When I first heard that my application was being reviewed for a teaching English position in Mongolia, I was sitting on my bed in my dorm room at Lakeland University in-between classes. I instantly closed out of my email app and opened Safari–Where the heck is Mongolia???

Asia! Between Russia and China–okay, that sounds neat! And that was it. I didn’t do any further research. It wasn’t until I was asked to schedule an interview that I truly began watching videos on the Mongolian culture and language. The most striking fact I found in my research? The Mongolian language is at the top of the second to highest tier on difficulty in the world (according to a credible source, if I remember correctly ;)). The Mongolian people live in yurts, build fires in the winter, eat a lot of meat and carbs, and are amazingly hospitable. I knew everything I needed to know: Work hard on learning the language, and the rest would be a piece of cake.

So far, my assumption that I made months ago from the comfort of my two-story home hasn’t been completely off. I’ve learned of the insanely cold winters when school gets cancelled for weeks due to temperatures around -50 (not including windchill) and you’re sleeping with your electronics and water inside your sleeping bag. However, it is June now, and the temperatures have been around a comfortable 70, I’ve been living in a “tourist ger” (a yurt that is really nice), and have been enjoying hot showers (for the most part) in the building across camp that looks like a castle. I’ve had delicious meals prepared for me and fires built nearly every night. I’ve hiked steep hills (perhaps small mountains?) to watch distant mountains seemingly miles away highlighted with soft oranges and reds in the evenings. Yes, I suppose this is Mongolia, but I’ve only experienced orientation week in the early summer time.

It’s been an amazing week to say the least. The Peace Corps staff has been informative and supportive. I feel nervous, but excited to meet my solely Mongolian speaking host family tomorrow, which is where I will be living for the next three months! I don’t know how reliable the WiFi will be, so this may be my last post for a while, but I am eager to immerse into the true Mongolia: learning the language, making traditional Mongolian dishes with my host mom, and celebrating every day in the spirit of a hospitable and nomadic lifestyle. I have a feeling the Mongolian landscape is not nearly as beautiful as the people who care for it. Bring on this challenging journey.

Emilie

“If you want to build high, you must dig deep.” Mongolian Proverb