Aspiration Statement

So here is a document that I submitted to the Peace Corps for the people in Senegal when I was invited for service. I figured it may be interesting to someone!

A. There are a number of professional attributes I plan to use during my service in the Peace Corps the first of which is good communication skills. I believe being able to listen and ask questions is essential to a better understanding by both parties. Although this will be difficult due to the language difference at first, I will strive to become immerse myself as proficiently as possible. I also strongly believe in the importance of patience and flexibility and consistently make an effort to practice these traits. Most importantly, I aspire to make a difference, however wideranging, in the lives of particular individuals, although hopefully a community. I studied development throughout college and understand, to a certain extent, the, often, idealistic aspirations of economic development and its subsequent shortcomings; therefore, I hope to create a realistic and attainable goal for the time while I am in Senegal.

B. In order to effectively work with host country partners to meet expressed needs, I intend to do a lot of listening in the beginning stages. I am an outsider coming in to see what the needs of the people are and do not believe I am in a position to tell people what they want or need, although I am in one to help once I know where help is needed.

C. Adapting to a new culture will differ for everyone depending on one’s own previous exposure and experiences. For me, I am fortunate to have immersed myself in a culture before in rural India, and found that dressing similarly is a great first step. I know that I will be conspicuous regardless, but at least it is beginning to breaking down barriers and differences.

D. I expect pre-service training to be an intensive but absolutely necessary component of volunteer service in order to gain specific skills and knowledge about what I am expected to do in the upcoming years. In particular, I look forward to the technical knowledge and skills that I am expected to teach in the future as well as strategies that will be introduced.

E. When my service ends, I know that it will be an incredibly impactful experience. I have never done anything quite like this and cannot anticipate how it will change me so I am hesitant to make aspirations as I am a person committed to following through on things. Nevertheless, I am interested in going to graduate school, possibly in public policy, although this academic study area may change. I also love the idea of working for a philanthropic organization such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation or a smaller one as well. After spending so much time away from friends and family I expect to spend the first few months with people I kept in touch with although likely were not able to see during my service.