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12 Reasons to Date a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Peace Corps is a life-changing experience that develops a unique set of skills and attributes. So it goes without saying: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers make GREAT dates. And just to prove it, we’ve started a list.
12 reasons to date a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer:
- We can woo you in multiple languages. Who else is going to whisper sweet nothings to you in everything from Albanian to Hausa to Quechua to Xhosa? That’s right. Only a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.
- We’re pretty good dancers. Yeah, we don’t like to brag, but after 27 months in Latin America or Africa we know how to move it.
- We’ll eat anything. Seriously. No matter how bad your cooking, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have had worse and will eat it with nary a blink. Sheep’s eyeball? Water buffalo gall bladder? Grasshoppers? Bush rat? Bring it.
- We know all about safe sex, thanks to our very thorough Peace Corps health training. In fact, there’s a chance that we’ve stood unblushingly in front of hundreds of villagers and demonstrated good condom technique with a large wooden phallus.
- We’ll kill spiders for you. Well, actually, we’ll nonchalantly scoop them up and put them out of sight. Same goes for mice, geckos, frogs, snakes. Critters don’t faze Returned Volunteers.
- We have great date ideas: wandering a street market, checking out a foreign film, taking in a world music concert, volunteering…. Romantic getaway? Our passport is updated and our suitcase is packed. With us, life is always an adventure.
- We like you for “you”… not your paycheck. Especially if we are freshly back from service, a local joint with “character” will win out over a pretentious eatery. Living in a group house? Does it have hot water? What luxury!
- You won’t get lost when you’re with a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Navigating local markets on four continents, we’ve honed an uncanny sense of direction. Or else we’ll ask for directions. We’re not afraid to talk to “strangers.”
- Waiting for a late train or bus? Don’t worry, we’ve been there, done that. We can share lots of funny stories about “the bus ride from hell” that will make the time go quickly and put it all into perspective.
- Our low-maintenance fashion style. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer guys are secure in their manhood and don’t mind rocking a sarong. Women often prefer flip flops to high heels. We don’t spend hours in front of a mirror getting ready to go out.
- Marry us, and you won’t just get one family … you’ll get two! When we refer to our “brother” or “mom,” you’ll want to be certain we’re talking about our American one or our Peace Corps one. You might even get two wedding ceremonies, one in the U.S. and one back in our Peace Corps country.
- And last but not least, we aren’t afraid to get dirty.
-National Peace Corps Association
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About Me
Somehow life has brought me, Kerry, from what I had once considered the middle of nowhere, New York, to the true middle of nowhere - a rural village in a country in Eastern Europe called Moldova. Chasing my dreams of joining the Peace Corps, I am currently an English Education Volunteer serving from August 2011 to summer 2013.
About Moldova
Republica Moldova is a small country between Ukraine and Romania that has only been independent (most recently from the USSR) since 1991. Prior to that, it was part of Bessarabia, a region that has been historically handed back and forth between Russia and Romania for years. This has had an enormous effect on Moldovan life, culture, politics, and language, and every person you ask may have a differing view on Moldovan national identity.
While Moldova has incredibly rich soil and can grow practically anything (most famously its grapes, used for wine), it has been difficult to break into the international market. Additionally, many Moldovans have been unable to find work in-country and have resorted to working abroad, usually in Moscow or some EU countries.
Despite all this, Moldovans are often with a smile on their face and are always looking for a reason to celebrate - almost every day here is a celebration accompanied with delicious food, wine, and dancing.
As for me, I live in a village of 3000 called Taraclia in the southeast of the country, just 4 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Learn more:
» CIA World Factbook
» New York Times
» BBC
» Moldova Azi - news in English
About My Work
I teach Moldovan students in the village schools in forms 2nd to 11th. Most of my classes are partner taught with Moldovan instructors for the purpose of sustainability. After school I volunteer at the local center for children, a place dedicated to children from poorer economic status and broken homes. I'm also working on some secondary projects to help my school and community.
Links
» Official Peace Corps Website
» Peace Corps Moldova Blog
» My Entry Archive
» My Peace Corps Reading List
» Need Inspiration for a Care Package?
Contact Me
Send mail to:
PCV Kerry Coughlin
Str. Grigore Ureche 12
Chisinau 2001
Republic of Moldova
Skype: thekerilator
Gmail: kerry.q.coughlin@gmail.com
Google Voice: 845-232-1421
Moldova Cell: +373.605.66.286
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this blog are my own, and are in no way intended to represent the views of the Peace Corps or the United States Government.
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