In this interview, we hear from Rafel Campoamor. Rafel is a working as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Mongolia. What Rafel 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. Rafel talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Rafel’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
- Language Learning
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as an Education volunteer in Mongolia?
Erdmin Undra High School
I serve as an Education volunteer at Erdmiin Undra High School #77 in Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar. My primary role is to support English language instruction alongside Mongolian English teachers. This includes co-planning and co-teaching lessons, offering training on communicative language teaching strategies, and designing creative student-centered activities.
Life Skills English Club
In addition to classroom teaching, I facilitate an English Club with 10th-grade students. We use the Peace Corps–developed life skills books as a foundation for discussions and activities. It’s a meaningful way to help students build both their English proficiency and their confidence in navigating real-life situations.
University of the Humanities
I also teach a weekly academic writing course at the University of the Humanities. That setting provides a very different context and audience — often older students or young professionals — which has helped broaden my understanding of education needs across age groups in Mongolia.
Internet Society (ISOC)
Outside of formal education, I’m focused on a major community development initiative: helping to establish the Mongolian chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC). The goal is to promote digital literacy, internet access, and civic engagement. This work brings me into contact with a wide range of local stakeholders, including NGOs, schools, universities, and ministries.
A typical day might involve co-teaching a class or two, working on lesson materials with a counterpart, and holding meetings or workshops for the ISOC project. I also run extracurricular clubs like an IT club and an English-speaking club, which provide students with informal, fun ways to build skills and confidence.
Living and working in a multilingual, multicultural urban environment like Ulaanbaatar presents its challenges, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and a powerful opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Mongolia?
When I applied to the Peace Corps, I didn’t request a specific country. I wanted to serve where my skills were most needed — and Mongolia chose me. I believe the placement team recognized that my background in language learning and IT could be especially valuable in this context. And they were absolutely right. Mongolia has proven to be the perfect fit — a place where I can both share what I know and continue to learn in return.
Serving in the Peace Corps is, for me, a true accomplishment — a kind of spiritual and personal milestone — after a life shaped by multiple migrations and existential experiences across the globe. From my childhood in the Caribbean Sea to my university years in the former USSR, to 25 years living and working in Paris, France, and finally becoming an American citizen after age 50 — Peace Corps service is what we might call la cerise sur le gâteau in French: the cherry on top. It brings together my values, skills, and life story into one meaningful mission.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
I spent my Pre-Service Training (PST) in Darkhan with a wonderful host family of six. Zoya and Amara, the parents, are young IT professionals — so we had a lot to talk about from the start. Their children — Shuuder, Tsaasa, Degüüi, and their little brother Shaurkhan, affectionately called “Pambaga” — quickly made me feel like part of the family. They were warm, curious, and always full of energy. Living with them helped me learn about daily life in Mongolia and adapt to the rhythm of the culture.
My permanent site is in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, where I serve at a high school in Bayangol District. I live on the 8th floor of a Soviet-style apartment building. It’s quite different from the rustic image many people have of Peace Corps Mongolia — I have central heating, hot water, Wi-Fi, an elevator, and all the comforts of a Western lifestyle. There are plenty of grocery stores and supermarkets nearby, which makes everyday life very convenient.
Air quality in UB, especially during the winter, is one of the main challenges — but when the weather is good, I exercise outside or even on my balcony. The image of Peace Corps Volunteers living in gers, far from modern infrastructure, is less common these days — at least for those of us serving in urban areas like Ulaanbaatar.
I love to cook, so I usually prepare my own meals at home. I also occasionally eat at the school cafeteria, where I’ve developed a taste for Mongolian comfort food. I especially enjoy their soups, tsuivan (stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables), and toms juchmal, which is somewhat similar to shepherd’s pie or hachis parmentier in French cuisine. On lighter days, I just have some salty milk tea with a couple of piroshki or buuz — simple but satisfying.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
There have already been many moments that feel deeply meaningful in my Peace Corps journey here in Mongolia.
Memories of Summer Camp
One of the earliest was during PST when we spent a couple of weeks volunteering at a summer camp near Erdenet, in the north of the country. That experience struck a special chord with me because, as a child, I attended a summer camp in Crimea near Yalta. Being in a Mongolian summer camp over 50 years later — in a different country, culture, and language — brought a powerful sense of continuity and reflection. It was like life had brought me full circle.
Celebrating Naadam and Tsagaan Sar — two of Mongolia’s most important holidays — has also been deeply enriching. I first experienced these holidays with my host family in Darkhan, and later with colleagues and counterpart families in Ulaanbaatar. These were not just cultural observances; they were full immersions into the traditions, hospitality, and values of the Mongolian people. From wearing traditional deel to exchanging khadag and tasting buuz and tsagaan idee, I felt truly welcomed into a way of life that is very different from my own Afro-Latino background — and yet remarkably warm and familiar in its humanity.
Latin Dance Community in UB
One of the most surprising and delightful discoveries I’ve made in UB is the presence of a vibrant Latin dance community. Social Dance Mongolia (САЛСА ГЭР БҮЛ) | Facebook
There’s a group of Mongolians who dance salsa, bachata, and kizomba nearly every day in different venues across the city. As someone who loves to dance, finding this community in a place so geographically and culturally distant from Latin America was like discovering a second home. It’s especially heartwarming to see Mongolians dancing to our music with passion and grace, even when they may not understand a single word of the lyrics. Mongolians love to dance — though traditionally they tend to focus on choreographed solo dances. In contrast, Latin dances are typically improvised in couples, driven by connection and spontaneity. Sharing those moments on the dance floor with them has been one of the most joyful forms of cultural exchange in my service.
These experiences — from summer camps to holiday celebrations to salsa nights — have reminded me that even in the most unfamiliar settings, connection is always possible.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about challenges in Mongolia?
Educational Environment
One of the first things that surprised me was how competitive the educational environment is in Mongolia. Students are under a lot of pressure to succeed academically, often attending multiple extra classes outside of school. There’s a strong cultural emphasis on exams and test results, and as a teacher from a more collaborative, student-centered background, I’ve had to find ways to adapt while also gently introducing alternative methods that promote curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
Integration as a Western Black Person
Another challenge — and one I anticipated to some extent — is integration, especially as a Western Black person. Mongolia is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, with perhaps the smallest Black population after the Vatican. While I’ve been warmly received by many, my presence naturally draws attention, and it can be exhausting to always be so visible. It’s an ongoing process of building trust and connection, and I’ve learned to embrace both curiosity and occasional awkwardness with grace and patience.
Hearty Food and Loves to Cook
The food hasn’t been a major challenge, especially since I love to cook. I prepare most of my own meals, and when I eat out or at school, I genuinely enjoy Mongolian dishes like tsuivan and toms juchmal. It’s hearty food, and I’ve come to appreciate its simplicity and cultural significance.
Winter Weather and Language
The winter weather and the language are certainly challenging, but not insurmountable. From day one, I made sure to get proper winter gear — warm boots, gloves, and thermal layers to wear under my deel — and that’s made a big difference. I’ve also hired a Mongolian tutor to help me continue learning the language and culture beyond what Peace Corps provides. It’s an investment in my ability to communicate, integrate, and show respect to the people around me.
All in all, the challenges here are real — but they are also manageable with the right mindset and support.
6. What challenges did you face while working on Education projects?
One of the biggest ongoing challenges I’ve faced has been related to time management — or more specifically, differing cultural perceptions of time and planning.
In my experience, there’s a very flexible and fluid approach to scheduling here in Mongolia. The concept of “what needs to be done now” versus “what can wait until later” often doesn’t align with the structured, anticipatory planning I was used to in my previous professional life. Events, meetings, and even classes can sometimes be announced on the same day — or with very short notice — which can be frustrating, especially when preparation is key to success.
To help bridge that gap, I introduced a shared Google Calendar with all my counterparts. We use it to schedule our activities, including co-planning and co-teaching sessions, club meetings, special events, holidays, and school celebrations. It’s been a helpful tool — not just for me, but also for encouraging more collaborative and intentional planning among the team.
That said, even with everything on the calendar, last-minute changes are still common. I’m often informed of something important happening today… or tomorrow. That can be difficult when it leaves little or no time to prepare properly. I’ve learned to be more flexible, to expect the unexpected, and to adapt quickly — but I also continue advocating for better communication and realistic timelines, especially when it involves shared responsibilities.
This experience has taught me not just patience, but also humility — and the importance of meeting people where they are, while gently modeling other ways of working that might support shared goals more effectively.
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
My main secondary project — and one I’m deeply passionate about — is the founding of the Internet Society (ISOC) Mongolia Chapter. It’s a challenging yet incredibly rewarding endeavor that engages stakeholders at every level: from my school and district in Ulaanbaatar to provincial leaders, national education institutions, civil society organizations, and key figures in the country’s internet and IT ecosystem.
Establishing an ISOC chapter is a powerful example of community development in action. The goal is to promote digital literacy, expand internet access, and raise awareness about issues such as cybersecurity, internet governance, and civic engagement through technology. We’re bringing together people from very different backgrounds — educators, activists, technologists, government staff — and working to build a shared vision for closing the digital divide in Mongolia.
One of the most enriching aspects of this project has been navigating the coordination of all these actors. It’s complex, often slow-moving, and full of cultural and logistical challenges — but for me, that’s what makes it so captivating and instructive. It’s a real-world exercise in diplomacy, collaboration, and long-term impact.
At the moment, we’re finalizing our application and bylaws to obtain official recognition as a “chapter-in-formation” with the global Internet Society. Once that status is granted, we’ll have the opportunity to connect with and learn from other chapters throughout the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world. It’s an exciting step toward creating sustainable digital development initiatives for Mongolia.
This project combines my professional background in IT with my Peace Corps mission, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be working on something that has the potential to impact lives far beyond the classroom.
Language Learning
8. How has learning the language been?
I am learning Mongolian.
I think, as soon as you get your clearance you can start to get familiar with the language.
In my case, I got my medical clearance a month before staging in SF and the legal one a week before staging. I decided to start just after medical and it was a smart move.
Final Thoughts
They can contact me for more personal answers:
Rafel’s story shows what it means to be a volunteer in Mongolia. His work in education, his efforts to build community, and his personal growth all reflect the heart of Peace Corps service. From teaching in classrooms to launching digital literacy projects, Rafel brings his skills and curiosity to everything he does. His experiences remind us that service is both about giving and about learning — about building connections across cultures and discovering new parts of ourselves along the way.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Rafel’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 Mongolia Government.
