In this interview, we hear from Laura Clements. Laura is a Peace Corps volunteer working as a Education volunteer in Armenia. What Laura shares gives us a better understanding of the work volunteers do. We learn about the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that happens from volunteering in a new place. Laura talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Laura’s journey and see how volunteering with Peace Corps can change lives.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Tell us more about serving as an Education volunteer in Armenia?
I’m a TEFL volunteer, so what that looks like at my site is teaching English at one of the local basic schools for grades 3-9 with an Armenian counterpart. Luckily, I have a great counterpart and have learned so much from her 20+ years of experience. We have a set schedule for the classes that we teach, but often find that they can change last minute, so I’ve learned to be adaptable and just roll with it.
Along side my normal class schedule, I also hold after school English Clubs for my students and volunteer at the Library to lead a discussion group for intermediate/advanced youth. Sometimes I’m also invited to other schools in the city or neighboring villages to give presentations.
Though I have a schedule each day looks a little different. Most days I’m out of my apartment by 8:50am and sometimes don’t return until after 5pm. I’m kept pretty busy at my site, but I enjoy being able to interact with so many different people. I’m the one teaching, but I feel like I learn so much from everyone else.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Armenia?
So originally, Peace Corps actually wasn’t part of my plans. I had heard a little about it previously from a family friend who served as a PCV in Uganda but had never really thought about it. I was post-undergrad, working as a caseworker at a mental health clinic, starting my grad school applications, when I was prompted to look more into the Peace Corps and apply.
Service and humanitarian work have always been important to me so when I got the prompting to look into Peace Corps I followed it. I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to apply and chose to go anywhere. My first offer was to Zambia, but after some health considerations, it was decided that Armenia would be a better fit.
It wasn’t an easy decision and wasn’t part of my original plans, but I am so glad that I followed through on the prompting and am now serving in Armenia. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else and have come to love this country and its people.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
Vanadzor is the best site in all of Armenia
I might be a little biased, but I think that my site is the best in all of Armenia. I live in the 3rd largest city in Armenia, which is great because we have the city vibes without it being too big and we also have nature all around us. We’re nestled in a valley between the mountains so it’s beautiful year-round (green in the spring/summer and snowcapped during the winter season).
My site has lots of places to eat (my favorite is a restaurant called Salori or KFC if you’re missing home), things to do (carnival in the summer, movie theater, gym, concerts in the square, outdoor adventures), and we’re also located in a great location for visiting other volunteers in villages nearby.
My experience living with a host family
I used to live with a host family, but they were blessed to get a visa and were able to move to Canada. I enjoyed my time living with them and they helped me integrate a lot into my city. They were my first source of contact and made me feel welcome. When it was time to move out, they assisted me in finding a small apartment which I have lived in for almost 1.5 years. Even with them living in Canada I still keep in contact with them occasionally.
One of the other volunteer’s family at our site has adopted me too which helps me still feel connected to a host family and taken care of. I loved living with a host family to have that connection and not have to cook, but it is also really nice being independent and able to live alone.
My recommendation would be to live with your host family at least through the winter and then if there are opportunities to move out and you still want to, then go ahead, but if not enjoy your time with your host family.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
I’m really blessed by being able to attend church each Sunday with a local group of members of my faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). It’s all in Armenian and the group mostly consists of older ladies, but they’ve really adopted me into their family. Having this community has really been a lifeline for me in Armenia and I’m extremely grateful for the friends I’ve made here. Seeing their smiles and receiving their hugs and kisses makes me feel like I’m at home and lifts my spirit.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about Education challenges in Armenia?
I think for me the most surprising thing about education in Armenia was the lack of what I perceived as organization. Especially, coming in with an American view of specific structures, expectations, and deadlines. It can seem from an outside perspective to be chaotic (which there is definitely some chaos), but there is structure just not in the way that we’re used to it.
Along with that specifically as a teacher, I’ve seen a lot of controversy and discrepancies over the English textbooks used in the schools which makes it difficult for teaching. But the teachers and students do their best to work hard and find success.
6. What challenges did you face while working on Education projects?
I’d say the largest challenge has mainly been from nuanced language barriers or different sets of expectations. The community partners I’ve worked with have been great and I’ve learned so much from them, but anytime you work with people of different backgrounds and experiences there’s gonna be some hiccups along the way.
What I’ve learned is that when working on projects it’s important to be clear with expectations and roles rather than just assuming either party understands completely (especially when communicating in your non native language whether it’s you or your community partner).
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
There have been several projects that I’ve been involved in, but I guess some of the more notable ones include:
Creating an English Resource Center in my school which was funded by a SPA grant. My community partner and I decided to apply for a grant so that we could have a space in our school dedicated specifically to English. Previously there was no specific room available for this and we were constantly moving around and working with very limited resources. Having this room has made it easier to be more consistent with our lessons and has aided us in delivering more engaging lessons to our students.
Another project I’ve done was partnering with another volunteer at my site to plan a city-wide spelling bee event for grades 7-9. We had 20 schools participate and over 100 student participants. It was the first spelling bee to be city-wide and was a huge success for the community. We plan to do it again this year and would like to invite some of the neighboring villages to participate as well.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Education volunteer in Armenia?
It will be one of the hardest things you’ll love to do! You’ll make lasting friendships and grow more than you can imagine.
Just a piece of advice…be humble and know that you are coming in with American biases, try to check those at the door. Trust me you do not know everything and will have a lot to learn. When you come you’ll have these big ideas of what you want to do (which is great), but be ready to adjust so that you can more appropriately meet the needs of the local community.
Lower your expectations of what you think your service will look like and don’t compare yourself to others. Also, count the little victories!
9. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a Education volunteer?
I think some of the most important skills or qualities of an education volunteer are being adaptable, creative, planning, and okay with laughing at yourself. I’ve learned that things change at the drop of a dime and you gotta be ready to go with it. Try to find ways to think outside of the box and be more engaging with your lessons. Make a plan, and be ready with backup activities including room for flexibility. Lastly, you don’t have to be a perfect teacher. It’s okay to make mistakes and laugh at yourself when you do. You’re students will prefer you being authentic rather than overly professional.
10. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Not all of the trainings (PST, IST, MST) are going to be gold. Some sessions may help more than others. What I can say is that when they give you suggestions or ideas to use in the classroom (especially for activities) write those down! It’ll help you so you don’t have to start from scratch. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to other volunteers to see what they have done or already prepared!
Also when it’s time to do your practicum go all in. That is what I found the most helpful because it gave us a taste of what service would look like. Use that time to figure out what does and doesn’t work and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s a soft launch for you to see how your service can go.
Don’t try to rush through the training and enjoy the journey. Use it as a time to build relationships with PC staff and fellow PCVs. They will be your biggest help when you are at site. You may not remember the sessions, but you’ll be able to rely on the people you built relationships with, so when you are struggling or need help with something you can feel comfortable turning to them for advice and help.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
11. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Armenia volunteers?
It’s hard to know what to pack when you’ll be gone for 2 years. One thing I’d say is to pack stuff that will make your life a little more comfortable. For example, I really like to play games, so I packed some of my favorite card games. They’ve been great to use while teaching, but they’ve also been great to use when hanging out with my PCV friends. So bring whatever will make you feel most comfortable: spices, electronic devices, instruments, books, Spotify account, streaming services, etc.
I will say that I am glad that I brought zip-lock bags because they have so many different uses. You can get them here, but they’re pretty expensive. I’d also say having a good set of hiking shoes and regular tennis shoes is important too. The roads here are not great, so you’ll want something durable and comfortable.
12. How has learning the language been?
Not gonna lie, the Armenian language is brutal, but worth it to learn. I’d say prior to staging, do the recommended online courses with the tutor (LCF: Language and cultural facilitator provided by Peace Corps). If you want you can try to learn more outside of that but I wouldn’t say there is a need.
Once you get in-country you’ll be put into language classes with people of similar skill, this will be where you will get a solid foundation. After PST (Pre-Service Training) at your permanent site, you’ll work online with a tutor similar to pre-staging for about 3 more months. After that, you’ll have the option to stop language learning or you can continue with a private tutor that Peace Corps will reimburse you for. I recommend meeting with a tutor, because it’ll help you to continue learning the language which will only help you feel more comfortable living in Armenia.
One of my regrets is not finding a tutor to work with, especially living on my own, and as an English teacher, my Armenian interactions were limited. Most of my practice has come from random people on the street. I can understand quite a bit and am comfortable getting around, but I know it would’ve been better had I continued studying.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
13. How do you think your blog contributes to your overall mission as a Peace Corps volunteer?
My blog has been a great way to share with my friends and family about my experiences here in Armenia as part of the 3rd goal of Peace Corps to educate Americans about Armenian culture and customs. It’s also been a great way for me to preserve the memories I’m making here.
Welcome to Laura’s blog, “Those who wander are not lost“, a place where she can share her experiences, and display her love for Armenia. Laura’s goal is to educate Americans on the Armenian culture. She invites you to explore her content and learn about what makes Armenia so special. You can find it HERE!
I’d say the hardest part about doing a blog is being consistent with the posts. I am guilty of being way behind on posting mostly because sometimes it can just be a lot. But it doesn’t have to be, keeping it short and simple would be my advice for future volunteers, otherwise, you might burn out.
I’d also say to be authentic while remembering to be careful about what you post. You are allowed to post about your experiences the good and the bad, but be aware of who your audience is. Just like people back home will probably be reading your blog, some members of your site community might as well. While being true to your experiences be careful not to offend locals and risk putting yourself in danger or ostracizing yourself from your community if you accidentally vent too much. If you need a place to vent try to do that somewhere more privately. Your blog should be done in a respectful way that represents your experiences and helps both cultures better understand one another.
14. Any last comments or observations you’d like to pass on to future Armenia volunteers?
Have fun and be friends with the people in your cohort! You’ll have a better Peace Corps experience if you strive to make worthwhile connections with fellow PCVs and HCNs (host-country nationals). Welcome to the family!
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Laura’s, apply to the Peace Corps today. Expand your horizons, push your limits, and create positive impact as a volunteer. You never know how serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could change your life.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Armenian Government.
