corps and I'm still a little confused on how that works. I was told most Peace Corps volunteers are the sole representative in their village unless it is a big city, then there could be a handful of volunteers designated for that site. Is that correct?
You really nailed it and did a great thing by filming this on your very last day - I felt similarly when I left Kyrgyzstan almost 20 years ago. I wonder how you're feeling now about five years later.
hi emma. nice to know you here
I miss my peace corps friends in indonesia
Hi! I'm considering joining. I was wondering what college degree you have?:) Very heartfelt video. Probably sending them this link was a lot easier then explaining what you were feeling 1000 times.
I want to join Peace Corps, but i'm scared to be going alone. Yes, because i'm a woman but i'm not exactly shure on how to sign up either... I really want to go but i'm terrified
Am debating doing this. If I get a associates in engineering will they want you?
Ugh I cannot wait to become a peace corps volunteer!
Great info.
did you speak/read the language at all before you went? what was your main job? :) thank you for sharing
Brilliant
Hi Emma
I'm Mongolian student studying in Chicago
I really like to meet you in person
If you happen to be in Chicago next few days
Let me know
Bayarllaa
Its true The Peace Corps is the toughest job you will ever love. Start to think of a plan when you leave back to the USA. ( The experience is something you will never forget).
My advice to anyone who is returning from The Peace Corps is go back to school or join the military. Civilian jobs aren't easy to come by at this time. Try to go Green to Gold and become an Officer. (I was in the Peace Corps in 1990 - 1992; then joined the military after working in Law Enforcement because it wasn't taking me anywhere).
Check out all the armed services, see what each one hat to offer and see what job fits to your liking. Take into the account the sign-on bonuses college repayment program, what MOS’s are out there and if it ties in you major before joining the Peace Corps. Keep in mind become an Officer through Green to Gold. You will have a 30% pay increase once you get your commission.
Good Luck in what ever you would like to do when you arrive back to the U.S.A.
what was your MOS? officer or enlisted?
25V Combat Camera and Video Production I was a Sergeant. Did two Combat tours.
What would you like to do?
The Best Happy Men
right on
look for green to gold
Believe what you want boy. That is your choice. Most people don't even attempt something such as PC.
Should of went to.peace Corp tonga you would of had fun
and sorry, still on someone else's account :)
You will experience more desperation and ennui in the good ole' USA than in Mongolia. It might take a while. Oh well,you can always do PC again or go teach English someplace that is interesting.Life is full of possibility.
hbp
Cuties ? You have some low standards.