Connections that become friendships

In 2019 I was sent as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer to a small branch of a large university in a mining town high up in the desert mountains in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. My service area was English for Technical and Academic Purposes (ETAP). My primary role was that of co-teacher to four English language instructors who taught classes to students in the academic programs of law, engineering for mining purposes, and accounting and to high school students enrolled in the university’s preparatory program. My colleagues and I collaborated to create and conduct communicative classes and conversation sessions to help students develop their speaking skills in English. The personal and professional rewards were incalculable.

Due to the welcoming nature of the staff and students at the University, it didn’t take long to feel at home with both my English teaching colleagues and staff from the other disciplines. I have fond memories of eating lunch at the cafeteria and at the restaurant across the street from the campus where I learned a lot about home cooked Mexican food, my colleagues, the university, the community, and Mexico in general. In turn, they got to know me as I bumbled my way through Spanish answering their questions. There were moments when I mistakenly misused slang and new expressions which resulted in belly laughs, and giggles. This good-natured banter opened doors to the integration process. Soon I received invitations to homes, family celebrations, and a variety of other events. I will always be grateful for their willingness to include me as one of their own.

Throughout my twelve month-service, I had the privilege of living with a host family. Like my colleagues at the university, they welcomed me warmly. Over time, our dinner conversations involved worries, concerns, hopes, plans, dreams, and everything else a family would talk about. Increasingly, mutual understanding and respect deepened to the point that our connection has continued to this day. As a recently returned Volunteer, I had a chance to visit my family again and I felt right at home as soon as I entered the gate.

Serving in the Peace Corps has allowed me to connect with bright, talented, friendly, supportive, and generous people of all ages on both a professional and personal level. Some of these connections have developed into friendships that will last a very long time. My association with Mexico has changed from a vacation destination to a second home in a small town far away from tourists where the citizens have welcomed me with warmth and affection. So, when people ask me what I thought of my Volunteer experience in Mexico, I speak of the incredible people who taught me so much about themselves and their country and the deep respect I have for them.