My Peace Corps essay

I wrote this as one of my initial Peace Corps essays. There are some grammar mistakes (whoops!), but overall it really captured my enthusiasm and spirit as well as professionalism. Enjoy!

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Tonight was one of the best nights of my life, and it was exactly the reason I went into teaching ESL. I was invited to dinner by one of my former students. I went expecting a sit down dinner, with maybe four or five people, perhaps six, and instead was treated to an awesome Saudi Arabian dining experience. We had tons of amazing food and engaging conversations. Because we were outside of the classroom it gave us an opportunity to relate as people in an informal setting. It was a chance for them to show off parts of their culture they are proudest of to one of their teachers. I got to see a slice of Saudi culture that I would not have otherwise.

I have a true sense of wanderlust. No way would I ever be content staying in the same city, the same state, or even the same country while the world was out there to explore. I know in my heart that just being a tourist would never give me the satisfaction of really being a part of a culture. I am not content with the experience-equivalent of a fast food restaurant; I want to savor my experiences. When I first heard about the Peace Corps years ago, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. The exchange of culture and ideas is what really breaks down prejudices. Until I started teaching ESL I was not aware of how many prejudices I had, and I am so grateful every day to break down my own stereotypes and the students’ as well. I want to know people outside of what the media tells me, not as a tourist, but as an honored guest. People like me, and organizations like the Peace Corps help dispel myths perpetrated by media and tourists. The Peace Corps would give me the chance to experience a people in a way that I would not normally get to and would provide a profound life experience—there is something important that happens during a volunteer experience, doing something out of love rather than out of need for money.

I have wanted to teach ESL for about as long as I have wanted to join the Peace Corps, and the reason why I have not tried to do either until now is that I wanted to do them right. They are so important to me that I wanted to make sure I had all the qualifications, all the degrees, all the preparation out of the way. At this point I have finished my Master’s degree, and am completely qualified to teach anywhere in the world, and I am pausing in embarking on my career for the chance to join the Peace Corps, because I want to start my career by doing something important and significant and not based on how much money I can make. Sure, money is important, but right now for me, the experience is more important, and I would be honored and excited to be accepted into the Peace Corps.