March 8, 2005: Headlines: COS - Albania: Los Alamos Monitor: Sarah Hoffman arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the United States, each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months.

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Albania: Peace Corps Albania : The Peace Corps in Albania: March 8, 2005: Headlines: COS - Albania: Los Alamos Monitor: Sarah Hoffman arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the United States, each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months.

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-123-27.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.123.27) on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 3:47 am: Edit Post

Sarah Hoffman arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the United States, each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months.

Sarah Hoffman arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the United States, each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months.

Sarah Hoffman arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the United States, each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months.

A lesson in culture

SARAH HOFFMAN, Peace Corps, For the Monitor

I was a freshman in high school when I first heard about Peace Corps. I learned that it was a volunteer organization that sent people to live in foreign countries to do a variety of work. I considered it to be a perfect opportunity for a post-university adventure.

As graduation came closer, I fought many internal battles, wondering if the two-year service was too much and whether I should choose a different path for my life.

In the end, I concluded that if I did not fulfill this dream, I would constantly wonder, "what if."

As I prepared to graduate from University of Colorado, I began the application process for Peace Corps service.

The application process generally takes nine to 11 months, but after completing the required interviews, medical screenings, and paperwork, I was invited to teach English as a Foreign Language in Albania. Even though I wasn't exactly sure where on the map Albania was, my adventure was beginning.

When I told people I would be going to Albania, I quickly learned to explain that it was north of Greece and across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. I explained I would be there for two years and that I would learn the Albanian language.

I arrived in Albania with a group of 28 other volunteers from all over the

United States. We were each going through varying degrees of shock, which continued for several months. After the three-month training period, I was assigned to a mid-size mountain town called Gramsh. I lived with a host family for six months. During that time, my language skills grew by leaps and bounds and I learned volumes about the culture, traditions, history, and values of the Albanian people.

Technically, I am in Albania to help teach English as a Foreign Language at the local high school in Gramsh. I serve as a resource to the three English teachers at the school. I have been able to explain many small technicalities in vocabulary and also have helped to correct pronunciation errors and to bring more creativity to often boring lessons.

In the afternoons, I am kept busy by other English courses. I work with a group of English teachers who work in the primary schools. These women have all graduated from university with French and have recently been asked to teach English. I also teach English at a local NGO that serves children and women in economic difficulty.

My service is nearly halfway through. I am left amazed at how quickly the time has passed and at how much I have learned. Not only about myself, but also about this endearing and enraging country.

I have woken up many a day with the thought, "What on earth are you doing here, Sarah? How can you stay a minute longer? You have no one to talk to, no one to understand you and everyone you love is thousands of miles away."

I have learned what loneliness is.

But I also have learned, slowly what amazing friendships can be forged across cultures.

Albania is infamous for being historically the most repressedâ country in the world. It was ruled by Enver Hoxha for 40 years and he is famous for building thousands and thousands of concrete bunkers which were part of his military preparations for when American and England would arrive to take over Albania.

Nowadays, it is known as the poorest country in eastern Europe and has had a very difficult time finding its feet in the democratic and capitalistic world. It is infamous for rampant corruption on all levels.

Despite the corruption, despite the poverty and the low morale among students, I have laughed more than I ever imagined.

The Albanians are remarkably resilient and tenacious - and they love to laugh.

This country is also the home to a number of amazing cultural relics. Anyone interested in ancient Greek and Roman history should make an effort to learn about the ancient Illyrian tribes, from whom Albanians descended.

Additionally, one should study Appollonia, Butrint or one of the other numerous castles and churches that were fortunately awarded preservation under Hoxha's regime.

I will be coming back to the States for a brief visit in mid-March and am eager to share my experiences. I know that the second year will be better than the first and that there are still many adventures yet to be had.





When this story was posted in March 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Peace Corps Library Date: February 7 2005 No: 438 The Peace Corps Library
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Story Source: Los Alamos Monitor

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

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