Having worked in the ever challenging Information Technology field the last seven years, I expect to face just as many obstacles introducing ICT ideas to secondary school students in Ghana. Without the same exposure to computers in their everyday lives compared to those from more developed countries, Ghanaian students would have to learn many of the concepts from the ground up. Additionally, limited resources, communication gap, and a defined timeframe are just some of the known constraints that I would have to confront with as I play the role of an educator.

To be successful, I have to effectively balance my time among the multiple objectives: deliver and impart practical knowledge to students, work with the community to demonstrate the importance of education, and create learning material to supplement textbook teaching. I will have to be creative and flexible to get my points across to the students. Furthermore, frequent collaborations with fellow teachers are necessary to refine the teaching material and process.

I expect to meet self motivated and talented students having high expectations of their educators. Hopefully with my help, many of them are a step closer to become young adults who are well equipped for further education and to join the workforce.

The chances of success for Peace Corps volunteers depend largely on how well they are accepted in the community. It is obviously imperative that volunteers are armed with open minds and utmost respect for cultural differences. Being that volunteers and nationals come from such different worlds, it is inevitable that different sets of beliefs and value systems are subscribed to. The Peace Corps program offers a unique opportunity for visitors and locals to engage in intimate dialogs and share everyday activities to discover such differences and, more importantly, explore their commonalities.

Peace Corps staff painstakingly evaluates each applicant to ensure qualified volunteers can perform competently in their assigned duties. To earn respect form the nationals, volunteers have to bring with them skills and expertise to meet their respective objectives. I do indent to make positive contributions utilizing my knowledge and work experience. Through demonstrating competency and having an upbeat attitude, I wish to gain acceptance into the community.

Although I come to Ghana primarily to fill the skills gap in the country, I believe I have much to gain from the experience. To be welcomed into a community unconditionally and having the opportunity to develop intimate friendships with foreigners are privileges that few people have experienced. Furthermore, not many work situations present the type of challenges as would a Peace Corps program. When I come back to the States equiped with success stories during the completion of the assignment, I am sure to become more marketable in any future professional endeavors, not to mention the self fulfillment I would feel personally. In any case, this is as much a self discovery tour as an avenue to lend a helping hand. It is the mutually beneficial nature of the program that truly makes this job worthwhile.

One common theme that resonates among past volunteers when they describe their Peace Corps experience is that to them Peace Corps was a life-changing event. Serving in Peace Corps presents an opportunity to discover a new world and to make meaningful social contributions in places where help is most needed. For those who enjoy lending a helping hand and putting on a smile wherever they make a positive change, it may be considered the ultimate opportunity. In addition to my respect for what Peace Corps sets out to accomplish, I believe that I have much to gain from the experience, and I feel confident that I can make positive contributions where they are most needed.

Many factors influenced me to pursue this endeavor; the primary one comes straight from the heart. Our instinct often guides us to enforce what is right and to do things we believe to be good, just, and conscionable. I sincerely believe that joining Peace Corps is the right thing to do. I have had a blessed life: I have a supportive family, great friends, good health, a solid education, a fantastic job... the list goes on and on. I believe, in exchange for my fortunate life, I now have a civil duty and an obligation to society. The more I learn about the Peace Corps program, the more I find it to be a worthwhile cause and an excellent way to give something back.

Not all my reasons, however, are altruistic. Traveling has always been my passion. In all the international trips I have made during the last couple of years, when it was time to catch the plane back to the States I always regretted not befriending more locals. Some of my life’s most memorable moments have involved deep interactions with the locals; for example, having traditional Christmas dinner with a family in Norway, or sharing tapas and coffee late at night in Madrid. I believe Peace Corps presents a great opportunity for me to get to know people whom I would otherwise never meet and to get to work with them side by side. I have no doubt that I will come home with some great stories and a healthy amount of personal growth.

Finally, a reason I feel to be important is my strong belief that serving with Peace Corps is a challenge that I can successfully meet. After listening to some returned volunteers, it is easy to see how challenges can come from so many different directions. Since the nature of the work is to deal with unfamiliar situations in a foreign land, all volunteers are continuously faced with unexpected obstacles. However, I do feel there are a few things on my side to make this a more manageable endeavor, not the least of which is the solid education I have received from school. College has taught me the importance of continuous learning and keeping an open mind. In addition, my work experience has put me through many real-life iterations of translating vague requirements and constraints into workable solutions, effective organization of people and tasks, and the importance of staying positive and supportive. All of these have served me well so far in life and I feel will add to my chances of success.

The reactions from many of my friends when they hear of my application are often related to why I would put off two years of my career development and do something that would give me minimal benefits. I have given that question quite a bit of thought. Perhaps it is that I feel content in life and have reached many of my financial and career goals and I am now looking for something more. Maybe it is the idealist in me, believing that anyone can make a difference so long as he grabs onto opportunities. Or maybe it is just the anticipation of an adventure ahead, whether it be fun, frustrating, or most likely both. These are truthful responses I used to justify my motivations to my friends, but they are not answers that I needed for myself. It is hard to put into words, but there is this tingling feeling in my heart that is telling me that I need to join the Peace Corps. I imagine this is a feeling shared by many of the people who are involved in making this program successful.

My previous job as a consultant meant many hours at airport terminals sitting by the gate. After a long week of exhausting work, I would often look for that “perfect” spot where I was at least one seat away from any breathing human, on the left and right, so I would have less chance of being bothered. After relaxing at my seat for five minutes, I would realize that I was no longer content to isolate myself in this way. Usually it was around that time when a stranger would spot the open seats, sit right next to me, and a conversation between strangers would commence. These chance encounters became an integral part of my travel. It is truly amazing how much you can find out about a person in a ten-minute dialogue. Similar to these chance conversations, the hardest part about understanding and adapting to a culture is exposing oneself to the opportunity. Once there, all a person needs is a pair of listening ears and a show of interest and respect. One certainly need not be involved in intense cultural challenges or training to be able to successfully adjust to different cultures; skills of adaptation are acts we practice everyday. What is important is the awareness that assimilation is directly tied to the successful involvement in an adventure like Peace Corps.

The most testing cultural adjustment I have made is easily my immigration from Hong Kong. Like all new residents in a country, when adjusting to the new environment I experienced numerous embarrassing episodes and misunderstandings. I still remember the time when I was wearing my Speedo at a public pool and was stared at for the duration of my visit, and the time when my mother prepared cow intestines for me to bring to school for lunch. While being embarrassed is just part of the grand journey, fortunately many lessons can be learned under less awkward conditions. Making friends and engaging in conversations often prove useful and informative. One thing I have noticed is that people are quite willing to share their lives if their audience seems sincere and interested. Although the conversations are often about everyday life, the underlying cultural influences are easy to recognize. My curiosity about people has stayed with me long after I first arrived in the States and has served me well as the environment around me has changed. Moving from a predominantly white neighborhood in Houston to Austin and most recently to San Antonio has exposed me to new demographics, new experiences, and new life philosophies. In addition, traveling within and outside of the US has opened my eyes even further.

Culture is comprised of a lot more than the clothes we wear, the food we eat, or the words we use to communicate; these behaviors and practices are reflections of the innate values and beliefs that we pass down from generation to generation. When joining a new community, one does not necessarily have to agree with all the behaviors and practices, but one has to be respectful of others’ values and beliefs. This is something that we do everyday. We tolerate different religious practices because we believe that citizens should have the freedom to choose what they believe in. We tend to work hard and criticize laziness because we are the bearers of the American dream. It is through being respectful and understanding that I have personally learned many lessons about the community that I am living in. Looking back, being able to adjust to different cultures plays an important role in shaping me as a person.

Having volunteered in various capacities throughout my life, I have learned that there is a level of cultural adaptation a volunteer has to reach in order to provide his/her help successfully. However, most people are mindful that we all come from different worlds and have different values; it is therefore through mutual respect and open-mindedness that people are able to get along and work together. Without that understanding, a volunteer has little chance of making a difference in an endeavor like Peace Corps.