Aspiration Statement

After accepting my Invitation, I was prompted, like every Volunteer, to create an "aspiration statement" pertaining to my impending service, as well as an updated resume.  Well, resumes have always been boring, so I won't bother you with that.  However, I found reading Returned Peace Corps Volunteer's (RPCV) aspiration statements beneficial.  Hopefully, my words will help a new Invitee in the future.

Aspiration Statement

Samantha Alexander

Ukraine

March 7, 2016

A: Three professional attributes that you plan to use during your Peace Corps service and how these will help you fulfill your aspirations and commitment to service.

            I believe the key to unlocking human relationships, both professionally and personally, lies within being genuine, empathetic, and respectful. When one dons these adjectives and actively uses them in their life, individuals that are interacted with tend to be more accepting, open, and trusting.  I feel that this type of human connection is even more essential in the cross-cultural situations the Peace Corps provides because our success as a volunteer isn’t necessarily measured by our actual job description; it’s measured by the relationships we build and the understanding we create between our country of service and the United States.  Essentially, our success is depicted in the relationships we’ll create with those around us. While I am in service, I plan on actively using these traits to connect both in the workplace and out to enrich the relationships and experiences I will encounter as a Volunteer.  Anyone can fulfill a job duty, but not everyone can make a real, personal difference while working that job, and that’s what I’ve signed up to do. 

B: Identify two strategies for working effectively with host country partners to meet expressed needs.

            I believe patience and active listening are crucial when needs are trying to be met.  Rarely will someone be forward enough simply tell you exactly what they need to feel comfortable.  Rather, we discern this through body language and subtle (or not so subtle) hints.  When we take away the behaviors we are culturally adapted to, there is very little one can do to meet needs without being open and forward, which is very foreign and uncomfortable to many Americans.  Going through this type of transition will be frustrating and at times exhausting, which is why I feel patience and active listening are fundamental practices while serving as a learner in a different culture.  Also, leaning to find the humor in these new and awkward situations can be nothing but beneficial to all involved. 

C: Your strategy for adapting to a new culture with respect to your own cultural background.

            I believe having a vast array of different coping mechanisms will be extremely helpful in regards to adaptation, because there will be times that the body or mind will reject this new culture and language, and self-care will be needed.  I have recently taken up strength training as a way to relieve stress and focus, on top of my already established coping mechanisms, such as reading, exploring, and sketching.

            Outside of self-care, though, are many other strategies that I believe are important to acclimating to Ukrainian culture: learning the social norms, comprehending the language, actively seeking out educational experiences, & making and strengthening new relationships while maintaining the ones back at home.

Adapting to a new culture will be very challenging and daunting.  However, Peace Corps exists so that we, as Americans and humans, can become more empathetic, open-minded, and educated people that are courageous enough to forge bonds of fondness and understanding with other countries. This is an essential step to international friendliness. 

           

D: The skills and knowledge you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project.

            I am confident that pre-service training will prepare me with, at minimum, a basic understanding of Ukrainian culture and language which will be the cornerstone upon which I’ll build the next two years of my life on.  However, I do hope that pre-service training will delve into the world of youth development so that I am able to begin understanding how Ukraine handles their youth programs.  This will aid me in being better utilized while working on my assigned project.  I also want to know what challenges, specifically, Ukrainian youth are dealing with, and what methods have been/can be used to overcome these challenges.  

E: How you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends.

            It has been an aspiration of mine for as long as I can remember to become an international worker.  The role I’ve seen myself playing has changed a bit over time (missionary to anti-trafficking advocate), but the desire to be involved in international relationships and work has not dulled.  I believe Peace Corps will give me a crash-course in a sort of international social work so that I will be able to determine if I truly want to devote the rest of my tiny life to trying to save the world. 

            I also am excited to soak up a new culture and become a more empathetic person- professionally and personally.  As a social worker, I am called to work with oppressed, the hurt, and those who are of a minority.  While I have experienced several hardships in my life, I have never been truly oppressed, and I have certainly not been a minority.  When I arrive on Ukrainian soil, I will be a minority, and I will be oppressed in a way because I will not know how to successfully communicate or function in this new country.  I sincerely hope that when I return to the United States, I will be able to look on those experiences with a certain fondness because of the unique way I will be able to relate to future clients.