Leigh N.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I met a Peace Corps Volunteer while I was doing a brief study abroad trip in Dominica. At the time she was an English teacher, but she wanted to be a criminal justice lawyer. Her story was compelling and the work she was doing with Peace Corps was interesting. It piqued my interest, so I did more research on Peace Corps and the type of work Volunteers do. The idea of learning a new culture and language, building relationships, and helping people meet their material needs resonated with me. My senior year of university I was adamant that Peace Corps was something I wanted to do.

2. What projects are you working on?

I co-teach English with a Beninese teacher to increase students' English proficiency. I also host various after-school clubs for students, such as girls' club and soccer club, as an extra-curricular outlet for students.

I’m currently putting together a spelling bee for my school and a soccer tournament for my soccer club students. For the spelling bee we give prizes to the top three winners; this year we hope to have t-shirts for the finalists. Soccer is a common pastime for the children in my village. My students faithfully come to soccer club each week, so we are planning on putting together a soccer tournament so they can practice their skills and invite community members.

3. What strategies have you used to integrate into your community?

Learning the local language is a nice way to break the ice. When people see you are making the effort, they are more receptive to you.

Another strategy that’s helped me integrate into my community is making an effort to be present in the community. Going to the weekly market is a great way to meet vendors who also visit me on non-market days. They began to recognize my face and buying patterns and now visit me sometimes.

My visibility at school has also helped with integration. My students recognize me outside of class so their parents know I’m a teacher and are more receptive to speaking to me, especially if it’s about their child’s success in school.

4. What is a highlight of your time in service so far?

My students are truly the highlight of my service. Everything else around me can be in disarray, but my students truly warm me. Each of them is unique and charismatic. I especially enjoy engaging with students in extra-curricular settings, such as English club and girls’ club, where they are more at ease and unguarded in their thoughts and opinions. I appreciate hearing what they have to say. I also enjoy seeing them share their creativity.

5. What have you enjoyed most about the community where you are serving?

I live in a Bariba community in central Benin. The Bariba group is one of the dominant ethnic groups in Benin and it is a distinctly different culture from that in the south. I really appreciate getting to experience this culture as there’s truly nothing like it. The language spoken here is also completely different from the other languages spoken in Benin. In Bariba culture, horses are revered and once a year there are festivals to honor the kings of Bariba villages. Horse riders will come and display tricks, and each community has a shrine displaying the esteemed elders of their community.

6. What are some of the most important things you’ve learned from your community?

I’ve learned a great deal about resiliency and perseverance. I experienced some incredibly challenging things at site that I had never encountered before. I had my first workplace conflict, which was a complex situation to navigate. I learned a lot from that experience, particularly the importance of clear, transparent communication and patience. Teachers co-teach with a counterpart, and the key to successful collaboration is communication and attentiveness.

7. How do you spend time when you are not working on a project?

When I’m not teaching or working on a project, I’m usually reading or chatting with my family and friends back home. It’s important to take rest days and do the things that bring you peace since the work can be really demanding. Talking to my friends puts me at ease and helps me recalibrate. I also listen to a ton of music. Music has been a lifeline during my service and helps feel connected to home.

8. What are you looking forward to in your remaining time as a Volunteer?

I have a couple of events that I want to execute before I leave. I want to host a soccer tournament for my soccer club to reward their regular attendance. I want them to have a fun experience at the end of the school year. I also host an annual spelling bee which I look forward to doing before the end of the school year. My students are already asking if I plan to do it again. It makes me glad that they are anticipating it.

9. Once you finish your service, what will you do differently when you return to the U.S.?

I plan on starting graduate school when I return to the States. I want to pursue a degree in student affairs and work with marginalized students to ensure their success in higher education. Peace Corps service has given me a lot of clarity on my career goals, and I look forward to pursuing them. I realized that I’m passionate about diversity work and I want to work students and create lively, safe spaces for them. I also plan on spending a lot of time with my family and friends since I’ve missed them immensely.

Want to learn more about serving as a Volunteer in Benin? Connect with a recruiter today.