Mastering the Peace Corps
The toughest job you'll ever love.
Erin's Story
as told to LJ Evans
It had been in the back of my mind to join the Peace Corps ever since a returned volunteer talked to our class in high school. I majored in environmental science in college, but really wasn't sure if I could handle Peace Corps. I did a couple years of AmeriCorps and loved it, so I thought I could take it to the next level.
I probably found out about the Peace Corps master's international programs on the Peace Corps website. When I found the UAF program, which was just starting up, I thought it might be neat to help shape the program. The response I got was great. I heard back from Steve Sparrow, Pete Fix and Susan Todd, and then Tony.
Tony has been such a big support. I don't know what I'd do without that guy. He understands because he's been there. More than anything else he's there to listen, about the challenges of being a volunteer and also to advise about the academic program.
He came to visit my site in El Salvador several times. Once we hiked through my park for a whole day, and another time I visited his old site at La Montañona. Ten years later, people are still running up to him with big smiles on their faces, it's like he never left. He always comes back with piles of pictures from the last visit. They live in such a remote place, they have nothing, certainly no cameras, so this is a really special gift.
For my master's project I assessed the potential for ecotourism development in El Imposible National Park. Allowing me to live in the community for a year and a half before I even started my research was a fabulous opportunity. The relationships I had already established in the community meant I knew the key people and they already knew and trusted me.
My project gave me access to people in government agencies that just being a Peace Corps volunteer would never have given me. I have a whole new understanding of international development that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
LJ Evans is a writer and editor for UAF Marketing and Communications.
She served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines from 2001 – 2003.