In this interview, you’ll hear from Rylie LaRue, a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Albania. Rylie 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.
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. What do you do as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Albania?
As a PCV in the Education sector in Albania, I operate as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher who works with counterparts. During the school year, I teach 16-20 lesson classes per week with three English teaching counterparts in a high school of about 350 students. In Albania, the high school is from 10th to 12th grade. I also work on projects such as WriteOn!, Model EU, Junior Achievement Albania, and Spelling Bee in the afternoons and during their respective seasons.
Summer camps
During the summer, I host summer camps and also support other summer camps throughout Albania. My first year, I hosted a life skills summer camp and an Olympic-themed summer camp. I had over 40 people in attendance of all ages. It was so much fun to let the kids run wild while also learning and practicing new skills. This summer, I hosted a GLOW Code summer camp, which focuses on getting young girls involved in leadership and coding. It is a two-week-long camp where girls learn HTML and CSS while working on their own websites and solutions to local community problems, such as littering, stray animals, lack of community spaces, and infrastructure.
Free time
Peace Corps is a 24/7 job, so when I’m not at school, I’m working on curriculum design for projects, reading up on teaching methods, or getting coffee with host country nationals. I also live with a host mom, so we hang out every day and eat our meals together.
However, the school day is short, being 7:30 until 1:15 or 2 pm, so I have a lot of free time. I try to stay active by walking and going to the gym. I also read a lot and stay crafty with junk journaling, bracelet making, and I tried and failed to pick up crocheting. Even still, I have a lot of free time to watch TV and movies or work on passion projects. One thing I think every volunteer can agree on is that the days and weeks are long, but the months and years are short.
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Albania?
I joined the Peace Corps because I am a very service-oriented person who has always had the desire to live abroad and immerse myself in a foreign culture. I had heard about the Peace Corps from a couple from my area who met in the Peace Corps, and throughout university, I found myself drawn to service. I studied Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense with a minor in Environmental Science. International development was something that always interested me, but I didn’t know how to get involved in a way that would be feasible and sustainable.
After researching different programs, the Peace Corps checked every box. I was nervous but excited to start this journey after watching practically every video I could about whether the Peace Corps was right for me. I applied the day I graduated from university and got accepted to Cambodia at first (I chose to apply everywhere). However, the date of the program changed, and I submitted alternate choices, where Albania was one of them. I was invited to accept the TEFL position in Albania, and the rest is history.
Albania was a fun choice, though, because every time I said where I would be going, people would say, “Albania? I’ve never heard of it. Are you sure you don’t mean Armenia?” Even now, people still mix them up, but that’s all part of the Peace Corps’ 3rd goal of sharing about the country and culture of the country served to the American people.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Albania?
Staying with my host family throughout service
Volunteers in Albania are required to live with host families during PST and for the first 6 months of service; then there is an opportunity to move out into independent housing after that. I live with a host family and have lived with a host family for my entire service in Albania. My cohort is a little under 50% in host families, and the rest are living independently.
I actually surprised myself by choosing to stay with a host family. Prior to going to the site, I had decided that I needed the independence of living alone and had closed my mind off to the idea of staying longer than 6 months. However, my host mom did a great job of convincing me to stay the whole two years, and I benefited so much from staying.
Host families
My PST host family consisted of a mom, dad, an older sister, and two younger brothers. Luckily, my host brother spoke English and helped a lot during the beginning months of language learning when all I could say was yes, no, and how are you. My host family at the site consists of just a host mom at home and an older sister and brother who live away from home. I was considered a blessing because she had been living alone for years, and her family and friends were worried about her being lonely. She was a blessing to me by helping me at school; she is a teacher at my school, at home, and in the community.
Food culture
Living with a host family can be tough if you have food restrictions. However, I have found that being up front and honest has helped so much. This won’t stop the host family from offering more food even though you’re stuffed. One of my most common mealtime sayings is “I’m full” or “I don’t have any more room in my stomach.” I usually have to say this at least 3 times before I’m believed, but I’m firm on my word.
The food is so delicious, though, and my host mom always wants me to explore and try the different types of Albanian foods that exist. I have also learned how to cook many Albanian dishes, such as byrek and baklava, and we have had so much fun learning together.
Cultural differences
Privacy is tough sometimes, too. Cultural differences in what privacy means are definitely a learning curve for both of us. Meeting in the middle has always been a challenge, and on some issues, I have to give, and on some issues, my host family has to give. Once again, communication is key, and being clear and firm in your desires will take you far.
Language learning
My language learning has been deeply impacted by living with the host family. My host mom does not speak English, so I was forced to learn Albanian so we could communicate. She also loves to yap with me about anything and everything. I’ve tried to teach her English, but it hasn’t stuck yet. However, I do not think I would have achieved advanced high on my LPI without her.
Even though some days are harder than others, I am so glad that I decided to live with a host family. I have talked to other volunteers who live with host families, and they agree that it was the best choice. The benefits outweigh the challenges and make it all worth it. I know that I have a family for life, and I am so grateful for that.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
I have so many fond memories with my host mom. After two years, we have become integrated into each other’s lives. During the summer of 2024, I took a trip to my host mom’s hometown and met her family. She is from the coast and invited me to meet her mother, brother, and sister-in-law. It was such an honor to be able to meet her family and see how and where she grew up. I went to the beach where she used to play as a kid and eat at the table she used to eat at. Meeting her mom was such a treat, too. She’s an older, little lady whom I could hardly understand. She would just talk and talk and pinch my cheeks while I sat there listening. It really made me feel like a part of the family.
My sister came to visit Albania this summer, and she wanted to see my stomping grounds. My host mom was immediately infatuated. I’m pretty tall compared to Albanians (5 feet 8 inches), but my sister towers over me at almost 6 feet tall. She’s model gorgeous, and my host mom loved to walk her around the town and show her off. My host mom wanted to teach my sister how to make baklava, so we made a giant pan this summer. It was so fun teaching her how to make one of my favorite Albanian desserts and sharing the process together. It was one of my favorite memories together.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What challenges have you faced in your Education work, and how did you respond?
Being a teacher is hard wherever you teach. However, teaching students from another culture whose native language is not my own is a whole other kind of difficult. I have faced many challenges and successes teaching in Albania. The biggest factor in responding to these challenges is perspective and optimism. It is so easy to make a bad day worse with pessimism and doubt. I recently heard someone say that optimism is a radical choice in today’s world, and I really agree.
Patience is a skill
Patience has been something I’ve struggled with for the past two years. Patience is a skill that takes a lot of work and perseverance. Students love to test boundaries and push buttons, which can wear patience thin. Even with counterparts and host families, patience is a key virtue. Something I’ve done to practice patience is working on deep breathing, staying calm, and remembering that even though it feels big, it’s really not that serious in context.
Planning and going with the flow
Another difficulty has been walking the line between planning and going with the flow. Albanians typically are not big on planning, and as an American, this concept does not work well with the rigid idea of how things should work. It took a long time to let go of the planning side and embrace the go with the flow side. I had to lower my expectations and realize that sometimes things may fail. A fear of failure is instilled in most of us, and learning to fail gracefully has been a huge growth moment for me.
Also, sometimes just having things planned without an exact time or place can come in handy as well. I have come to love the “Avash avash” (“Slowly slowly”) mindset that Albanians have because it really allows you to enjoy your surroundings and savour every minute.
Lack of a discipline system
Another challenge I’ve faced in education has been a lack of a system of discipline. In America, if students misbehave or are absent for long periods of time, there are systems in place to refer the students and get them the consequences, discipline, or help that they need.
However, in Albania, these systems do not exist, and students have no real form of consequence when they break rules. I had a very difficult time coming to terms with this. After discussing this issue with my counterparts, the school security officer, school psychologist, and director, I found that this is a nationwide issue that is widespread and ingrained in the school system. This is a change that will take a long time and a lot of effort. Having the school staff supporting me through troubled classes and helping me handle rowdy students has helped so much. However, systemwide change needs to happen and is happening slowly but surely.
6. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
WriteOn!
WriteOn! is a dynamic creative writing competition facilitated by Peace Corps Volunteers. It provides a platform for students to explore their creativity in English without the pressure of grammar or spelling. In just one hour, participants choose from two prompts to craft a piece of creative writing. I coordinated and implemented WriteOn! Albania and internationally, resulting in over 2,000 students participating over 2 years in Albania, as well as 6 countries, and nearly 200 winning students internationally.
As a coordinator for this event, I handled tasks like preparing materials, offering support to volunteers, organizing the judging process, and managing the social media presence. My goal was to ensure that WriteOn! Runs smoothly and provides an enriching experience for all involved. In my community, nearly 200 students were involved in the competition, which included 1 international first-place story along with 4 national winners.
Model EU
I implemented and coordinated a Model EU club in my school, where a group of 16 students met weekly to introduce students to the structure and function of the European Union through interactive simulations and discussions. I facilitated activities where students represent EU member states, debate current issues, and practice skills such as negotiation, public speaking, and critical thinking. The club fostered civic awareness, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of international relations. This work culminated in the Model EU conference that mirrored the real-world decision-making processes. All 16 students attended and were accompanied by me, where one student received a special accolade for her achievement.
Junior Achievement Albania
Junior Achievement Albania is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. I assisted and mentored four teams of high school students throughout my service through the Junior Achievement Albania program as they developed and launched their own business project. I guided them through key entrepreneurial steps, including idea generation, market research, budgeting, branding, and pitching. Together, we explored topics like sustainable business practices and social impact, while preparing for regional and national competitions. The project empowered students to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.
GLOW Code
GLOW Code summer camps offer a free 2-week program where girls not only learn coding but also acquire essential leadership and empowerment skills. Our approach is simple yet transformative: we introduce young girls to technology and leadership in a fun and engaging way, helping them build a solid foundation of positive values for their future ambitions and career paths.
At my site, I organized a GLOW Code summer camp, which was designed to empower 18 young girls by gaining coding and leadership experience in rural Albania, which was funded by the Friends of Albania grant and GoFundMe funds organized by family and friends in America. We were a total of 5 Peace Corps Volunteers, many community partners, and an absolutely amazing Albanian coding counterpart.
Advice and Support
7. What advice would you give to future Education volunteers in Albania?
- Have no expectations. Expectations ruin the joy of the unknown.
- Take everything in stride and try to frame it as a learning experience rather than a failure.
- Form strong bonds with your counterparts and other teachers; they will be your support system when the going gets rough.
- Bring the positivity daily, and people notice.
8. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
The various trainings give you a solid basis for the practical aspects of service. They give you the general ideas of what you should do in a variety of scenarios. Practicum was the best training we had because we were able to actually lesson plan and teach those lessons to a real class. I gained invaluable lessons because I had never taught in a classroom setting before. PST sets you up for success, while the following trainings, such as various ISTs, MST, and COS, serve as a reflection point and exchanges of ideas and experiences.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
9. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
Our cohort made a packing list and answered some frequently asked questions about service in Albania. Hopefully this helps! Google Docs Packing List
10. How has language learning been for you in Albania?
Language learning has certainly been a journey. I tried to take a peek at the language resources before I came to Albania on LearningSpace, but I felt like I was staring at gibberish. Therefore, I came to Albania with a blank slate, as most other volunteers did.
The language program is set up to start from the very beginning, and you are thrown in the deep end with it. You have 2-3 days of training, then you move in with a host family that may or may not speak English. However, this forced me to sit on the couch and really study. We also did study sessions as a language group after class and were really committed to becoming fluent. I don’t believe that not studying before coming is a huge hindrance. You will be okay if you don’t, but if you’re motivated and you have the time, you might as well.
Practice and don’t be embarrassed
The best advice I have is to practice and not be embarrassed. Albanians love to help and are so impressed that you made the choice to learn Albanian. Even just saying hi and how are you will elicit a whole conversation about you, your life, what are you doing in Albania, who do you live with, how much money do you make, are you married, do you want to get married, do you want to have kids, why would you come to Albania when we all want to go to America, etc., etc. Just kidding, this only happens 75% of the time haha.
In all seriousness, though, talking to people is the most helpful thing. Studying vocabulary and grammar will only get you so far. It is important in its own right, but most Peace Corps Volunteers primarily use Albanian for speaking.
Living with a host family helps
Living with a host family has helped improve my language learning as well. We constantly absorb Albanian media, news, and converse daily in Albanian. My host mom speaks no English, so I’ve forced myself to practice and improve. She also loves having a companion she can gossip with, discuss her problems and joys, while also talking about the simple things like the weather.
Language Proficiency Interview
In all Peace Corps countries, you take something called a Language Proficiency Interview (LPI) four times throughout your service (end of PST, IST, MST, and COS) to help track your progress. It is an oral interview that features an informal and occasionally formal conversation as well as a situational scenario to demonstrate the demand of discussing unfamiliar topics. Throughout my service, I went from intermediate high to advanced low to advanced mid to advanced high (the highest score that can be given by LPI interviewers in Albania).
I credit this improvement to my conversations that I’ve had with my host mom and other host country nationals who expect the best out of me. My host mom told me, “You have to score the highest because you’re my daughter and I know you can do it.” Parents expect a lot out of their children, and host children are no exception.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
11. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
Having a blog has been so much fun. I like to think of it as a digital journal. I had never been much of a journalist, but it’s a way to keep track of my life and share it with people back home. It has benefited us all because it is hard to keep people back home up to date on life abroad, so this is a way to share my experience with them as well as help ease incoming volunteer fears.
I had many volunteers in the cohort after me share that my blog helped prepare them and set expectations. While a blog is a small window into what service is really like, I hope it can help people better gauge what the Peace Corps is like for me.
I’ve been a little lazy and very busy, so I haven’t updated my blog in a hot minute, but I plan to put out some content soon. Subscribe and read my blog at rylieabroad.wordpress.com if you’re interested in learning more about me, Albania, the Peace Corps, and my experience.
Dive into the world of Rylie Abroad, where I share my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer, traveler, and lifelong learner. From the bustling streets of Tirana to the serene hills of rural southeastern Albania, my blog captures the essence of cultural exchange, personal growth, and the joy of discovering new places and perspectives. Read more HERE!
12. What final advice would you share with future volunteers?
An open mind and a patient composure will take you farther than any other training, equipment, or physical thing can. Expectations can destroy a beautiful thing as well. Enjoy every moment of your service because the time absolutely flies by.
One thing I did was make a “Peace Corps Bucket List” and planned my service accordingly. Every experience, project, trip, or event I wanted to host or attend, I wrote down in a list and made sure I made those items a priority. Some things on my list were projects I wanted to do with my students, cultural events I wanted to experience, places I wanted to travel to, etc. Even though two years feels long, your time should be sufficiently organized in order to make the most of the two years.
Best of luck on your journey as a volunteer. Try to focus on the good and be optimistic, and you will go far.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Rylie, 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 Albania Government.
