I had other responsibilities at that time, so my Peace Corps dream had to wait. I had a family to raise. My children are adults now, my life has settled down, and I can go back to making dreams happen for me.
I loved teaching and being around kids all day. I also wanted to have my own adventure, so last year I retired and joined the Peace Corps.
Applying to the Peace Corps is a big effort, but if you really want something, you have to stay committed to the process. I spent time doing volunteer work like teaching adult ESL (English as a Second Language) and helping at my local library. It feels good to help people through volunteer work, and I made a lot of new friends too.
This Peace Corps adventure is not my first experience in another country, but it is the longest time I have been away from everyone I know. When I was in college, I studied for a semester in Italy. It was great fun and a chance to visit places I had only seen in books and movies. When you go to college, I recommend that you do a semester study abroad program. It will change the way you see the world!
So, what is my “job” here in Quito? I have been here for four months, and I love Quito! It is a wonderful city, the weather is almost always in the 70s, and the people are so friendly. I work with an NGO (non-governmental organization) dedicated to protecting the rights and development of children. I am designing a program of climate awareness classes for teens. It takes a lot of planning and effort, but I enjoy the work and my counterparts in my office.
Peace Corps is my chance to help people, learn about Ecuador, and practice speaking Spanish. All of it keeps me busy! On weekends I go to museums, markets and parks around Quito.
