In this interview, you’ll hear from Grace O’Neill, a Peace Corps Youth Development volunteer in Belize. Grace shares what daily life looks like, the work being done, and how service has shaped their personal and professional growth. You’ll learn about housing, cultural differences, project work, language learning, and what it’s like to live and work in a new country. This interview offers a real look into Peace Corps service and what future volunteers can expect.
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. What do you do as a Peace Corps Youth Development volunteer in Belize?
Our primary project in Belize is youth development through sports. Each volunteer is assigned to a local primary school where we teach life skills classes, P.E. classes, and coach all of the after-school sports disciplines, which include soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and softball.
I also work alongside my local National Sports Council (NSC) office, where I help facilitate summer camps and primary school sports tournaments throughout the year. In the evenings, I coach volleyball for a local club team. So, a typical day can look pretty different depending on the season, which is something I really enjoy about the work.
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Belize?
The Peace Corps had been on my radar for a while. I’ve always known that I wanted the chance to live abroad, experience a new culture, and do meaningful work at the same time. The Peace Corps seemed like a perfect combination of everything I was looking for.
As for Belize specifically, I was really drawn to the project here. Using sports as a vehicle to positively influence youth is something I have believed in for a long time. As a former college athlete, I experienced firsthand the positive impact that sports can have on someone’s life, and I was excited by the opportunity to provide that same experience for the youth of Belize.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Belize?
For the first year of my service, I lived with a host family in an urban setting. I had my own bedroom and shared a bathroom with my host sister. Since my site is urban, it has made it easier to find some of the comforts of home, including good coffee shops and a nice gym that I go to almost every day.
After a year, I decided to move into my own apartment for my final year of service. While I definitely miss my host family, it has been nice to have the experience of living on my own and having a little more independence during my second year.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
Without a doubt, the moments that stand out most to me are the relationships I’ve been able to build through all of the sports teams I’ve joined. I’ve had the chance to play on a soccer team, multiple futsal teams, a softball team, and even a volleyball team. It has been an incredible way to meet locals and immerse myself in the fun and competitive sports environment in Belize.
Since our project is based on youth development through sports, it has also been amazing to show my students firsthand how sports can have a positive impact on their lives. I’ve even had the chance to be the only girl in an all-men’s futsal league, which has been a fun way to show young girls that women can compete with men at any level.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Belize?
How laid-back it is here! The pace of life in Belize is much more relaxed than in the U.S. People are truly never in a rush, and punctuality is valued much less here.
That was definitely hard for me to adjust to at first. As a former athlete, it was always ingrained in my head that “if you’re early, you’re on time, and if you’re on time, you’re late.” That is certainly not a motto that Belizeans live by!
Over time, though, I’ve really come to enjoy the slower pace of life and learning that things happen in their own time here. It has definitely taught me to slow down and be a little more patient.
6. What challenges have you faced in your Youth Development work, and how did you respond?
Youth sports are certainly glorified in the U.S. Travel sports have become a massive market, and families often make big commitments to allow their kids to participate. There is a lot invested in children’s sports from a very young age. While I think there are plenty of negatives to that model, especially when it comes to the barriers that can prevent kids from participating, I’ve found the opposite approach in Belize to be a challenge as well. Sports are often not seen as a top priority and can sometimes be brushed off or cancelled when something else comes up.
There isn’t nearly the same level of importance placed on sports here, and I’ve seen primary school tournaments pushed back or even cancelled. I think that can be detrimental because without consistent practices, games, and opportunities to play, it becomes much harder for kids to commit to developing their skills ( athletic skills & life skills!).
The lack of consistency and the lack of importance sometimes placed on sports have definitely been challenging for me. I believe sports can be an incredible tool for children’s development and can even provide life-changing opportunities, such as athletic scholarships. But in order for kids to truly develop, there needs to be consistent access and opportunities to participate, which is why I believe this project is so important. By consistently showing up, we volunteers can help provide the access and opportunities that every child deserves to experience youth sports.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
As mentioned, my primary project is working at a local primary school, where I run P.E. classes, life skills classes, and all of the after-school sports disciplines.
For my secondary projects, I am a club volleyball coach for a local team. I also partner with my local National Sports Council office to help run summer camps and various sporting events, including races and national sports tournaments.
I also had the opportunity to coach the University of Belize women’s basketball team for a season. That was an especially fun experience because it allowed me to continue being involved in basketball while also working with older athletes.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future Youth Development volunteers in Belize?
The motto for Caye Caulker, a popular tourist island here in Belize, is “Go Slow,” and I think future volunteers should really be prepared to take that motto to heart.
Things are laid-back here, and they take time, so you have to allow yourself to take that time too. This summer, I played on a local softball team, and after one of our games, everyone started sitting around. I was a little confused because it was our final game of the day. I was one of the only people still standing because I was waiting for my ride. My coach came over to me and told me to “take a seat and relax,” so I did. And you know what? I ended up bonding with my teammates, getting to know them better, and making some great memories.
We are wired in the U.S. to go, go, go. When one thing ends, we immediately move on to the next. Sometimes you just need to sit down, relax, and go slow.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
I think Peace Corps training did a great job preparing me to understand the cultural aspects of Belize. As for the actual work, though, I think the best way to learn is through trial and error once you are in service.
I definitely appreciated the time during PST to bond with my cohort and learn the local language and customs, but I think some of the best learning happens when you start working alongside local people and actually listening to what your community needs.
You can learn a lot in a classroom, but there is no substitute for getting out into your community and figuring things out as you go.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
All things sun protection are a must, especially because so much of our work in Belize happens outside while running sports practices and events. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a good hat, and as many Dri-FIT clothes as you can fit are all things I would recommend bringing!
11. How has language learning been for you in Belize?
I was placed in the Kriol language group here in Belize. It has been really fun to learn more about such a unique language, and it has definitely been a fun challenge to use it throughout my service.
I still find it a little intimidating to use sometimes, especially since English is the official language of Belize, but it really does make a difference when you make the effort. I especially notice it helping when talking with kids or when I’m really trying to integrate into the community.
Social Identity
12. How has your personal identity shaped your service experience?
I think being a white woman in Belize has led to a lot of attention. At first, it was a little tricky to deal with because there were often eyes and comments directed my way.
As I’ve become more comfortable and involved in my community, though, I’ve noticed it much less. I think this is one reason why integration is emphasized so heavily during PST. I’ve noticed such a positive difference from simply being more involved in my community.
That’s also why I try to say yes when people invite me to join new sports teams or attend new events. The more people see you and realize that you are actually a part of the community, the more they understand that you aren’t just a tourist passing through.
13. Did your identity lead to specific challenges or situations?
At first, it was challenging to receive unwanted attention, but as I’ve become more involved in my community, I’ve had far more positive interactions.
Whether it’s my students saying hi to me around town or teammates and former coaches stopping to talk to me, I find myself receiving much more positive attention now than unwanted attention. I think a lot of that comes from simply becoming a familiar face and building relationships within the community.
14. What advice do you have for volunteers who share your identity?
Don’t take offense or feel too intimidated by it as long as you are not in physical danger. Unwanted attention is something that many of the women in my cohort have experienced.
While it can definitely be frustrating at first, I’ve found that finding a friendly way to handle it is often more successful than immediately getting angry or upset. Eventually, as you become more integrated into your community, people start to see that you are actually a part of the community.
Final Thoughts
15. What final thoughts would you share with future volunteers?
Say yes! Say yes to the opportunities that cross your path.
So many new and exciting opportunities will come your way during service, and I think it’s important to really channel your inner yes-man or yes-woman. Peace Corps is a unique chance to try all kinds of new and unexpected things.
One of the quickest ways to meet people and become part of your community is simply to keep showing up. Go to the event. Join the team. Say yes to the invitation. Be open-minded and willing to try something new.
You never know which random “yes” is going to turn into one of your favorite memories from service.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Grace, you can live abroad, work with communities, and grow in ways you didn’t expect. Apply to the Peace Corps and take the next step.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Belize Government.
