In this interview, you’ll hear from Thomas Flippin, a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Mongolia. Thomas 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
- Social Identity
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. What do you do as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Mongolia?
This is best answered in two parts—First as an English Education and Community Development (EECD) Volunteer, second as a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader (PCVL).
I worked for two years at a public secondary school in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where I taught English and worked with a variety of student initiatives. I typically taught 8 classes per week with counterparts, co-facilitated speaking and reading clubs, and even worked with younger, less experienced teachers to improve both their language and classroom skills. Moreover, I worked with a variety of student initiatives, including Student Council and Student Patrol, to run skill development workshops and provide some pointers on running an effective organization.
Since January 2025, I’ve been PCVL, a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader, for Peace Corps Mongolia, having extended for another year of service. Half the time, I’m working in the Peace Corps office here to provide guidance to current PCVs, assist staff with administrative or training-related tasks, and act as a liaison between PCVs and staff. The other half of the time, I’m working with YOUTHinc, a local NGO, to support its ongoing youth development projects and hope to leave behind some best practices.
What this role actually looks like changes by the week—One week I might be helping a Program Specialist put together a video tutorial for prospective sites on the Peace Corps Logical Project Framework (LPF), another week I might be pitching an idea to my NGO for a professional English workshop series, and or even put together a picture guide for PCVs on the Volunteer Reporting & Grants (VRG) system.
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Mongolia?
I joined the Peace Corps because I wanted change, in more ways than one—Change in career, environment, culture; the list goes on. I previously got my MA in East Asian Languages and Cultures, and had been teaching English in Japan with the JET Program. While those experiences were rewarding, I realized that neither TEFL nor academics were my endgame. When thinking about what I wanted next, I remembered that my mother had previously served in the Peace Corps, so I thought “why not” and looked into it.
When I found out about Peace Corps Mongolia, everything seemed to fall into place. The EECD project seemed like the best way to transition out of TEFL and into something different. Parts of my experience in Japan prepared me for service in Mongolia, all the while forcing me to adapt to an entirely different landscape. I applied directly for Mongolia, and boy am I still glad it worked out.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Mongolia?
Mongolia PCVs are posted in prefectural centers (aimagiin tov) or in the capital itself, and live independently in Soviet-style apartments. These apartments are quite comfortable and well-heated, if to a fault. The current living situation is a radical departure from previous years, given that most Mongolia PCVs used to live in small villages (soum) in a yurt (ger) alongside a host family. I appreciate this new arrangement, given that I can focus more on work and less on survival.
I live in the capital, which offers all the amenities expected of a metropolis—Shopping, restaurants, nightlife, social opportunities, and other creature comforts. That said, I live in an urban environment on a pretty tight stipend, so I’m usually selective about engaging in these opportunities. Prices can fluctuate wildly, which is made worse by the fact that Mongolia is an import economy.
One of my favorite parts about living in Mongolia is the local marketplaces (zakh, or hudaldaani tuv). Places like Narantuul get a lot of publicity for being a “black” market, and not without reason. More common, however, are people setting up stalls in the marketplace to sell their wares—Fruits, vegetables, meat (lots of that here), cigarettes, clothes, furs, toiletries, just about anything. These options are usually cheaper, if less predictable, than corporate chains like Emart or Nomin. I can’t get enough of the quaint, old-school, organic vibe of wandering through the marketplace, enquiring about prices, and chatting with vendors. Plus, if you buy consistently from a vendor you like and trust, they might offer you a small discount or throw in an extra goodie with your order if they’re feeling charitable. Almost feels like playing an Elder Scrolls game at times.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
There are simply too many to name—What a hell of a place Mongolia is, and hell of a people to boot.
The natural beauty here defies description, and I’ve had the privilege of enjoying that with both Volunteers and Mongolians. One highlight is when I visited Lake Khuvsgul with other PCVs, and by a stroke of luck we caught the sunrise over the lake on the summer solstice. Another is when I was camping out in Uvs with a couple friends, and ended up being the temporary neighbors of nomadic herders who make their living out there. In an overwhelming display of kindness, they treated us to boodog—Goat cooked from the inside out with hot stones. It was a team effort, too—I gathered firewood and stones, while my friends helped butcher the freshly slaughtered goat (not a sight for the squeamish). We feasted around the campfire, traded stories and jokes, and exchanged small gifts. You can’t make this stuff up.
People here exude an indomitable will to survive, borne from Mongolia’s utterly unforgiving environment. But moreover, I’m continually floored by how Mongolians have looked out for me. This has taken many forms, whether it’s a counterpart going to bat for me with school administrators, or strangers helping me out of situations with the occasional violent drunk. Trust is paramount here. Foster relationships with the right people, and they will repay in spades.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Mongolia?
One phenomenon here—And I’d be curious if other Education PCVs around the world have experienced something similar—Is that some students here demonstrate higher proficiency in English than their teachers. This makes sense, given that a lot of teachers here learned in an old-school, bookish classroom environment, whereas students here grow up on Cartoon Network, YouTube, or TikTok. This can make an odd classroom dynamic, on top of having simply incredible students.
Some people are put off by the meat products here because of their gaminess. But me? I love it. Can’t get enough of it. It took some getting used to, but I’ve really come to appreciate the Mongolian palate. Never thought I’d enjoy horsemeat tsuivan, with some suuteitsai (milk tea) on the side. Yum.
6. What challenges have you faced in your Education work, and how did you respond?
Schools in Ulaanbaatar are overcrowded. Expect to teach around 50 students in each class. This creates a myriad of problems, including a lack of space for club activities. This issue is only further compounded by convoluted, even disorganized planning by administration. One result is a teacher storming into a classroom that Student Council and I had formally requisitioned for club activities, demanding us all to leave so her students can prepare for final exams.
I overcame difficulties like these in a few ways—First, create a paper trail. Have permission or requisition forms with signatures from higher-ups within immediate reach. I’ve repeatedly had to shove documents in teachers’ faces and show them the signatures of the social worker, training manager, and principal that permit us to use a classroom space for club activities, and even then some teachers just won’t go quietly.
Second, tell your supervisor and a few counterparts about your upcoming activity. The written word doesn’t always hold a lot of weight here, whereas word-of-mouth is everything. Keeping your supervisor and some counterparts in the loop can be helpful for when difficulties happen, and you need someone to go to bat for you.
Third, and most importantly, there is no point in planning to avoid difficulty. Rather, one should plan for when difficulties inevitably occur. This attitude has saved me a lot of strain when encountering problems related to island (rather, steppe) time, willy-nilly planning processes, or just sheer absurdity. One might even learn to enjoy it.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
If anything, PCVs here take a lot of pride in the “Community Development” side of things here, and that’s where secondary projects come in. If anything, I’ve grown the most from my secondary projects, whether professionally or personally. These secondary projects are usually divided between school and broader community projects.
To name a couple of my school community projects, I did skill-building workshops with Student Council and Student Patrol. Those organizations were just getting started or trying to improve, so some students and I shared know-how in organizational management, record-keeping, grant applications, and how to lead a group of people. Those students were incredible to work with. I also helped my school set up a students’ service-learning project with the local Red Cross chapter. For this one, I got pretty lucky—I’d had several conversations with the Red Cross director, and later found out that my school had considered doing a similar project before COVID that ultimately fell through. I was happy to serve as a catalyst for renewed dialogue between my school and Red Cross, and of course see students earn credit for volunteer service hours.
On the broader community side of things, I worked with my NGO to implement a Professional English program from August-October 2025. The NGO is focused on youth employability and skill-building, so I put together a two-month project to help students learn how to read job descriptions, write resumes and cover letters, and ace an interview. Young people here are eager to assess their options for studying or working abroad in an increasingly competitive environment, so this workshop felt relevant to them. I also helped another PCV on an urban gardening project with GerHub, which was a neat way to keep myself occupied during summer 2024.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future Education volunteers in Mongolia?
Do not underestimate how supportive Peace Corps Volunteers can be, and how important it is to maintain friendships with them. This can take many forms, whether reaching out to the Peer Support Network (PSN), roping in a PCV for a project, or even just going out to dinner together sometimes. Service can get lonely—Do not suffer in silence, for any reason.
Watch your alcohol intake in Mongolia, because you will see it everywhere—Although it’s illegal, some teachers will drink in the office, whether for celebrating an occasion or just maintaining a habit.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
Language and Cultural Facilitators (LCFs—In other words, language teachers) simply do not get enough appreciation for what they do. Pre-Service Training (PST) language training is by far the most important part of preparing for Peace Corps service. Mongolia’s PST and language training are rigorous for a reason—The better you learn the language (or at least try), and the more you express curiosity about the local culture, the better experience you will have.
Other training events such as IST (In-Service Training), PDM (Project Design, and Management conference), and MST (Mid-Service Training) are also important. Ultimately, however, your willingness to learn the local language is a foundation for success in all things. Practice the language, talk with locals, engage with the culture, and ask for help when needed, and you will go far.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
If you’re fond of hiking and backpacking, Mongolia is one of the finest places to do it. That said, I would strongly recommend bringing your own 1 or 2-person tent instead of trying to get one here. I was initially surprised when I found that outdoor shops in Mongolia cater more towards the glamping crowd, similar to Japan or South Korea. Then again, some people here rough it in the outback to make their living as herders, and that lifestyle is unquestionably hard. In Mongolians’ minds, why do that as a hobby?
Read up on how to layer properly, and pack accordingly. Invest in some base layers (ideally wool), a good fleece, and a puffer jacket, and your life will be more comfortable. While these items are available in Mongolia, the overall quality can be found wanting. And remember, cotton kills.
A sturdy pair of hiking boots will suffice for winter (and your many hikes!), but you may need to double-layer socks depending on how cold it gets. When Mongolia is at its coldest, the concrete will suck the heat right out of your body, making it a true silent killer.
Got a camera? Bring it.
11. How has language learning been for you in Mongolia?
Given my Advanced High proficiency, it’s gone quite well, I’d say!
Oddly enough, I’ve found that Mongolian grammar is almost identical to Japanese. This was advantageous for me as a Japanese speaker, whereas PCVs who have exclusively learned Romance languages may struggle more.
That aside, Mongolian is not an easy language, and there are many things that were helpful in my language acquisition. First, it helped to learn the Cyrillic script and some survival phrases before I touched down in Mongolia. Peace Corps will provide a few resources for this, but even practicing the Cyrillic alphabet and putting together some flashcards will help immensely.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, I sought out opportunities to practice my language skills even if I made (many) mistakes. Early on, I joined a Mongolian hiking group, and this was a game-changer. Not only was it a perfect chance to practice my language skills while enjoying a favorite hobby, but it also acquainted me with the lay of the land. Bogd Khan Uul, a mountain situated immediately south of Ulaanbaatar, became my backyard. Ah, I’ll miss it dearly.
Social Identity
12. How has your personal identity shaped your service experience?
I am a Caucasian, agnostic, tall, heterosexual, early-30s male. Quite frankly, my identity didn’t affect my service experience beyond occasionally being the “token foreigner” in the room. This can attract attention, warranted or otherwise.
Religion here isn’t an issue like in some other countries; most people here are non-religious or casual Buddhists. PCVs who identify as LGBTQ+ may need to tread more carefully, because attitudes here can vary widely from supportive to vitriolic. Age may work to your advantage, given the cultural norms here; I have heard from PCVs in their 50s or 60s that some counterparts treat them with an extra degree of respect.
Alcohol is omnipresent here, and no matter your personal identity, you will be pressured to drink. This issue can be accentuated if you are a man—In other words, some Mongolians might accuse you of being “unmanly” if you refuse to drink. Don’t rise to the bait.
13. Did your identity lead to specific challenges or situations?
Being a “token foreigner” male, I stick out like a sore thumb here. That can make you a target of sorts. Whether an overly-friendly stranger wants to rope you in for promoting an organization, product, or idea (don’t do this), or people pester you to teach them English one-on-one (don’t do this either), or if an angry drunk decides he wants to scrap with the one guy who sticks out most at the bar (definitely don’t do this).
Luckily, Mongolia is a relatively safe country, and these situations are easily handled by keeping the right company and practicing good judgment. Trust in those close to you, be cautious about strangers who are a little too friendly towards you, and disengage rather than escalate. Plus, counterparts, Peace Corps staff, Peer Support Network, and even some Mongolian bystanders have a good track record for providing necessary support when things get hairy. Besides the occasional intrusive stranger, the biggest safety concern in Mongolia is the weather.
14. What advice do you have for volunteers who share your identity?
It’s pretty straightforward—Find people you can trust and stick with them, watch your pockets and personal items in crowded spaces, stay away from protests, look out for your friends, and keep your wits about you. People will sometimes accost, catcall, or give you trouble through no fault of your own; don’t engage, move along, and call in support when necessary. And if you use Facebook, you will be bombarded with friend requests—Please don’t blindly accept them.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
15. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
I have an Instagram page— @tomflippin—which largely avoids commentary and personal cameos. That said, it’s been my distinct honor to capture and share some of the truly spellbinding landscapes here. Outside of service, this beautiful land has motivated me to improve my game when it comes to photography, editing, and outdoor recreation.
16. What final advice or thoughts would you share with future volunteers?
Join the Peace Corps! See the world, meet amazing people, and do cool stuff! It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Thomas, 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 Mongolia Government.
