Natalie E.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I was at my college’s post-grad fair my freshman year when I first heard about the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps recruiter, Carlos, told me about the focus on international friendships and helping a community in ways they want, and I immediately knew I was interested in it.

2. What projects are you working on?

A year into my service, I had a site change due to safety reasons. At my first site, I worked on sexual and reproductive health education classes at the high school collaborating with the teachers, psychologists, cleaning staff, and local gynecologist. Also, I started a high school girls’ soccer team after doing a survey and finding interest. We had three practices a week, did extra activities, raised funds—including for the uniforms that they designed—and competed against other teams. Also, a pastor at a local Haitian Christian church taught me Haitian Creole, and I went on to offer English classes in Haitian Creole aided by Spanish at the church.

At my current site, I am starting life skills classes at the elementary school, collaborating with psychologists and teachers. I started an art space where students can come in during breaks, color worksheets on youth development themes, and explore their creativity in a calm space. I am supporting the art teacher in starting a painting club. Also, I am giving English classes since there is no language teacher. Outside of school, I am collaborating with a female softball player community member to start a young girls’ softball team.

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

Walks! I walk a lot. At my both of my sites, everybody knows that I like to walk before they get to know my name and who I am. It’s a great way to get to know people. I say hi to people as I pass by. Oftentimes, we spark up a conversation, and they offer me a chair to sit in, some coffee, or sometimes even a whole pumpkin! Dominican culture is extremely friendly, so as long as I put myself out there, integration follows naturally.

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

When I led the first soccer practice for my girls’ team, we were all a bit apprehensive about how it was going to go. After warming up and doing some drills to introduce kicking a ball, we played a scrimmage. The moment one player scored a goal, they were all shouting at the top of their lungs with their hands in the air. After many hard moments in my first 3 months, I was smiling the most genuine smile. In that instant, I knew this team was going to do well, and I think the girls did too.

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

I enjoy the friendly culture! Dominican culture has a focus on community living that I love. On my bike ride to school, I shout good morning and smile at many community members I have gotten to know. When I go on walks, many people invite me into their homes, and we get to know one another over a bowl of spaghetti with boiled sweet potato, a glass of cherry juice, etc. People check in on their neighbors and family members, and I admire how they care for one another.

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

Apart from learning how to cook rice and beans, I’ve learned the value of relaxing. I have always tried to optimize “productivity” and see a packed schedule as a good thing. However, spending time with my friends, host family, and neighbors here, I’ve learned about the importance of taking breaks from work to be present to myself and those around me. From watching my host grandmother feed her baby ducks to watering her many plants to sitting with my host uncle and drinking coffee after a long day at the farm, I have come to enjoy the laid-back aspect of Dominican culture. It allows everyone to step back, breathe, and enjoy the ordinary moments of life—like watching the breeze dance through leaves on a mango tree.

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

Every day, I work out for about an hour, whether doing calisthenics in my room or going for a run or bike ride. I like to walk around town, get to know community members, and visit my friends and host family around town. I also enjoy experimenting with cooking new things. My next recipe is making sweet potato ice cream. Lately I have been carving out more time to relax, and that time has included reading and making art, which I used to do a lot as a child. I also keep up with my family, friends, and mentors back home through WhatsApp, calls, and emails.

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

Due to the fact that I am new at my current site—about two months new—I am looking forward to progressing on my projects and getting to know my students. At my first site, I felt like I was continuing the circle of mentorship that I was given as a youth to some very special adolescents I was working with. I stay in contact with them and hope to continue those relationships, visiting when possible.

I also look forward to exploring the Dominican Republic more. I have a few places still unchecked on my bucket list. Moreover, I am still working on my bachata dancing skills and perfecting my beans and rice recipe, so I hope to hone in on those two important skills in my remaining time of service.

Lastly, two of my best friends from high school are coming to visit this summer, and I am really excited to show them around the new place I call home.

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

For one thing, I am much more confident in my capabilities than I was before. Serving in the Peace Corps presents certain challenges, and being able to endure and thrive in them has transformed my sense of self in a positive way. Also, I hope to continue carving out even a small bit of time every week to make art. I came to believe it was “unproductive” growing up, so I stopped doing it even though it was a great way for me to process emotions and the world around me. During service, I have been making much more art whether for myself or for school, and I feel very supported and encouraged by my co-workers. Furthermore, I am going to be eating rice and beans MUCH more often. It’s so healthy and tasty! I’m obsessed with the everyday lunch here. I would also like to take care of a plant, but we will see how my second attempt at growing tomatoes here goes. Lastly, I hope to make time every day to check in and talk with my people, practicing that community aspect in this country that I admire and love so much.