Country Welcome for Albania and Montenegro

Greetings,

We thank you for considering serving alongside the people of Albania and Montenegro. We are certain that if you choose to do so, it is likely to be one of the most important and transformative decisions in your life.

As you know, now is a unique time to serve as a Volunteer. The pandemic has changed how we all live, and serving in the Peace Corps is no different. When you take the Peace Corps oath of service, you are asked to approach your Peace Corps experience with:

• An open heart and mind
• Patience, humility, and determination
• Creativity, cultural sensitivity, and respect
• A willingness to embrace the mission of world peace and friendship

There is no question that this will not be easy. Part of the beauty of Peace Corps is the hard work it will require from you as you adjust to being out of your comfort zone and away from your own culture and network of established friends and family, while being immersed in a local community, addressing daily challenges.

If you bring the qualities mentioned above and if you authentically work to build trust and share skills to solve challenges while integrating into your community, you will set yourself up for success. Integration into your community will be that much deeper as you live at the standard of those you are serving and endeavor to speak the local language(s).

The deepest impact you will have is on individuals with whom you will build genuine relationships and friendships. One of the most innovative and passionate university professors in Albania told me, “I am a tree who grew from Peace Corps.” She talked to me about the impact that a Peace Corps Volunteer had on her two decades ago when the Volunteer was her teacher. This woman now influences hundreds of future teachers in Albania each year as a professor in the school of education. She carries forward the impact of a Peace Corps Volunteer in the ‘90s. Two years, five years, 20 years after a Volunteer departs from their country of service, the impact of their work will continue to be realized.

Achieving this impact as a Peace Corps Volunteer is almost guaranteed, but it does not happen without hard work, intentionality, and the ability to bounce back when things don't go as planned. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer myself, I can tell you that being a Volunteer is hard. It is incredibly difficult. And it is equally rewarding. Peace Corps is a job with real expectations, and it is more than a job; you are “on” 24/7. Your presence in your community goes well beyond any typical workday.

The vision of the Peace Corps is to promote world peace and friendship. The goals are about the transfer of skills and sharing the culture of both countries. Transfer of skills is an important notion; the hardest lift of all will not be what you can do for your community, but what you can do side by side with your community. This is where the sustainable and meaningful change will lie, and this is where you can create a legacy from your service. The greatest impact you can have won’t come from doing things on your terms, it won't come from the belief that the way we do things in the U.S. is the "right" way. The greatest impact will come from opening your heart and your mind; connecting deeply with a small number of people in your community; looking past, but always appreciating the differences you bring; and learning from each other.

Every Peace Corps Volunteer must work to find their own unique path during service. Staff are here to advise and guide you as you navigate the challenges you are sure to encounter. As a Volunteer you should expect to work with your school and community to identify and address local needs. Our team will support you in these efforts, but you should be prepared to be flexible in your work and prepared to follow rules as required.

Looking forward to seeing you in the Balkans!

Wishing you all the best on your journey,

Megan Wilson and the Peace Corps team in Albania and Montenegro