Get an unfiltered view of Peace Corps service through this straightforward interview with Emily Harrast, a passionate Youth in Development volunteer in Morocco. Driven by the goal to create positive impact, Emily shows the realities of volunteering in a faraway place. From profound interactions with community members to practical tips for future volunteers, Emily gives us raw insight into the tests and triumphs of their experience. We learn how Emily has adapted to cultural surprises, overcome challenges, and started community initiatives. Most of all, Emily shares an inspiring account of personal evolution through immersive service. Join us as we uncover the essence of the volunteer journey and see how Peace Corps changes lives on both ends.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
- Community Projects and Interactions
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you provide an overview of your experience serving as a Youth in Development volunteer in Morocco?
I have just passed my one-year anniversary as a Youth Development Volunteer in Morocco and the past year has been full of fun and learning. Most of my job description is to encourage young people, anyone from 0- 35 years old in Morocco, to get invested in their futures.
My site specifically has some special interests that I try to encourage such as sports for women and girls, environmental issues, and English classes for adults. I usually teach English 5 days a week as extra practice for the high school students, and beginning classes for adults. Other than that I help with any events that people suggest such as girls’ soccer on Sunday mornings, a meeting of people interested in environmental change, and fun field days for the youngest in my town.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Morocco as your service destination?
I applied to the Peace Corps right after I finished college because I love to travel and see new cultures and thought it would be a great way to experience the world before making more permanent roots in America. I have never been super money-motivated and thought the adventure would give me a new and important outlook on life. I applied to be sent wherever I was wanted because when I looked at postings they all sounded good and I could not choose. So when Morocco was suggested I decided to go.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Can you tell us about them and how you cross that cultural divide while living with a host family?
I no longer live with a host family, I live in a small apartment on my own with very friendly and helpful neighbors. I lived with a host family for the first 3 months in my training site while doing language and culture training and for one month in my final site to get to know my town before moving out on my own.
Both of my host families are big and loud and always have something going on which was very nice because I rarely felt that I was just awkwardly sitting around. Both have multiple children which was fun for me to practice language and play with them and both were extremely welcoming and treated me like a daughter while I lived there and still do to this day.
I frequently get calls and surprise visits from them and they are always willing to help me with anything. I worried I would be uncomfortable and feel like I was imposing but they made the transition into their families very easy. I think them already having kids and seeing how they nurture those kids made it easy for them to see me as their kid and for me to see how their kids acted with them.
Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
4. What has surprised you most (or least) about Morocco or culture? Has it influenced your service?
The culture that surprised me the most is how over-the-top welcoming everyone is. I’m sure most people would say their Peace Corps countries were excited to have them but the culture in Morocco is so welcoming that it’s overwhelming for me sometimes. Any stranger will invite me for lunch or tea and make tons of food and usually try to convince me to stay for as long as possible, sometimes even overnight.
This has influenced my service because it made it pretty easy to feel integrated in my community and easy to get to know a lot of people all at once and talk to them about what things they like or want to change in their town. I feel it made my job much easier because I was able to feel a part of everything so quickly.
5. What challenges did you face while working with community members, and how did you overcome them?
The main challenge I face in my community is that it’s pretty uncommon for women to work in the spaces where men work. I am often the only woman in meetings with town leaders and directors and sometimes if there is a group of men and women at a work event they will separate us which often makes me feel I might be missing something. I try to overcome this divide by still going to meetings where I’m the only woman, in hopes that my presence will start the change of mixing women in men at work to be more normalized.
6. Have you personally grown and developed during your time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco? If yes, how?
I have personally grown in the Peace Corps by just being less afraid. I was very scared to go on the plane and go to a new place alone but I decided to do it and since then my mantra has been “I can do hard things” which has been really helpful and I’m sure is something I’ll carry back with me to America. I also remind myself that this is temporary which has been a good reminder to myself that if something is bad it will be over soon but also if something is good I need to appreciate it because it will be over soon too.
Community Projects and Interactions
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved in (or will be working on in the future)?
Most of my secondary projects are in the category of environmental issues. It’s always been a passion of mine and my town has a lot of people interested in it as well. So far we hosted a conference in my town for guest house owners, mountain guides, and natural farmers to discuss how we can all keep the environment in mind at work. Because my site is in the mountains I also hope to start the CLIMB program which promotes youth leadership through planning and going on hikes.
Recently there was also a big earthquake here in Morocco that sadly caused a lot of damage. Corps Africa, a partner in the region, has been planning to send aid workers after their training this month which some PCVs here have been asked to help with. Most towns organized donations of supplies for victims as a way for those far away to help.
8. Can you tell us about any memorable experiences you’ve had that have left a lasting impact on you?
I think my favorite moments are simple things like really nice hikes with my host mom or my student buying new markers for me when he noticed mine were almost out of ink but the most memorable is probably the end-of-the-year party my women’s class threw for me. It was a surprise and we had so much fun eating and dancing and I taught them the cotton-eyed joe after they taught me some Moroccan dances.
Advice and Support
9. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as a Youth in Development volunteer in Morocco?
I would just tell them to be open and flexible. I’m sure that’s advice that all PCVs receive but it’s really essential. It’s impossible to know what to expect and every village is different so even asking others you can’t know what it will be like. So try not to worry about what it might be like, embrace every new experience, and try to say yes to anything people invite you to.
10. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a Youth in Development volunteer?
I think the most important quality is to be fun-loving and positive. It can be easy in any place to let life get you down but a positive mindset can really make a huge difference. Things don’t always go to plan but being just happy to be here makes everyone enjoy anything you go to.
11. How has the Peace Corps provided support and resources to enhance your service experience in Morocco?
My regional manager is one of the best bosses I’ve ever encountered. He is super supportive and asks what kind of support we would want. He helps me brainstorm new ideas, helps me plan with town leaders, and overall is super excited about the work we do which makes him great to work with.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
12. Anything yet that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Morocco volunteers?
I didn’t pack any food from home because I figured I wouldn’t die without it but I definitely missed American snacks. It seems small but it goes a long way to have anything that reminds you of home or makes you feel a little more yourself so my advice is if you have anything like that, try to bring it.
13. How has learning the language been? Any advice to future volunteers?
I was lucky to have a great teacher so I do feel that I have a pretty good grip on the language here. I was really nervous in the beginning because I didn’t learn anything until I was already in Morocco so my only advice would be to study a little bit before you come just to give you some peace of mind if you’re like me and think about how bad an emergency would be if you don’t even know the word for help. In reality, I was fine and had teachers or Moroccan staff with me almost all the time the first few months.
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Morocco, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of the posts about Peace Corps Morocco with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
Final Thoughts
Emily’s account of her rewarding yet challenging service as a Youth in Development volunteer in Morocco provides an authentic glimpse into the realities of Peace Corps service. Her stories of profound connections, personal growth, and community impact inspire us all to make a difference. Emily’s openness to new experiences allowed her to fully immerse herself and make lasting change.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Emily’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 Morocco Government.
