There are times in life when you know that you’re in for a treat. When you sense that you’ve signed on for a worthwhile hiking trip in the mountains or a meaningful Tinder date. Most of the doubts you had have been rationalized away and you’re left with nothing but giddiness. You think of an aged Bilbo Baggins taking a puff of his pipe and giving a ‘It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door…’ speech. Nothing can stand in the way of this being a good time in your life.
There are also times when you polish off a Chinese buffet with your parents and get this in your fortune cookie:
Uh… The Peace Corps awaits! Soon I will be soaking in new horizons and immersing myself in a conscientious study of Chinese culture and language. Actually, next Saturday is when I fly out of San Francisco so a very soon is in order. Very soon I will bask in the sticky summer and torrential rains of China while ingesting cubic meters of rice and not pizza. It is hard for me to believe.
For anyone who doesn’t know about what the Peace Corps is doing in China now is the time for me to lay it all out there for ya. Or at least how I see it.
Helping the people of China meet their need for trained men and women
By that the Peace Corps means they have been providing English teachers at universities, teacher-training colleges and secondary education classrooms for the past 22 years. In order to be present in a country the Peace Corps first needs to be invited by that country. China needs us to meet their ambitious 9-years of education for every citizen goal. They need thousands more teachers who are trained in conversational (read: accurate) modern English. That’s our duty and has been the duty of the near 1,000 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) who have already served in China.
Not only do PCVs teach English, but they do so at many levels. To English majors and test-takers of all ages. Student to teacher ratios can be anywhere from 35:1 or 90:1 depending on the site. Holy cow!
I am thankful that I grew up speaking English. I do not consider myself an expert by any means, but I am confident that my English will be better than at least a couple of my Chinese colleagues and students.
Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on part of the Chinese people
PCVs in China live in community with Chinese nationals. They have apartments on or near the campus where they’re teaching. They eat the same food, walk on the same sidewalks and even hold hands sometimes. Or at least I hope so.
It is the goal of a PCV to accompany those who they live near and to delve as far as they can into local customs, as well as to share a few American ways of life.
You’ve never heard of Netflix?!
That being said, I have heard that it can be intimidating for a Chinese person (of any age or gender) to approach a foreigner. Many would describe themselves as ‘shy’. So sometimes it is on the PCV to begin a conversation or to ask someone to the winter formal.
Helping promote a better understanding of Chinese people on the part of Americans
Let’s face it. As an average citizen of the United States I don’t really know a lot about the average Chinese person or China. Some see China as an economic powerhouse and a threat, while others look across the Pacific for collaboration and friendship. Some don’t care either way.
The Peace Corps puts Americans on the ground and makes it a goal to have them learn something about the Chinese and then to spray it. This makes me feel good. With the Internet around it makes it easier than ever to do that.
Past and present PCVs in China (and around the world) have created excellent content that has promoted their host country and realized this goal. Their contributions have made my own research much easier. Special thanks to Trigg Ferrano, a China 2011-13 PCV, for a great compilation video of his time. It especially makes my mom feel better about my own pending.
Secondary Projects
To add to what’s been said already, PCVs in China will often work on a secondary project in their community. In Trigg’s case, he organized an eco club that was involved in getting students to live and work on an organic farm one summer. He also formed an acapella group with some of his students to touch on his interest in singing.
The Peace Corps can even provide PCVs with funding for these projects. Now that’s aca-awesome.
/endingRant
Peace Corps Volunteers. They are misunderstood and treated poorly at times, but also welcomed and respected at others. To the Chinese, Peace Corps Volunteers are given the name ‘US-China Friendship Volunteers’. A caring friend pours your glass of milk first and then their own. It’s good to know that China understands this, too.
There is something great to be said about trans-cultural dialogue and intercultural exchange. This blog is my own little way of exploring what that is.
christen sun 