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Lauren Bleck
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 71.208.248.37
Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 2:44 pm:   

Hello Former Volunteers -

I have a couple personal questions about how you handled your family's responses to you joining the peace corps.

I would love to know what to say to my family because they have told me that it is "unfair" that I am "leaving" them for two years.

I only want to be supported because I know this is something I need and want to do with my life.

Any personal stories along the same lines, would appreciate any help!
Thank you
Lauren
chris rossi
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 66.189.253.117
Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 10:24 pm:   

Life is unfair:-) seriously - remind them that two years is really just a blink of an eye in regards to your lifetime. Whether you move two states away, cross county, up to canada or down to mexico OR overseas with PC, my guess is your family would feel the same. I continued to push the idea that I wanted to be independant, learn what I was made of, what/where my values were, see another way of living, what it really means to be poor, learn to appreciate way I have and really do something bold, different and challenging. Parents try often to "guilt" their children as they move out and on....I know, I now have a 20 year old - spending this coming summer in Ecuador for her Spanish major--She studies in MN with us(her family) in NE - Her response to me and others about why she wanted to leave the state and go to college in MN was blunt- I want to get away from my family and be completely on my own..though that hurt a bit to hear, I was, at the same time, very proud of her. When I was in Tunisia,84-87 (yes, I stayed an extra year) I felt safer than I did when in college/USA. A side note: My mom and younger sister came to visit me for 2weeks at the end of my third year -- we still laugh at their experiences - and I believe they are proud of me and very glad they experienced it. My uncle, came as well - he served in WWII there. Later when I was living in Jurusalem, married and with my first daughter, another sister came to visit for 2-3 weeks, went to Egypt and back to Tunisia with her -- Let your family know, you'll be a wonderful, free tour guide. And now, you all have these nifty computers, web cams etc... communication can occur daily if you'd like :-) good luck I wish you well. PC still ranks as one of the best things of my 46 years of living.
Geoffrey J. Brown (geoff_brown)
New member
Username: geoff_brown

Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2009
Posted From: 64.12.116.15
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 11:25 pm:   

Lauren, if their saying that it is NOT FAIR that you are leaving for two years...tell them if they really love you they will support you in what you want to do. If you let them persuade you to not go, you will simply hold it against them if you DONT go. I presume you are fresh out of college. There will never again be an ideal time like now for you to go. You WILL LOVE IT and will GROW tremendously. Invite your family to come visit... in fact start planning their visit now. Call me if you'd like to talk, or if you need me to talk to them. GEoff BRown RPCV Zaire 81-85, ARmenia Staff 94, 96-98. 850-656-2141 Godd luck.
Joanne Roll
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 172.190.70.186
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 11:08 am:   

Is your family dependent on you for any kind of financial, caretaker or medical support? It would be good to do a reality check of their expectations of you compared to what you feel you can do. Peace Corps is many ways is designed for members of the upper middle class who can afford to give up two years salary and whose family is not dependent on them. Some families can afford to travel to visit their Volunteer, many can not. I would explore, first, exactly where your family is coming from, and then proceed. Being able to listen and checking assumptions are two critical abilities to being a successful Volunteer. Best of Luck!

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