Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Michelle E. Martin can be contacted at mmartinmemaameritechdnet
Country of Service: Guinea
Cities you served in: Kindia
Arrival Year: 1989
Departure Year: 1991
Work Description:
Worked at the College 28 Septembre in Kindia for 2 years teaching Math.
Other Countries you served in, Training Group Name Arrival Year, Departure Year, Work Description:
Spent the summer of '91 in Thies, Senegal, helping training incoming math volunteers to work in Guinea.
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
I have spent my years since the Peace Corps incorporating my love of travel into my career. I returned to the US and got a MA in Intercultural Administration from SIT in Brattleboro, VT. I spent 3 years as an ESL teacher and materials developer in Japan. After spending 8 years as a trainer for an international communications company, I currently work as a regional manager for an education company that provides Title 1 services throughout the US.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
When I was going through my experience, I remember mentioning to another volunteer not to give up and go home, even though he was having difficulty adjusting to Guinea. I told him that I thought that, if he just held on a bit longer, he would adjust. And all the difficult times - the bad water, the disease, etc. would become great stories that he and others would laugh about. I was right. Those difficult, but interesting times have formed me and the way I see the world and myself. I learned I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
All the Guinea 89 group.
Originally posted: January 10, 2007
