November 7, 2003 - Dayton Daily News: Letters to the Editor: Service not for everyone by RPCV Karen Eubanks

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Special Reports: October 26, 2003: Dayton Daily News reports on Peace Corps Safety and Security: Speaking Out: Letters to the Editor and Guest Commentary: November 7, 2003 - Dayton Daily News: Letters to the Editor: Service not for everyone by RPCV Karen Eubanks

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-25-92.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.25.92) on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 9:38 am: Edit Post

Service not for everyone by RPCV Karen Eubanks



Service not for everyone by RPCV Karen Eubanks

Service not for everyone

The Peace Corps articles only tell one side. I enjoyed my Peace Corps time. Not once did I put myself in a situation that was dangerous.

The Peace Corps is not for everyone. Thinking that developing countries are just like the United States is ludicrous.

The Peace Corps volunteer who goes into the Corps thinking that he or she is the savior of the world should not apply. The culture of each country must be observed and the volunteer must fit in and respect the customs and taboos.

I would gladly return to service in the Peace Corps if I did not have a 6-year-old. It was the toughest job I ever had, and I still loved it.

As a schoolteacher, I am amazed daily at the lack of knowledge shown by my students of the world outside the United States.

Could the reporters of the DDN articles possess some of the ugly American traits that so many in our country display?

As volunteers, our most difficult goal is to bring the word home. It has been my experience that most nonvolunteers don't want to know and don't care.

Still, I keep chipping away at the ignorance and, just like in the Peace Corps, I don't try to change them all, but do it one at a time.

Karen Eubanks Decatur, Ga.




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Story Source: Dayton Daily News: Letters to the Editor

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Investigative Journalism

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