ALL ABOUT MISS ASHLEY
My name is Ashley. I am 30 years old, and I am from the United States. My family is from Florida, and my mom and step-dad live there. I have a degree in political science and am working on a master's in
education. I have previously worked in a library, for a newspaper, and for an international NGO. I am currently a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps.
education. I have previously worked in a library, for a newspaper, and for an international NGO. I am currently a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps is a volunteer organization that is run by the U.S. government. In the U.S., Peace Corps is a prestigious organization, and many returned Peace Corps Volunteers go on to work in the government, NGO's, or in the public service sector. As a volunteer, I do not receive a salary, but I do receive a stipend from the Peace Corps to pay for my cost of living.
Volunteering is a very popular concept at home. I have been volunteering for different organizations since high school. One reason is that I like to try different things and have new experiences; it is important to me that I learn something new every day. So, it's no surprise that I also love to travel. I was born abroad and my parents are Americans who met and married abroad, so I think traveling is in my blood. Being in Peace Corps is a way for me to see the world and learn in-depth about a different culture, people, and language.
I also join the Peace Corps to see if I wanted to have a career abroad teaching English as a foreign language. In the States, I worked with adult refugees who wanted to learn English to integrate into their new homes in the U.S. Teaching adults is, in many ways, easier, but I have to say that it is more interesting teaching younger children. There is never a boring day. I haven't decided if I want to continue teaching abroad or return home and be closer to my family.
I thought about doing Peace Corps after college, but I didn't feel that I was fully prepared until recently. It takes more than 1 year to apply, and you don't get to choose where you go. You fill out many, many forms and wait a long, long time. But, to me, it was worth it. I knew that I would have an interesting experience wherever I went. In the end, I was offered two choices of programs, and I chose the program that sent me to Romania. It was a good choice. I have really enjoyed my time here, learned a lot, and met some great people. I can't believe that a year has passed already, and that sooner than I realize it will be time for me to leave Romania. But my host father tells me that since I've drunk the water in Perisoru it means that I will get married and live here forever. Who knows?
