In this interview, you’ll hear from Jack Molitor, a Peace Corps (CED) Community Economic Development volunteer in North Macedonia. Jack 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.
Jump to:
- 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. What do you do as a Peace Corps CED volunteer in North Macedonia?
As a Peace Corps CED volunteer in North Macedonia, there is always something new and exciting happening! I currently work in a Youth Center in the beautiful city of Bitola. I collaborate with two NGOs that run and facilitate the youth center. Both of them assist in keeping the youth center up and running, but they also engage in projects of their own!
My average day involves me here in the office, managing social media pages, writing and assisting on projects and grants, hosting different events and workshops, managing other volunteers, and so much more!
Although I spend most of my days here in the office, I get plenty of opportunities to get out in the field for various projects. I have had the opportunity to travel to various countries to educate and participate in EU-funded youth exchanges and seminars. Additionally, we host plenty of projects in my region that involve many outdoor activities. From summer camps to hikes, kayaking trips, trash pickups, and garden buildings, I get to do it all!
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in North Macedonia?
I decided to apply to the Peace Corps shortly after I graduated from college in 2020. Post-university, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to continue helping people and to travel. The Peace Corps seemed to be the perfect option to satisfy both of those wishes. I was determined to live and work in a different country for a longer period of time, and I was ready to go anywhere. I did not actually choose to come to North Macedonia; it was actually the third country I was selected for.
Initially, I interviewed to volunteer in Albania, but unfortunately, all of the spots filled up and I was not invited to serve there. Afterwards, I was invited to serve in the Philippines. I was absolutely ecstatic to receive this invite, and to go to the Philippines seemed like a dream come true. Unfortunately, as all PC volunteers know, the medical process to get clearance is very tedious. I was unable to fulfill the medical requirements to depart for the Philippines and had to sadly withdraw.
However, soon after my original departure date, I was invited to instead serve in Macedonia. I was absolutely devastated when I learned I wouldn’t be going to the Philippines, but looking back on it now, I am so happy to have ended up here instead. These past two years have been the most fulfilling and eye-opening experience I could have imagined.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in North Macedonia?
I am currently living in my own apartment in the city. I was initially with a host mom, but I decided after a year that I wanted to find my own flat and have some independence. I felt at this point I had integrated well, and I chose to seek my own path.
I have a nice, one-bedroom apartment near the center, and it is absolutely amazing. The food in this country, and the Balkans as a whole, is absolutely amazing. The diet consists mostly of fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits, fresh bread, cheese, and a lot of meat.
Macedonia is a very mountainous country, which gives me the opportunity to spend time hiking and being in nature; this is something I will miss the most when I return to New York. I even have a tattoo of Baba (Grandma) Mountain, which is the mountain that overlooks our city!
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
Performing for the President of Macedonia
The first moment that really stands out to me in my service is from our swearing-in ceremony. I was offered to perform a traditional Macedonian folk song during our swearing-in. I spent weeks learning the song and all of the lyrics. The President of Macedonia, as well as the US Ambassador, were in attendance at this ceremony, so it was quite nerve-racking to perform right in front of them! This experience was amazing, and I felt welcomed and ready to begin my service after this performance.
Jamming with a local
Another moment that sticks out in my mind was when I was out for a picnic with my friends. The spot we had chosen for the picnic was at this beautiful waterfall. Of course, I brought my guitar with me. On our way back towards the city, we encountered an older man in his backyard. He was making homemade rakija (typical Balkan brandy) and had noticed I was carrying my guitar on my back. He came over to me and asked if I wanted to play a song for him. Of course, I agreed, and started playing the same song I had played at our swearing-in ceremony. After about 30 seconds of playing, he signaled for my friends and I to come join him in his backyard.
We sat down at the table, and immediately he offered us rakija. Being invited into a Macedonian’s home for some rakija is almost like a rite of passage, so we gladly accepted. I continued playing guitar, and a few minutes later, the man, Tom was his name, disappeared back into his house. He returned holding a massive accordion in his hands. He joined us back at the table, and the two of us just started playing together. We played everything from traditional folk songs to The Beatles. After about an hour of drinking and playing, it was time for us to go. We said our goodbyes and went on our way.
I never saw Tom again after that day. This day is one of my warmest and most cherished memories in my two years of service, and I will hold on to it forever, as a token of true authenticity in a country that no longer seemed so foreign.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in North Macedonia?
I think the thing that has surprised me the most about living in this country is the general switch in lifestyle. Coming from New York, I am used to a very fast-paced and urgent life. It is the total opposite here. People never hesitate to sit for a coffee and have a nice conversation. There is a lack of urgency here, and to be honest, it’s a bit infectious. I feel like the work-life balance is much more even here. People do not always prioritize work over life, and while this can be frustrating at certain points when I am trying to get something done, I think it is ultimately healthier and more enjoyable.
6. What challenges have you faced in your CED work, and how did you respond?
There are always challenges when working in the NGO sector. We often get pushback from the municipality or are told that we are not allowed to do something for one reason or another. It is our job to be resourceful, adaptive, and clever in our methods to achieve our goals. Macedonia is a country that faces a lot of corruption, and this often gets in the way of our objectives. Fortunately, I work with some very experienced NGOs, and usually we are able to find an alternative path to complete our projects and work to better our community.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
In addition to project writing, social media management, and event hosting, I have also had the opportunity to start some smaller-scale clubs here at the youth center. I am a passionate musician, and I knew when I arrived here that I wanted to start a music club. Since starting this club at the beginning of my service, we have had over 30 different meetings, covering all aspects of different music. I have hosted guitar lessons, Eurovision watch parties, movie nights, and so much more throughout the duration of this club. I am so happy to share my love for music with the youth of my city.
Additionally, I have also started Eco and Art clubs. We work to educate the youth about the many environmental challenges that their country faces, and how we can work together to overcome these challenges. The art club focuses on creative expression, and we work with different media, including painting, drawing, sculpting, and clay work, to inspire creativity amongst the youth.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future CED volunteers in North Macedonia?
My greatest advice is to be active. The opportunities to do something and make a change are not going to come knocking at your door; you must develop your own ideas and initiate them. This is especially true when working with the municipalities. It will be a challenge to get things done, but you must fight through these challenges and learn how to make things happen on your own.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
PST (Pre-Service Training) was incredibly helpful in preparing for service. Specifically, the language training is intense, and it progresses rapidly. The hands-on training during PST was also relevant, but perhaps not as specific as it could have been.
The inherent issue with CED training, unlike English Education, is that we will all be working with different organizations and municipalities that all focus on different topics. This makes it more challenging to train every CED equally when our jobs will vary so much. But overall, I think the training was very helpful and gave us a fairly good idea of what we could expect once our service began.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
Bring spices! If you enjoy cooking like me, there are many spices you will be unable to find here. You will be able to find the basics, but not much beyond that. If you have some spices that you like to use in your cooking, I recommend you bring a few bottles along with you.
I also recommend bringing a portable towel. This will be very useful for your trips to Lake Ohrid. Also, make sure to bring a lot of warm clothes. In the winter, it gets very cold here, and the insulation/heating units are often inadequate for keeping your apartment or house warm. The more warm clothes you bring, the better.
11. How has language learning been for you in North Macedonia?
Language learning has been slow but steady for me. PST was a great boost to get the foundations, but from there, you will need to find your own path. While the Peace Corps does provide tutoring opportunities, I find the best way to learn the language is to speak as often as you can with the locals at your site. They will be happy to teach you different dialects and words that you could never learn in a more formal setting.
Another challenge I faced is that, especially in cities, many locals speak English very well, and they will be eager to practice with you. It is important to find a balance between Macedonian and English with your local friends, so you can both practice together.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
12. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
I can share with you my youtube channel! I mostly do song covers, but I do have some videos of walking tours throughout Macedonia and my other travels around Europe if you are interested!
13. What final advice would you share with future volunteers?
Just say yes! Go out and do things. Don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Work to expand your comfort zone. The more things you say yes to, the more rewarded you will feel at the end of your service. Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself sometimes! That is natural, and it comes with growth.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Jack, 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 North Macedonia Government.
