In this interview, you’ll hear from Matt Schultz, a Peace Corps Community Economic Development (CED) volunteer in Georgia. Matt 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 CED volunteer in Georgia?
Finding My Own Projects
I love the unstructured nature of my role as a CED volunteer in Georgia. When I first arrived at site, my biggest challenge was identifying a project to work on. My counterparts told me the desired results, but it was my job to figure out how to achieve them. Creativity has been a key aspect of my work here.
My host organizations are a local radio station and a community center.
Building a Tourism Program for the Radio Station
At the radio station, my objective was clear from the beginning: bring in money.
Previously funded by donors like Deutsche Welle, the BBC World Service, NED, USAID, and more, the radio has been in financial crisis since late 2024, when the Georgian government passed laws restricting grants.
My most successful project with the radio station is a tourism initiative. There was almost no tourism at my site previously, but it’s less than an hour’s drive from Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, and journalists are skilled storytellers, making them excellent guides.
We hosted our first guest (my college roommate visiting me in Georgia) in January, and since then we’ve hosted nearly 100 guests—including journalists, professors, ambassadors, etc.—and raised nearly $5,000.
Teaching Entrepreneurship Through Tutoring
At the community center, one of my favorite projects is our Language Teaching Internship Program. I live in an ethnic minority region, so kids whose first language is not Georgian often receive after-school tutoring to learn the language. After-school tutoring in English is also popular, and many local teenagers achieve near-native proficiency in English by the time they are 15 or 16.
Our internship program teaches them not only to tutor young kids in Georgian and English, but also to set up their own tutoring business, marketing their services on social media, handing out brochures, and calling parents. When it comes to lesson planning, they receive one-on-one mentorship from our center’s professional teachers.
This program gives young people practical experience in entrepreneurship. It would be amazing if one of our interns sticks with it and builds their own business, but just the experience of trying to start a business so early in life is valuable.
We open the program to new tutors at the beginning of each semester. Thus far, we’ve trained 13 young people.
A Workday Without a Typical Schedule
Overall, these projects don’t fit neatly into a 9-5 schedule. Most days, I’m running around town between the two offices, coordinating between people on the phone, switching between Georgian, Azerbaijani, English, and sometimes Russian, and jotting down ideas in my notes app to improve our current projects and launch new ones.
I wouldn’t have it any other way!
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Georgia?
Growing Up With a Peace Corps Connection
I have an RPCV cousin, Sara Beth, who is like an older sister to me. She served in Togo, and growing up, I loved hearing stories about her experiences as a volunteer.
Then in university, I fell in love with language learning, and Peace Corps was on my radar as an opportunity to truly immerse myself in another language and culture. At the time, I was still intimidated by the 2-year commitment, but I kept Peace Corps in the back of my mind.
Falling in Love With Georgia
Then in 2024, I came to Georgia for the first time to volunteer as a Trail Builder on the Transcaucasian Trail. I absolutely fell in love with the country. Suddenly the 2-year commitment wasn’t scary at all.
I met one of the co-founders of Transcaucasian Trail, Paul Stephens, who told me about how he first came to Georgia as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Finding the Right Peace Corps Position
I checked the vacancies, and when I read the CED posting for Georgia, I remember thinking I’d never read a job description that fit my experience and goals so well.
I applied on the plane ride back to the US.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Georgia?
I live with a host family: mom, dad, grandma, and three kids, ages 14, 7, and 2.
My city’s population is around 30,000, which sounds small, but is relatively urban for Georgia.
I live in an ethnic minority region, and roughly 85% of the population is Azerbaijani. In undergrad, I studied in Azerbaijan with the Critical Language Scholarship, so I had some background in the language and culture coming in.
This region is quite different from the rest of Georgia, and I love this about my experience. I feel I’ve both gotten to learn about the broader South Caucasus region through building relationships with Georgia’s Azerbaijani and Armenian minority communities. At the same time, these communities are distinct from their titular nations, so my experience has also been hyper-local.
There is nowhere in the world quite like Marneuli.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
Celebrating My First Birthday in Georgia
One moment that stood out was my first birthday in Georgia.
My birthday is around Christmas time, so in the U.S., I tended to keep the celebration pretty small: going out to dinner with my parents and brother or a few close friends. In Georgia, after attending my colleague’s birthday party, I knew I wanted to do the whole big feast as well.
I invited all my colleagues and friends from Marneuli. Georgians have a nice tradition where guests give some cash as a gift, which helps cover the costs of the party and allows for big celebrations. Since I work with two separate organizations, this was a rare occasion that all of my colleagues were together. I’m happiest when I’m connecting people, so seeing them laugh and have a good time with one another was really special.
A Feast, Dancing, and Plenty of Laughs
We had a delicious feast, watched a performance by professional Georgian dancers, and then got to show off our own moves on the dance floor (not quite as impressive, but lots of laughs).
A Georgian Toast to Friendship
Another wonderful Georgian tradition, toasting, brought tears to my eyes. Our radio station’s accountant was our “tamada,” or toast leader, for the night. Around the table, each one of my colleagues said a toast for me. It was really special to hear their kind words and be celebrated in such a Georgian way.
The neighboring table even dedicated a toast to me, initially in Russian because they could tell I was a foreigner. When I responded in Georgian, they were quite surprised and even cheered.
A Gift I’ll Always Treasure
At the end of the night, my colleagues gifted me a Georgian khanjali, a large ceremonial dagger with deep cultural significance. They had gotten it custom-made by a Georgian artisan, and they were quick to reassure me it came with special documents that would allow me to bring it on the plane back to the U.S.
I joked that I wouldn’t need the documents because I’m never leaving Georgia!
Wherever I am in the world, this khanjali will always carry the memories of this special night and the beautiful bonds of friendship I’ve made as a Peace Corps volunteer. It will remain one of my most prized possessions.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Georgia?
For such a small country in terms of territory and population, Georgia has continued to surprise me with its expansive history.
In every nook and cranny of the country, you can find amazing history, like the archaeological sites of the oldest evidence of winemaking (confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records), the first Europeans, Zezva and Mzia, monasteries dating back to the 5th century, and evidence of the many empires that made their way through the Caucasus.
This history is alive too. Georgians make wine in kvevris similar to what was used 8,000 years ago. Traditional Georgian dance is one of the most popular activities for young people. Traditions hundreds of years old are part of daily life.
Georgia is also home to many national minority groups (13% of the total population), so it’s been fascinating to learn not only about Georgian culture and history, but also about the cultures and histories of Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Abkhaz, Ossetians, Kists, and more.
The more I learn about Georgia, the more I realize how much there is to explore. This is truly an incredible place.
6. What challenges have you faced in your CED work, and how did you respond?
The biggest challenge has been the lack of financial resources for projects and the uncertainty about the future this situation creates.
In the past, a major component of the CED role in Georgia was volunteers helping their host organizations apply for grants from various embassies and international donors. Due to changes in Georgian law in 2024, as well as in the global foreign aid / international development landscape, there are far fewer grant opportunities available to Georgian CED host organizations.
In response, my projects have focused on establishing social enterprises that will help my organizations become financially self-sustainable. In the long run, this will make the organizations stronger, but in the short term, the inability to pay salaries means my colleagues have to find other work in addition to the many responsibilities they already have.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
The Transcaucasian Trail
My secondary project has been working with the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT) (). The TCT is a long-distance hiking trail project that began in 2016.
When complete, it will feature two 1,500 km trails spanning three countries. The north-south trail, which many people are already thru-hiking, spans from the city of Meghri on Armenia’s southern border with Iran all the way to some of the tallest peaks in Europe in Svaneti, Georgia. The east-west route stretches from the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan to the Black Sea in Georgia.
Continuing a Connection to the TCT
It was co-founded by Paul Stephens, a former Peace Corps Georgia volunteer, and it’s what first brought me to Georgia, so it feels special to carry on the work.
Introducing Georgian Youth to Hiking
With TCT, I recently began a series of “Intro to Hiking” youth training sessions. My fellow Peace Corps Georgia volunteers help me organize these sessions around the country at their schools and community organizations.
During the training, we share the benefits of hiking with teenagers and teach them essential hiking safety. Kids love learning about the equipment, and we even cook them ramen noodles using a camping stove.
After the training, we take the kids hiking nearby. For many young Georgians, it’s their very first hike.
Building Interest in Hiking and Ecotourism
Hikers from around the world come to Georgia for its stunning mountains. We hope these trainings will encourage Georgians to enjoy their trails as well, foster environmental stewardship, and create professional opportunities in ecotourism.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future CED volunteers in Georgia?
My two pieces of advice to future CED volunteers in Georgia are:
1. Network
Georgia is a small country, and people know each other, especially in the NGO sector. Plug into this network and learn about what people are working on and where there may be opportunities for collaboration with your host organization.
2. Try and Fail
You will organize a youth training, and no one will show up. You will spend hours on a grant proposal that won’t be selected. You will try to launch a social enterprise and end up making no profit.
It’s okay.
Keep trying, and keep learning from the things that didn’t go as planned. Eventually, one of your projects will be a huge success.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
Peace Corps Pre-Service Training (PST) prepared me for service through excellent language training, familiarizing me with the broad goals of Peace Corps Georgia’s Individual and Organizational Development (IOD), and facilitating job shadowing with volunteers from the previous year’s cohort.
The biggest challenge of CED training is that the work varies a lot based on the needs of different host organizations. At times, sessions could feel more theoretical than practical, but the activities that were hands-on – like designing and leading a training with local kids – were very useful.
After PST, In-Service Training (IST) and Mid-Service Training (MST) were useful check-ins with PC staff and fellow volunteers.
Our Technical IST was especially beneficial because our Georgian colleagues also attended, and they came away with a clearer understanding of Peace Corps’ goals and resources. Having everyone together was a great opportunity for knowledge sharing and an exciting motivation boost. At the training, my counterparts and I applied for a small grant, which we ended up winning, and delivered a series of media literacy trainings. We also used the Peace Corps’ business development resources reviewed during IST to start a business selling souvenir tea boxes.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
Packing for the next two years of your life is a funny thing.
Mine may be specific to my hobbies and the beautiful Caucasus Mountains here in Georgia, but if I could go back in time, I would have made a few more trips to REI back in the U.S. before the Peace Corps.
Specific things like hiking gear can be hard to find or expensive in Georgia, but for the most part, I can find everything I need here.
The easiest approach is to adapt to whatever is available locally, but volunteers can sometimes rely on each other to bring small things back from their trips to the U.S.
My advice would be to definitely use your full baggage allowance so you don’t have to spend money buying things you already have, but beyond that, don’t stress too much. If you didn’t bring it and can’t find it in the country, chances are you can live without it.
11. How has language learning been for you in Georgia?
Language learning has been absolutely central to my experience in Georgia.
Before arriving as a Peace Corps Trainee, I had visited Georgia once before and learned the alphabet and some everyday phrases, but I was essentially starting fresh when PST began.
I would advise future volunteers in Georgia not to stress about studying the language before arriving. Peace Corps Georgian language training starts with the alphabet, so if you’ve already mastered it before arriving in the country, it could be a bit boring to sit through review lessons. Instead, I recommend spending those few months before PST with your family and friends. You’ll miss them a lot!
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
12. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
Starting to Share My Peace Corps Experience
I began posting about my Peace Corps experience on LinkedIn in March of this year—encouraged by Jim at WanderingTheWorld.com!
At the time, I was helping my Georgian colleagues set up LinkedIn accounts as a Peace Corps CED professional development training, and I figured, as the trainer, I should practice what I preach.
Using LinkedIn to Support My Georgian Colleagues
My colleagues are journalists, and they constantly share their thoughts in Georgian on Facebook. By posting on LinkedIn, our aim was to connect them with international organizations that support journalists as well as get in touch with universities that could host our journalists as keynote speakers for webinars (another project to raise money for the Radio).
Finding the Right Platform
I had never been very active on social media before, but posting about my Peace Corps experience on LinkedIn has been the right fit for me.
I wanted to go into greater depth than I felt Instagram allowed. I thought about starting a Substack, but I thought people would be less likely to read my posts if they have to open another site.
Connecting With People Interested in Peace Corps
Since Peace Corps is a 24/7 job, I can relate practically all my experiences back to my job as a Peace Corps volunteer, making it at least a bit relevant for LinkedIn. My content isn’t always what you might expect on LinkedIn, but I’ve gotten a positive reception, and most importantly, I’ve been able to talk to dozens of people interested in joining Peace Corps.
13. What final advice or thoughts would you share with future volunteers?
I have three pieces of advice for future volunteers:
Go all in on language training at the beginning
Learning a new language is not easy, but the higher the proficiency you achieve, the better you will be able to integrate into your community, and the more opportunities you will unlock.
Once you settle in at site, you won’t have as much time to dedicate to language study, so it’s important to take full advantage of Pre-Service Training (PST).
Don’t get intimidated and tell yourself you can’t learn. Don’t write it off and think you’ll get by with just English. Just try your best each day, and you’ll be amazed how much you can learn.
Talk to everyone.
Once you have those language skills, put them to use!
Your host community will be curious about this new American in town, but people might be nervous to just strike up a conversation with you. Show them you’re friendly!
Chat with shopkeepers, bus drivers, your neighbors, etc. Say yes to invitations. Hang around the break room with your counterparts. The more people you talk to, the more you will learn about your host community, and the more friends you’ll make who can help you with your projects.
This also applies to the global Peace Corps community. Connect with fellow PCVs and RPCVs for advice, mentorship, or simply to grow your network. People will be happy to hear from you!
Treat difficult situations as part of your development
Many volunteers would list personal growth as a reason they joined Peace Corps. Most would agree that personal growth happens when we overcome difficult situations, yet when we find ourselves in those very situations, it’s easy to get frustrated and focus on what is wrong or unfair.
Unless you are truly and immediately in danger, try to look at difficult situations as opportunities to learn and grow. Challenge yourself to stay calm, reflect on why something didn’t go as planned, find alternative solutions, and focus your thinking and energy on positive things.
Peace Corps Volunteers tend to experience this personal growth the easy way or the hard way, so you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Matt, 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 Georgia Government.
