In this interview, we hear from Cole Christian. Cole is a Peace Corps volunteer working as a Education volunteer in the Dominican Republic. What Cole 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. Cole talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Cole’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
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Tell us about serving as an Education volunteer in Dominican Republic?
Working in the Education sector, serving as a Spanish Literacy Promoter for primary school students. I am typically at the school teaching from 8 am to 3 pm. I am in the South of the Dominican Republic at a school of about 600 students. I work with groups of 3-5 students for an hour at a time and occasionally teach a whole class of about 30 students. In the small groups, we read books, sing songs, and play literacy games. During the summer break, I offered a literacy summer camp for 2 hours a day with 10 students. I eat rice and beans every day, spend a lot of time with my host family, go to Church, and walk a lot.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose the Dominican Republic?
In high school, I participated in a Peace-Corps-like experience, where I lived in rural Paraguay for two months. There, I met a Peace Corps volunteer who inspired me while sharing about his work. I also learned Spanish from a young age and love to use the language and communicate with others. In college, I wanted to study abroad, but due to the pandemic, I didn’t get the experience I was looking for. For all those reasons, I chose to join the Peace Corps. Specifically, the Dominican Republic interested me because of the language and culture. It’s a lively and beautiful island country in the Caribbean with good music and lots of fruit.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation:
For the first five months of my service, I lived with my host family in a traditional Dominican home with a zinc roof. Currently, I live in an apartment on my own. My town is very far from the capital but is relatively large and more urban. I have running water, a new kitchen, plenty of space, and, since I am on the third floor, a nice balcony. There is a wide variety of housing based on each community and I consider my living situation a bit more luxurious than the average volunteer serving in the country. I am grateful to be in a comfortable and safe apartment.
When it comes to food, while school is in session, I gladly eat the school lunch. I do frequently cook for myself, and I am lucky to have a market at my site every Wednesday and Sunday. I also have a gym a 20-minute walk from me and can go on runs every so often.
Something that surprised me about the Peace Corps was how completely different life would be.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had with community members?
My most memorable experiences with community members have been with my host family. The night I arrived; I was immediately taken in as their own. My host mom, who goes by Mama, is so generous and loving. When I got sick, she rubbed Vick VapoRub on my feet and made me special teas. When I told my host sister that my brain was tired of Spanish, she switched to speaking what she knew of English with me. My host aunt joked with me and my host uncle danced with me. They have been my strongest connection to my community and always the first stop I make when I have been out of town.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about the Dominican Republic?
Something that surprised me about the Peace Corps was how completely different life would be. It seems obvious, that language and culture will change, but the smallest details, the way I express myself, the clothes I wear, it is all different. That is how I feel about the education system as well. Large things like the structure and organization of the school are different. And small things, like discipline and how literacy is taught are also handled differently. Frequently, kids are told they don’t know how to read, which has encouraged me to lead with positive reinforcement.
One of my favorite differences is that every day the whole school is served a free lunch generally consisting of rice, beans, and meat. Teachers who have been eating this school lunch for years, don’t seem to appreciate it quite as much as me. I also like that once a month, they have a pedagogy group, where students stay home, and all teachers come to school for additional training.
6. What challenges did you face while working on projects?
A difference I have encountered between me and my counterpart is how we view work timelines. I have had to adopt her mentality that things will get done when they get done rather than trying to force an impossibly quick schedule. For example, we had been working on a reading promoters project when the school shut down for three weeks for structural reparations. I took this as a delay in our work, but she assured me everything would work in God’s time, and we ended up completing our work. Frequently, we will decide to have meetings or do activities the day of, when I am used to a bit more advanced planning. This work style has made me more flexible and able to think on my toes.
7. What secondary projects you have been involved in?
I started an English class for adults after school for an hour twice a week. My school was very open to allowing me a classroom and my two sitemates helped run the class. Since I spend my day with children, this was a nice way to connect with adults in the community and share an ability I have with a desire they had expressed. The class started with 30+ students and ended with a group of eight who were the most dedicated. When attendance started to diminish it was discouraging, but the students who stayed made my efforts worthwhile.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Education volunteer in the Dominican Republic?
Eighteen months into service, I love my job! Initially, I found it much more challenging because while in Community Based Training I was working and learning while simultaneously adjusting to cultural factors and dealing with language barriers. Now, I’m comfortable in my community and more confident in my language abilities. That said, I recommend pushing through the difficulties because for me service has become more enjoyable the more time I spend here.
Additionally, I think it is extremely helpful if you have teaching experience or enjoy being around children. A huge portion of your time in this role will be spent at an elementary school. I had never taught but had been a camp counselor for 2 years which prepared me (only slightly) for the energy and creativity of Dominican youth.
9. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a Education volunteer?
Patience and purpose. Both traits that I believe ebb and flow. I don’t know if I started service with these traits, but I have developed them with time. I did not have teaching experience before my work here and I have since realized how much kids test my character and teach me. They invent new things every day. However, helping kids with the process of learning to read has been so rewarding and encourages me every day to start fresh and do my best. It is a beautiful thing to witness a child read for the first time. Behavior management issues can really challenge me, which is why it is useful for me to remember my purpose of being here.
10. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Community-based training, the first three months upon arriving in the country, is extremely useful in learning about your role as a Peace Corps volunteer. I learned so much about the functions of the educational system in this country as well as the different approaches to teaching literacy. There is always more to learn once in the community, but I found the knowledge very valuable and was glad I took notes. Other trainings, such as IST, serve as less detailed refreshers and good social time with fellow volunteers.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
11. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future volunteers?
Best things I’ve packed: a large quick dry towel, a journal, a good water bottle, a headlamp, pictures and letters from loved ones, gifts for my host family (soaps and hand towels)
Worst things I packed: long work dresses (skinny jeans are mostly what is worn to work), sweat pants (way too hot here)
Things I wish I packed: a portable charger for when the power goes out, more of my favorite beauty products (I had a friend send me press-on nails and facemasks), more books (I am not a Kindle person)
12. How has learning the language been?
I came in confident with my language skills and, according to the Peace Corps, tested at an intermediate level. The Dominican accent is much different than anything I learned in school, but it has been a highlight of mine to learn the language and slang. Practicing the language before arriving in the country is definitely very useful. Speaking Spanish is a huge part of my everyday life and the more progress I’ve made, the easier it has been for me to do my job and connect with community members.
Final Thoughts
13. Any last words to pass on to future volunteers in the Dominican Republic?
Be open to whatever this experience brings you. It is very challenging, but you are capable. I love this country, the people are generally so welcoming and also hilarious. Even the bus (Guagua) rides from my site to the capital somehow always leave me laughing.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Cole’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 Dominican Republic Government.
