I’m not one to spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror, but my life has changed so drastically from January 2019 to December 2019 that I feel I need to go over some of the highlights from each month. Of course, I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished, and I am looking forward to where I go from here, but keep in mind you’re viewing the highlight reel. For every high you see here, there were more than a few lows. For every “A” earned or plane boarded, there were many late nights of studying and worrying about “What now?”
Thankfully, joining the Peace Corps was one of the best decisions, if not, THE best decision, I made in 2019, but it was also a decision that made 2019 the most difficult year of my life (so far!). I am grateful for everything that has happened to me this year, and more importantly, everything I have done for myself this year. Here’s to 2019… and an equally challenging and rewarding 2020.
January–Planned a trip to New Orleans over winter break to meet up with friends I made in Ireland while studying abroad last year. I just had to get a little trip in before my big trip! Even in New Orleans, I was taking phone calls from doctor appointments trying to get my paperwork for Peace Corps done. I’m still waiting on these two to come visit me in Mongolia…February–Not the best picture, but I spent a lot of time with friends… these two I met a summer ago while working in DoCo. The closer I got to finishing the Peace Corps paperwork, the more time I felt I was losing with my friends. Still waiting on their visit to Mongolia, too…March–Spring Break with my family to South Carolina. We stayed on Hilton Head and visited my cousin who was going to school there, too. It was a good break from my last semester at LU, although, I’ll admit, I did spend some time studying on the beach…April–Hard work pays off! Both my poster and Mai’s poster were accepted to be presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago. We had a great three days of presenting our research, exploring Chicago, and even watched Hamilton.April–At the end of the month, my parents joined me at LU for an Honors Banquet where I was a finalist for the Koehler Award and received the Outstanding Student Award in Psychology. Graduation was just around the corner… May–Graduated from Lakeland University with a BA in Psychology and a Writing minor. Ended my collegiate career with a 3.89 GPA and a ticket to Philly to begin my journey as a Peace Corps volunteer. Unreal… May–At the airport with my family. I can’t believe this is the last time I saw them! I flew from Green Bay to Chicago, Chicago to Philly (met other trainees there), then finally New York to Mongolia with a stop in both Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. I’m grateful to be pretty good at sleeping on public transportation. June–After a week at a ger camp for training, I was brought to a little town to live with this wonderful host family for three months. This is a photo of a traditional Mongolian meal with extended family to celebrate… me. I think. You know, the language barrier makes a few things unclear, but… I felt special!July–Celebrated a Mongolian holiday called Nadaam with my host family! This is my little sister. She was one of my main lifelines throughout those challenging three months. She always spoke slowly, showed when telling didn’t work, and played games with me. Needless to say, I miss her A LOT!July–Nadaam continued with the Peace Corps crew. We all wore traditional Mongolian clothing and enjoyed watching wrestling, archery, and horse racing.August–Said goodbye to my host family… This was the last time I saw them, but I am currently planning on visiting them soon! I went to Mongolia’s capital with all other Peace Corps volunteers where we had a couple more days of training before…August–Swearing in! This is when I officially became a Peace Corps volunteer and was told where I’ll be living for the next two years. Pictured: Left side: US Ambassador to Mongolia, Michael Klecheski Right side: Peace Corps Mongolia Country Director, Kim Mansaray August–The moment I got off the train in my new home, I was welcomed by a few foreign language teachers from my school! I have taught with each of them since (besides the one Russian teacher pictured here second from left), in addition to six other English teachers. September–First day of school ceremony. It was pretty nerve-wracking doing a speech in Mongolian in front of everyone, but also a positive experience that I will never forget. October–There was a teacher volleyball competition in my city involving about 30 schools for two (very long) days. My school’s women’s team took first place and the men’s team took second! This resulted in my school winning a trophy for the best school in the tournament! November–Thanksgiving without my family was tough, but an American couple from Oklahoma organized a traditional Thanksgiving meal that my friends and I were able to participate in (and eat, of course). It was delicious and definitely made the holiday away from home special.
December–Christmas without my family… even more difficult, but, actually, even more special! I leaned on my community here in Mongolia a little more. My family from home sent a package that actually showed up ON Christmas, my teachers surprised me with a gift of cake and wine (I told you… they’re great!), and my friends also got together for our own celebration.
What does next year have in store? Well, I am kicking 2020 off in Korea! I leave January 4th and return January 11th. I will be traveling with my German friend, Teresa. Pictures to come. 🙂
Happy Holidays to everyone at home! I miss you all. ❤
A Peace Corps Journey: Mongolia Edition 