Hello everyone! My name is Kristin Engelking. In Botswana, I am called Atlegang (A-te-hang) or Atie for short. It was a name given to me in the local language by my host family. It means we will all succeed together.
I grew up in Wisconsin in a small town near Milwaukee with my parents, my younger brother, and my dog named Storm. For college, I went to Tulane University in New Orleans, where I studied Public Health and Psychology. In my third year, I decided to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. In Cape Town I experienced new music, food, and culture. I found out I love to meet new people, learn from them, and expand what I know about the world.
When I returned to Tulane for my fourth year, I found out about the Peace Corps. This amazing program for two years of living and learning from the people in a foreign country was just what I wanted to do after graduation. I applied and was assigned to Botswana, a country in Southern Africa to volunteer in the health sector. The Peace Corps focuses on integrating into the culture and community by learning the language and working with the clinics, schools, and organizations.
Back home, I was a swimmer for all of my life, but in Botswana, I have moved over to running. I have completed a 10k and a 15k, and my goal is to do a half-marathon next year! I also enjoy cooking, reading, and crocheting in my free time.
Peace Corps Volunteers like me live and work side by side with community members around the world, collaborating on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives for generations. Learn more by clicking here.
