Kosarzycki said the Peace Corps experience has fueled her desire to continue making a difference in the world. "Now, I'm more interested in helping create a sense of community not only at the local level, but the global level, as well," said Kosarzycki, who is passionate about traveling, having visited 29 countries/territories. "I feel more unstoppable in terms of realizing the impact one person can make in the world. I want to work with more and more people enrich experiences in the world through approaching life with enthusiasm and positive energy. I had that enthusiasm before I went to Albania, but I've grown a lot and now have even more enthusiasm because of my time there. "It was a phenomenal experience, a great opportunity for me to create a life I love."
Juliet Kosarzycki recently returned from Albania, where she spent 26 months serving as a Peace Corps volunteer
Making a world of difference
Manitowoc's Juliet Kosarzycki impacts lives during Peace Corps mission to Albania
By Benjamin Wideman Herald Times Reporter
July 6, 2008
"It will be interesting to see who I am by the summer of 2008." Juliet Kosarzycki, in the March 19, 2006 edition of the Herald Times Reporter. She left that day for a two-year Peace Corps mission to Albania.
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Making a difference in the world isn't just a catchphrase for Juliet Kosarzycki it's a way of life.
Just ask Burbuqe Mecaj.
Kosarzycki, 37, recently returned to her hometown of Manitowoc after spending 26 months in Albania as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Among her many duties, Kosarzycki (pronounced Ko-sar-ZHI-tski) spent countless hours working alongside Mecaj, helping teach and guide teens at the Kucove Youth Center.
"So many things changed here in my city for the better because of Juliet," an exuberant Mecaj said during a phone interview from Kucove, a town of about 18,000 where Kosarzycki was assigned. "I miss her a lot, and all of the youth here are missing her so very much. She was really, really helpful and showed us so much. She's the greatest.
"Juliet will always be a special person for us. She made life better for all of us."
That's precisely what Kosarzycki hoped to accomplish after leaving her well-paying corporate job at Guidant Corp. in St. Paul, Minn., and joining the Peace Corps in the spring of 2006.
Kosarzycki said the Peace Corps experience has fueled her desire to continue making a difference in the world.
"Now, I'm more interested in helping create a sense of community not only at the local level, but the global level, as well," said Kosarzycki, who is passionate about traveling, having visited 29 countries/territories.
"I feel more unstoppable in terms of realizing the impact one person can make in the world. I want to work with more and more people enrich experiences in the world through approaching life with enthusiasm and positive energy. I had that enthusiasm before I went to Albania, but I've grown a lot and now have even more enthusiasm because of my time there.
"It was a phenomenal experience, a great opportunity for me to create a life I love."
Kosarzycki worked as a project management consultant at Kucove city hall in the mornings, and as a youth development consultant at Kucove Youth Center in the afternoons.
Among her many projects, she:
n Collaborated with international and local agencies to build local capacity in areas including participatory practices, project design and management, and proposal writing.
n Built partnerships between businesses, government and non-profit agencies through community activities, such as an inaugural 2K fun run.
n Empowered teens through a girls' leadership class to address community issues such as corruption in schools, domestic violence, environmental awareness, health and fitness, and body image.
n Created a vocational program for women that included workshops on how to start a small business.
n Served as a motivational speaker for high school students, encouraging them to live outside their comfort zones and face their fears.
n Designed and led training on topics such as youth development, gender and development, community mobilization, being a self-starter and time management.
n Trained 80 Albanian teachers of English on teaching with passion.
n Promoted cultural exchanges through international cooking classes and teaching others the art of Christmas cookie decorating, Easter egg decorating and making piñatas.
"I got this great compliment I'll always remember one person told me I helped her realize how beautiful life can be," Kosarzycki said. "It's great if I can do that for somebody."
It's something Kosarzycki strived for the past 20-plus years.
"When I was a teenager, I created my own personal mission I wanted to help others live happy, healthy and productive lives," Kosarzycki said. "I've always chosen volunteer opportunities and jobs that continue moving me toward that mission."
Kosarzycki has a history of achieving goals. She was co-valedictorian of the Lincoln High School class of 1988; graduated from Cornell University, an Ivy League school in Ithaca, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1992; and earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin in 2001.
Still, something was missing from her life. That's when the Peace Corps entered the picture.
It didn't bother her that the average age of a Peace Corps volunteer is 27, and she was 35.
"I think it was really a great thing to do when I was in my mid-30s," Kosarzycki said. "I automatically gained a lot of respect once I entered the community in Kucove because of my age. I think I was able to be more effective sooner because of that.
"Some who go right after they're done with their undergraduate degree might have more trouble gaining respect, because people will be skeptical about what the volunteers can offer because of their limited life experiences. It was a great thing for me to do an incredible opportunity to make a contribution to the world while having an adventure."
Added Kosarzycki's older sister, Diane: "While she sets out to fulfill her own goals, Juliet seems to endlessly affect and inspire all those who meet her. We always knew that Juliet would help change the world. She's just doing it one person at a time."
Kosarzycki left Manitowoc on March 19, 2006 and headed to Philadelphia for three days of training. Then, it was off to Albania.
It took a little time to adjust. Water was available only four hours each day (6 to 8 a.m., and 6 to 8 p.m.), and the average Albanian's monthly income is $220 about the same amount she received each month from the Peace Corps.
Kosarzycki also enjoyed running but Albanians weren't used to seeing anyone exercise in public. "People in their cars would pull up next to me and ask if I was late and needed a ride," she said with a laugh, adding, "or they thought I was in trouble running away from someone."
She completed her Peace Corps service May 17, and traveled in Europe and northern Africa for a couple of weeks before returning to Manitowoc on June 5.
"It's easy to adjust to being back so close to family and friends and talking as long as I want on the phone," Kosarzycki said. "And having 24-hour access to water and electricity and full grocery stores and insulated buildings, that's nice. And not having people stare at me when I go running in public.
"But it's hard adjusting to everybody's busy schedules here. In Albania, nobody uses daily planners. Nobody plans in advance. In Albania, they have a phrase they use avash avash, which means 'little by little' that's the attitude they take in life, to relax, take your time, don't rush. They make more time for people and family. I haven't gotten used to that here yet. I struggle a little with trying to keep some of the serenity and peace I had with my schedule there, like the evening strolls through the streets with families and friends."
In the end, serving with the Peace Corps was something she'll never forget.
"My experience in Albania proved to me that all it takes is one person to generate a contagious energy that moves individuals and communities to pursue new possibilities for themselves," she said. "I want to continue to reach out to others so they can experience the fulfillment and joy they can get from following their dreams and letting go of fear."
Benjamin Wideman: (920) 686-2139 or bwideman@htrnews.com
