In this interview, you’ll hear from Emir Dini, a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Thailand. Emir 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 Education volunteer in Thailand?
On a typical day, I will create learning materials, draft lesson plans, and organize classroom activities to help students practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. Outside the classroom, I help organize and lead English camps, cultural exchange activities, and community project
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Thailand?
I decided to join the Peace Corps because I wanted to do something meaningful that combined education, cultural exchange, and service. I have always been interested in working with young people and learning from communities different from my own, so the opportunity to serve abroad felt like a natural fit.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Thailand?
I am very fortunate to have a comfortable home in a beautiful rural community surrounded by rice fields. I mostly have reliable access to electricity, water, and cellphone service. My community has also been incredibly supportive. The neighbors regularly help me with transportation, and they are always taking me to nearby historical and cultural sites. I’m often invited to people’s homes for dinner, to attend weddings, or to participate in monk ordination ceremonies.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
Some of the most rewarding moments of my service have been watching my students learn to read. There is something incredibly special about seeing a student recognize a word they once struggled with, read a sentence independently, and realize that they can do it on their own. Those moments may seem small, but they are a powerful reminder of why education matters. Watching a student’s confidence grow alongside their skills has been one of the most rewarding parts of my service.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Thailand?
What has surprised me most is the level of respect, consideration, and kindness that I have experienced from the people around me. There is a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony, treating others with dignity, and being mindful of how your words and actions affect those around you. The concept of kreng jai is something I have come to appreciate deeply because it reflects a genuine consideration for other people’s feelings and circumstances.
Coming from the United States, I have found this cultural approach both fascinating and admirable. I have been especially impressed by the patience, generosity, and willingness of people to make others feel comfortable and respected. It has also changed me personally. I now try to apply those same principles in my own life, and it is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
6. What challenges have you faced in your Education work, and how did you respond?
One of the biggest challenges has been adapting to different levels of English proficiency among my students. In the same classroom, students can have very different learning needs, so I have had to become more flexible in how I teach and find creative ways to keep everyone engaged. I have responded by getting to know my students individually, adjusting lessons when necessary, and using games, visual media, and hands-on activities to make lessons more accessible and equitable. For me, the challenge has ultimately been an opportunity to become a better teacher. It has taught me to be patient, adaptable, and willing to try different approaches until I find what works for my students.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
I have been fortunate to be involved in a number of projects that have brought new resources and experiences to my school. I helped bring additional books to the school library through Darian Books and introduced Rosetta Stone language learning software. My school also received a Peace Corps Partnership Program grant for a Smart TV and an HCC grant for classroom materials.
Other projects I have done include helping to fund raise for student scholarships, starting an anti-bullying initiative, and introducing American football as a fun way for students to experience something new. I also helped establish a cultural exchange partnership with a DOWEA school in Japan, giving my Thai students an opportunity to connect directly with American students their own age and to learn about each other’s cultures.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future Education volunteers in Thailand?
My biggest advice would be to come with an open mind and be willing to learn just as much as you teach. Take the time to get to know your students, your fellow teachers, and your community. Some of the most rewarding parts of my service have come from simply being present, building relationships, and becoming part of everyday community life.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
Training during PST (Pre-Service Training) gave me a really strong foundation for success. We received extensive language and cultural training, and that preparation made the transition into our local communities much easier.
I also have to give credit to the Peace Corps staff, especially the DPT (Director of Programming and Training) and Program Manager, for their kindness and support throughout training and service. They have been welcoming, caring, and genuinely invested in helping me succeed. I always felt comfortable reaching out when I had questions or needed guidance.
Lastly, I think my host family played a vital role in helping me prepare for service. They helped me feel at home from the beginning. Their kindness, patience, and generosity made my adjustment to life here much easier and gave me an early opportunity to experience Thai culture through a family’s eyes. Their support is something I will always appreciate.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
I would recommend bringing plenty of comfortable clothes that you know fit well and can last through your full term of service. I would bring some of your favorite snacks and a few of the foods or condiments you really enjoy. For me, that includes things like Reese’s candy and Tabasco hot sauce. They are small things, but having a few familiar favorites from home is comforting. Beyond that, I would not worry about over-packing. You can find most everyday necessities here, so there is no need to bring everything with you.
11. How has language learning been for you in Thailand?
Language learning has been one of the most surprising parts of my service. I can now understand standard Thai about 95 percent of the time, which is something I never expected when I first arrived. I have also learned local dialects, particularly Isan. Interestingly, I now sometimes find it easier to speak the local dialect than standard Thai.
Learning the language has allowed me to connect with people on a much more personal, human level. Being able to speak with students, teachers, neighbors, and families in their own language makes it easier to share cultures, understand one another, and build a genuine sense of closeness. In many ways, learning the language has helped me feel less like a guest and more like a part of the local community.
Social Identity
12. How has your personal identity shaped your service experience?
As an African-American, my identity has definitely shaped my experience. When I first arrived, people would sometimes stare because I looked different from what they were accustomed to seeing. Over time, though, those first impressions changed as people got to know me.
One thing I have really appreciated is that people often place a strong emphasis on your character. If you are kind, respectful, and genuine, people accept you. I have seen that firsthand in my community. As people have gotten to know me, those initial differences have mattered less, and the relationships we have built have become much more important.
Today, I feel incredibly welcomed by my students and community. What started with curiosity has developed into friendship, trust, and a genuine sense of belonging.
13. Did your identity lead to specific challenges or situations?
Overall, my experience with the Thai community has been overwhelmingly positive. People have been kind to me, interested in getting to know me, and accepting of who I am. I have felt a genuine sense of acceptance.
14. What advice do you have for volunteers who share your identity?
For volunteers who share my identity, I would say not to let being different make you hold back. You may get some attention when you first arrive, but it can become an opportunity to meet people and share your culture.
Give people a chance to get to know you. Once they know you, your character is what matters most.
Most importantly, be yourself. Be proud of who you are, share your culture, and enjoy getting to know the people around you.
Final Thoughts
15. What final advice would you share with future volunteers?
My final advice is to appreciate what an extraordinary opportunity this is. You have the privilege of representing the United States while becoming part of another community. Be willing to learn, be willing to adapt, and most importantly, be willing to let people into your life. The relationships you build will become one of the most important parts of your service.
Give your community your very best, but remember that service is a two-way exchange. You will come here with something to give, but you will leave having received lessons, friendships, and experiences that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Emir, 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 Thailand Government.
