Para-guay Am I Doing This?

In a whirlwind few months of doctors appointments, pre-departure meetings, packing, Spanish lessons, and saying goodbye to all of my friends and family, it’s only in the last week that - ironically - I find myself with time to breathe and reflect. As I sit on my bed looking at the four bags that contain everything I’ll be bringing on this adventure for the next 27 months, there’s one quote that plays over and over in my head. 

“Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.” It’s one of my mother’s favorite quotes, and it’s been my anchor throughout this whole process. 

I decided about a year ago that I wanted to join the Peace Corps. Now, from someone who grew up in the homogeneous bubble of suburbia that is East Greenwich, Rhode Island and then went to school for marketing in New York City at Fordham University, this may seem like a big leap. But the reality is that this seems only natural for my life path.

 I’ve grown up volunteering at local soup kitchens, retirement homes, and boys and girls clubs around the country. I've had internships at social enterprise incubators and homelessness nonprofits. Throughout my college years, I was fascinated and inspired by sustainable business classes, and always said I wanted to work for an organization that made a difference. At my core, I am driven by a deep desire to help others and find my greatest fulfillment in making a positive impact on the world. I am so excited to begin an environmental protection program in Paraguay.  

I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what I was getting into. The job description is to "focus on promoting sustainable and effective environmental practices with youth, community members and community institutions." You remember those people that came into your classroom in elementary school and talked about "reduce, reuse, recycle"? That's gonna be me. In a country I've never been to, in two languages (Spanish and Guarani) that I do not speak!

I am nothing but excited for the journey ahead, and I'm thrilled to be able to chronicle that journey in this blog. I leave for my staging event this Sunday, and will arrive in country Tuesday. My goal is to do a monthly recap, so stay tuned for updates 😊