July 19, 2003 - Gwynedd-Mercy: When I decided to join the Peace Corps, my family was not too keen on the idea, but they eventually got used to it. I had been assigned to Macedonia to teach English

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Macedonia: Peace Corps Macedonia: The Peace Corps in Macedonia: July 19, 2003 - Gwynedd-Mercy: When I decided to join the Peace Corps, my family was not too keen on the idea, but they eventually got used to it. I had been assigned to Macedonia to teach English

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 9:38 am: Edit Post

When I decided to join the Peace Corps, my family was not too keen on the idea, but they eventually got used to it. I had been assigned to Macedonia to teach English



When I decided to join the Peace Corps, my family was not too keen on the idea, but they eventually got used to it. I had been assigned to Macedonia to teach English

Anjali Parekh is the oldest daughter of a Philadelphia- born-and-raised mother and an Indian father who traveled to this country when he was only 17 years old. Had it not been for her father's unexpected death shortly after her high school graduation, Anjali might have never found her way to Gwynedd-Mercy.

As the oldest of three children, Anjali's long distance college plans changed drastically as she found herself being called upon to help support her mother's efforts to maintain "as normal a family life as possible for her younger children." Anjali found herself flung in the untried role of a grown up and made the very difficult decision to set aside her original college plans and attend a local college instead. Choosing to live at home and attend Montgomery County Community College while helping her mother care for her younger brother and sister had not been a part of her academic strategy, but she remained determined to earn her Bachelor's Degree, and transferred to Gwynedd-Mercy College from MCCC. Anjali went on to receive her degree in English & Secondary Education in December 1999.

While in her junior year at GMC, Anjali applied to the Peace Corps, inspired by the Gwynedd-Mercy philosophy and mission. "All around me, I saw students and faculty encouraging one another to do and be all they could be," said Anjali. "Gwynedd-Mercy College helped me believe that I was capable of making wise decisions and to trust in myself and my judgment. I always felt supported, especially by Sister Ellen Murray and her office staff.

"When I decided to join the Peace Corps, my family was not too keen on the idea, but they eventually got used to it. I had been assigned to Macedonia to teach English as a foreign language and to introduce newer methods of teaching to my host country. My stay there was wonderful! Although I initially had the feeling that I had stepped back into time, the people of Macedonia were both hospitable and giving. Surprisingly, even though Macedonia is still 'very new' to the connective powers of computers, several Internet cafés had sprung up in our area, where we (Peace Corps members) could go to stay in touch with our friends and family at home.

"Due to civil unrest in the territories, we were forced to evacuate to Bulgaria in July 2002, then returned to the USA. Returning to Pennsylvania, I needed to find a job and I knew I wanted to teach. September is a little late to start looking, so I signed up with the Souderton School District to substitute and to teach English as a Second Language. I currently have 20 students in my class. Teaching ESL involves so much more than just the language skills. So many of my students have personal issues that need to be resolved or that need to be supported by other outside organizations, so my training with the Peace Corps has really proved invaluable. I also teach a G.E.D. course at the Montgomery County Correctional Institution, and am extremely proud of my accomplishments there, as well."



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Story Source: Gwynedd-Mercy

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Macedonia

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