Linden M.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I became interested in the Peace Corps after hearing my high school teachers’ stories of their experiences as Volunteers. I love traveling, trying new things, and meeting new people, so the Peace Corps seemed like a natural fit.

I studied political studies and international relations during my undergraduate studies in the UK and Canada and I love to learn the history of places that I have visited. I chose Peace Corps Armenia specifically because of its location in the southern Caucasus region; I wanted to learn more about the history of the country from primary sources.

2. What projects are you working on?

I am currently working on obtaining new funding sources for a cafeteria in my community. The students do not have reliable access to nutritious lunches during the school day, and my counterparts and I want to change that.

I am also conducting English clubs in my secondary school as well as a local university to help students practice conversational English and learn new vocabulary words. I have been using print, audio, and visual media to engage my students and teach them about American history and its impact on current

U.S. politics and culture. I love being able to share this with them and learn about how this is similar or different from their lived experiences in Armenia. Recently, students presented a project on the differences in government between the U.S., the UK, and Armenia. It is important to me to not only teach English but also create an environment where I candidly share my experiences as an American and learn about their experiences.

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

I prioritize spending time with my host family and community, and I feel lucky that my host family has been so welcoming to me. I love talking with them and learning about Armenian history from them at mealtimes.

I am also an avid runner and run every morning, not only in my own community but also in nearby ones. I am well known as “the American runner” and am almost always asked about it when I take local public transportation. Being out and about, whether it be walking or running, gives me the opportunity to connect with new people and become a familiar face. Running every day is also beneficial for my mental health and a way to connect with other Volunteers. Some students have joined me on runs, and last summer I created a running club where I introduced some students to American playground games. I joke that I often feel very American as I run, because running is not very common in my community.

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

A highlight of my service is the people I’ve connected with while here. My counterpart is fantastic, and I am so lucky to have her not only to work with, but also as a friend. My host family is very supportive and includes me in activities and family events. During the summer the entire family takes road trips around Armenia on weekends. They tell me about the history and I am able to see beautiful, jaw-dropping places I would have never seen otherwise. Last summer, we went to Tatev, a 4-hour drive from where we live, to see a monastery and underground river and caves. I am also lucky to have found a language tutor nearby who is very patient and supportive. She is as determined as I am to improve my Armenian so I can be a better communicator in my community. The other Volunteers here are so kind as well, and I am lucky to have them throughout this journey.

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

I love the people. I have an amazing family, counterpart, students, and school administration. The community is situated between beautiful rolling green hills on one side and cliffs on the other side, near a lake. It is a beautiful area for running and walking, and I often meet members of the community along the way. Everyone I have met is supportive of my Peace Corps mission and my work as an English teacher in the local secondary school. I feel appreciated and supported by my community and feel so lucky to have met these fantastic people.

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

Living in rural Armenia, I have learned a lot about Armenian history and politics; I value my conversations about the culture and region with my host family. It is interesting to learn about their experiences with the Soviet Union and its impact on present-day Armenia. It has been eye-opening to hear oral accounts of Armenian history.

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

In my free time, I spend a lot of time running and walking. Running has been so important for my mental health, and I love to participate in local races in Yerevan with other Volunteers. I love to walk up to the nearby monastery, where I can see the lake, sit on the stones heated from the sun, and look out at nearby villages. I read as well and discuss the books I’ve read with other Volunteers. On sunny evenings in summer, you will often find me sitting outside my host family’s house reading a book from the Peace Corps office, with a cup of tea.

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

I am looking forward to learning more Armenian and more about my community. I look forward to continuing to work with my students and providing them with the English they’ll need to be successful in a globalized English-speaking job market. Working with my counterpart is really special, and we have become great friends outside of work. I am looking forward to adventures that my host family and I will continue to embark on in the summer. I will continue running, and plan to complete my third marathon in Yerevan in fall 2025. I feel so appreciative of all the opportunities that the Peace Corps has given me and hope to take advantage of as many as I can while learning more about Armenia’s history, culture, and people.

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

When I finish service, I will have changed significantly from when this journey began. Even now, a year in, I feel stronger, more confident, and more secure in myself and my abilities. I am lucky to be on this journey with a fantastic support team. It is important for me to always be working towards the best version of myself. Through conversations with my host family, counterpart, and other community members I have learned a lot about myself, the community, language, and history. I have created great relationships with other Volunteers, which will not end when we leave Armenia; I am grateful for them every day.

Learn more about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia.