Yixiu C.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps, specifically the Virtual Service Pilot?

The extended lockdown period of the pandemic left me yearning to meaningfully reconnect with the world beyond my immediate surroundings. Remembering the transformative experience I had serving as a Community Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Madagascar, I felt compelled to explore the Virtual Service Pilot (VSP).

Virtual Service provided an avenue to serve while still managing my commitments to family and work here at home, something a traditional overseas placement would make significantly more challenging. The engagement with the goal of co-creating and facilitating a media literacy class with youth, empowering them to critically analyze and reflect on the multitude of media sources they encounter daily, piqued my interest especially given my background in non-formal education.

2. What projects are you working on?

Recognizing the critical importance of media literacy for today's youth, I supported the planning and implementation of an afterschool club focused on strengthening this critical skill among students ages 12-16 at a school in Georgia. I worked alongside my Georgian counterpart, Rusudan L., an experienced ESL instructor for 16 weeks.

In a world saturated with information which poses the potential risk for misinformation, media literacy empowers young people to effectively understand and process content from various media channels. This club provided students with crucial tools to critically interpret online information, recognize biases, and make smarter choices as they engage with social media and navigate the digital realm.

3. What is a highlight of your VSP engagement so far?

My VSP engagement has been truly highlighted by the collaboration with the enthusiastic students and their dedicated ESL instructor, Ruso, who was instrumental in creating the club. Their consistent eagerness to fully engage during our online sessions was so impressive. I was particularly struck by their rapid comprehension of new topics and their collaborative energy to shape the program or co-create presentations with me.

In June, the school hosted a media literacy conference, where students of the club shared their firsthand experiences. I shared some of my own reflections via a pre-recorded video. This event attracted the attendance of the Commissioner of The National Communications Commission of Georgia. The Commissioner shared how impressed she was with the initiative and stated that efforts such as this should be replicated across other schools in Georgia. I was delighted that the efforts of our short-term collaboration gained such recognition!

4. What strategies have you used to meet the challenges of a short-term, remote experience?  

The reality of a nine-hour time difference between our countries significantly impacted our availability for meetings and collaborative planning. As working parents, both Ruso and I also had to navigate busy schedules, so the need to occasionally reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances was an understandable part of our collaboration. Additionally, students sometimes would not be able to attend due to their own family obligations and extracurricular activities.

5. What benefits are you gaining from your participation?

I found this virtual engagement to be an invaluable source of personal and professional growth. It powerfully underlined the principle that even an individual can make a significant difference through intentional effort. The students' enthusiastic participation in our club discussions, their willingness to collaborate on presentations, lead activities, and suggest future topics was impressive. Moreover, my interactions with the youth and my counterparts broadened my understanding of the world immeasurably. Learning about Georgia’ captivating cultural practices, delicious foods, and stunning landscapes has been a humbling and enriching experience.

6. How has your previous Peace Corps and/or professional experience enriched your VSP engagement?

My previous Peace Corps experience was undeniably life-changing, shaping my overall perspective in profoundly positive ways. However, certain aspects of that service brought a discomfort I couldn't initially pinpoint. Looking back nearly thirteen years later, I now understand that unease stemmed from the positional privilege and power inherent in being an American Volunteer, often tasked with supporting projects beyond my qualifications. This reflection has led to a deeper understanding of the historical legacies that continue to affect parts of the world and my role in it.

On a more positive note, my first Peace Corps experience also led me to Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, which became a foundational text in my education journey. This framework has provided me with the tools to critically examine and actively work against paternalism in service, fostering more authentic and respectful intercultural connections. Ultimately, my hope for the Media Literacy club is that these young students will cultivate a critical understanding not only of the media they encounter but also of the wider world and their own agency within it.

7. What will you bring away from your VSP engagement?

I completed my engagement with a renewed appreciation for how technology can shrink the vastness of the world and foster genuine connection. My curiosity about leveraging technology to bridge communities and cultures has grown significantly. The hospitality and kindness shown by Ruso and the youth have been deeply appreciated. It's an important reminder to pause amidst the daily rush here in the U.S. and prioritize being present along with our community connections. I particularly valued the chance to step outside my routine and enter a virtual world where I felt empowered to listen and engage authentically with these young minds.

Visit this page to learn more about serving as a Virtual Service Pilot Participant.