10 reasons why pre-service training is like kindergarten

PST includes everything from language and safety trainings to getting to know the culture of your host country—and everyone lives with a host family. From packed lunches to over-protective parents, here's my list for how PST reminds me of some of my earliest memories.

1. On my first day at my home stay, my father writes out a card detailing all of the family’s names, their ages and my village name. If I get lost, I am to show people the card so I can get help finding my way home.
2. I dutifully recite to my parents every day where I’m going, what I’ll be doing, and when I’m going to come back.
3. My classmates and I compare notes on what our moms cook for us at home. Everyone is jealous that I get a soda occasionally for lunch.
4. This is nothing compared with the envy that shows when I proudly announce that I have had hot dogs one day.
5. I bike to school wearing a bright red helmet visible from space (Peace Corps policy—the helmet, not the color. The color was just unfortunate).
6. My dad tells me it is important to have friends, because it is a sad life without friends.
7. I am not allowed to be out after dark.
8. I go to sleep at around 9 p.m. some nights. On weekends.
9. Few things make me happier than drinking an ice-cold orange soda.
10. The only things I talk about now are poop, food, and bugs. In that order.