In this interview, we hear from Rachel Davis. Rachel is working as a Peace Corps Environment volunteer in the Philippines. What Rachel 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. Rachel talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Rachel’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. Can you tell us more about serving as an Environment volunteer in the Philippines?
I’m based in Cebu City, working with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation on marine conservation projects. My official title is “Community Development Facilitator in Coastal Resource Management.”
A lot of my work focuses on helping local communities and government units manage and protect Marine Protected Areas. Some days I’m in the office mapping dive sites or analyzing survey data; other days I’m in the field doing reef monitoring dives, joining coastal cleanups, or facilitating environmental education activities for students. It’s a mix of technical conservation work and relationship-building with the people who live and work in these coastal areas.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose the Philippines?
I actually didn’t grow up around the ocean — I only got into diving after I lived in Indonesia during my gap year between high school and college. In college, I joined the scuba diving club, met all my closest friends there, and eventually became an officer. That experience inspired me to study biology and start looking for ways to connect diving, conservation, and community work.
I worked as a scientific diver in a kelp forest ecology lab throughout the final two years of college and knew that I wanted to continue working through the challenges of field-based research in my next job role. Through my scientific diving work, I met two returned Peace Corps Volunteers who had served in the same sector here in the Philippines.
Though I didn’t pick a specific country and instead left it to the Peace Corps’ discretion, I think my current position aligns well with my technical background and field experience. The Philippines’ incredible marine biodiversity and strong coastal cultures made it the perfect place to bring my diving skills into community-focused conservation work.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
When I first arrived, I lived with a host family, which was a great way to adjust to life here and practice the language. Later, I transferred to a small studio apartment, where I live now. My neighborhood is lively and busy, and I take the jeepney — a retired American WWII public transport vehicle — to work every day. I go to my local gym daily, and I also run laps around the local cemetery, which is actually one of the quietest places in my area.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
One of the highlights was joining my counterparts on the 32nd annual “Saving Philippine Reefs” expedition in Siquijor. We spent a week diving and surveying reefs across six municipalities, collecting data that’s been tracked for over three decades. After the trip, I wrote a 100-page scientific report to chronicle decades of changes in Siquijor reefs. We synthesized our findings to produce specific recommendations for each village to enhance the efficiency of their marine protected areas. Knowing our work would directly inform local conservation policy was a really powerful moment for me.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about challenges in the Philippines?
I thought the hardest part would be adjusting to limited resources, but living in a big city completely flipped that expectation. Instead, the challenge has been learning new ways of communicating in a work culture that’s more indirect and relationship-focused than I was used to. I’ve had to slow down, listen more, and learn to read between the lines.
6. What challenges did you face while working on Environment projects?
Early on, I struggled with miscommunication — both in language and in how decisions are made. My instinct was to work fast and be very direct, but that’s not always how things are done here. I’ve learned to adapt by building trust first, asking more questions, and letting relationships guide the pace of projects.
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
Outside of my main MPA monitoring work, I’ve helped with mangrove plantings, environmental education activities for students, and cleanups. I’ve also been part of a project assessing resource availability in coastal barangays, which combines both technical surveys and community interviews.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Environment volunteer in the Philippines?
Don’t get too attached to the mental picture you have before you arrive. Your site could be nothing like you imagine, and that’s not a bad thing — it’s an opportunity to learn and grow in ways you can’t plan for.
9. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Training helped especially with language, but nothing can compare to the real thing. One piece of advice I have — since it’s very hard to get rid of subconscious expectations — is that if you find yourself picturing what your service will be like, try to imagine several completely different situations. The hardest and most abrupt part of my service was being placed in a very urban and developed site, bigger than any city I’ve lived in in America.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future the Philippines volunteers?
Bring as little as possible, because you have no idea what your situation will be like until you arrive. I also recommend bringing a few personal “comfort items” from home — things that make a new place feel familiar. For me, it’s been my own dive mask and some of my favorite outfits, not just dri-fit field clothes. Also, good walking shoes are essential.
11. How has learning the language been?
I’m learning Cebuano, and while it’s been challenging, it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of my service. Sometimes office work is slow, or I don’t feel like I’m making a difference in the technical work every single day. But in my barangay and during my daily commute, I always speak Bisaya — even though most locals speak English too. People are genuinely surprised, and I think they’re happy to see that someone from America took the time to learn their language.
I’m not perfect, and sometimes it draws a little too much attention, but these are the moments when I really feel like I’m making a difference. People are absolutely shocked that I can speak Cebuano, especially since it’s not a common second language for foreigners like Spanish or French. Even small exchanges on the jeepney or at the market can be the most meaningful part of my day.
Final Thoughts
12. Any last comments you’d like to pass on to future the Philippines volunteers?
If you’re a woman considering Peace Corps service, especially in places where foreign women stand out, be ready for moments of discomfort and unwanted attention. When it becomes overwhelming, I just look down and keep moving. It’s okay to set boundaries in your own way, to seek support, and to take care of your mental health. Finding safe spaces and allies — whether other volunteers or local friends — can make a big difference. Your feelings are valid, and you don’t have to just “tough it out.”
This experience has been one of the hardest parts of my service — it’s emotional and draining in ways I hadn’t fully expected. I think it’s important for female volunteers to know that this is a real challenge. It doesn’t define the whole experience, but it’s something to prepare for mentally and emotionally. Navigating these moments requires patience and finding ways to stay grounded. I’ve learned to approach interactions with respect and calm, but also to protect my own space when needed. It’s a complex experience — not always easy, but one that has taught me a lot about resilience and cultural awareness.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Rachel’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 the Philippines Government.
