Before starting service, every Peace Corps Volunteer receives an invitation packet from their assigned country, which includes an official invitation to serve, paperwork, and a "welcome book" from the invitee's assigned country. The welcome book contains lots of information about the country in general, the culture, the work assignment, a packing list, etc. At the end of the welcome book, there are letters from current volunteers, intended to give invitees the authentic "voice of the volunteer." I was asked to write one of these letters for the next edition of the Morocco welcome book, and thought I'd share it here. I realize that it's too long, but what can I say? Its a little more than difficult summing up all that could be said about my time here so far and all that I've learned. So, here you have it:
Dear future Peace Corps Volunteer,
It has been said that Morocco is a study in contrasts: the modern with the traditional, the desert heat with the mountain chill, and the recent successes with the lingering challenges. Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco follows the same pattern; indeed, my first year of service has been simultaneously the most difficult and the most rewarding year of my life.
I am inspired daily by the hospitality and generosity of the Moroccan people, when friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers from my town invite me in for a delicious meal, no questions asked, solely out of a desire to welcome a newcomer and share their company. I am amazed by the youth I’ve come to know at various summer camps across the country, whose enthusiasm, language skills, and humble kindness are beyond their years. I am inspired by Fatima, the women’s literacy teacher in my town, who has devoted her life to ensuring that just a few more women will learn the value of reading, writing, and expressing themselves, despite the obstacles. I am moved by the spirit of the women who have come to my events, learning and discussing openly with one-another about women’s rights, family law, and gender dynamics in Morocco. I’m inspired by the numerous women’s associations I’ve worked with throughout my service, who work tirelessly against cultural tides to improve women’s health, education, literacy, and independence. I’m amazed at the strength and dedication of the girls in my soccer club, who come to practice week after week, despite cultural norms and vocal boys who would rather they stay off the field. Most importantly, I’m touched by the willingness of my Moroccan friends, neighbors, and counterparts to work with me as I navigate a foreign culture, master a new language, and adjust to all the nuanced challenges of working in an unfamiliar context.
The most challenging aspect of life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco is learning to adjust your expectations – expectations of your service, your work, your site, and yourself. Peace Corps advises you to come with no expectations, but we all know that that isn’t possible; the important thing will be knowing that your expectations may not be met, and in fact will likely change dozens of times throughout your service. I had a certain set of expectations of myself and my service when I came to Morocco, and almost every aspect of that has been turned upside down from the moment I arrived – by the difficulties of my site, by my primary assignment, by my working conditions, by cultural issues, and a whole host of other factors. And adjusting all of your expectations – especially when in the midst of adjusting to life in a new culture and learning a new language – is hard. It was much harder than I’d expected, and I admit that there were days when I didn’t know how I was going to manage. After a year of service, though, I’ve learned the importance of learning to go with the flow, to expect the unexpected, and to adjust when things don’t go as planned. Most importantly, I know that although my service isn’t at all what I expected, it is still meaningful, challenging, fulfilling, and beautiful in its own right.
In addition to all Morocco will teach you about cultures, languages, and yourself, your time as a Peace Corps Volunteer will undoubtedly give you a new perspective on time, patience, and what success can look like. In America, success means things like launching a large initiative, hosting hundreds of people at event, raising thousands of dollars for a cause, etc. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, though, success can mean having a conversation with a few girls, in which they share the struggles they face and you encourage them to find their voice and reach for their goals, despite the odds. Success can mean suddenly realizing that after months of living with, eating with, shopping with, and learning with Moroccan friends, you’ve become completely immersed in the culture. Success can mean sharing a joke with a woman in a crowded taxi whom you’ve never met, in a language you’ve just learned, about something you both can relate to across cultures. Indeed, perhaps the most meaningful successes as a Peace Corps Volunteer are those that involve bridging the gaps, forging lifelong bonds, and changing perceptions one smile at a time.
Kirsten Zeiter
Youth Development Volunteer, 2012-2014
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