Hola! My name is Michala, but here in Peru, everyone calls me Mica (pronounced Meeka). I’m 25 years old and I’m from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. You might know Pennsylvania as the place where they make Hershey’s chocolate! I actually grew up just a few minutes from Hershey, which is pretty perfect because I love chocolate.
So, how did I end up so far from home? After graduating high school, I moved to Virginia to study at Liberty University. I spent six years there and earned two degrees: a bachelor’s in Public Health and a master’s in Epidemiology (the study of disease). During college, I worked lots of different jobs, from being an academic tutor and an assistant professor, to working in a physical therapy clinic and even as a community health worker at a rural medical center.
Even then, I knew I wanted to take what I had learned abroad and work while learning Spanish. That dream led me to the Peace Corps, a U.S. government program that sends volunteers, like me, around the world to work on important community projects.
Right now, I live in a small town high in the Andes Mountains of Perú. It’s very different from home; everyone speaks Spanish, and the culture, food, and lifestyle are all new to me. My job here is focused on helping people stay healthy and prevent illness. I live with a host family (a local family that welcomes me into their home), and I even have two dogs!
Living far away from home can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly exciting. I love making new friends, trying local foods, and learning something new every day. I’ll be here for the next two years, and I am so excited to share my adventures with you!
