Aspiration Statement

Just thought I would share the Why's and How's of my PC decision as expressed in my "Aspiration Statement" submitted to my superiors in Mongolia

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A: The professional attributes that you plan to use, and what aspirations you hope to fulfill, during your Peace Corps service.

As an anthropologist the most important professional attribute I plan to use is a mindset of cultural relativism. I am aware that I have various ethnocentric biases, but I feel confident that I can keep them in check and hopefully even diminish them. My greatest aspiration for my Peace Corps service is to gain a greater knowledge of the vast spectrum of human existence, while in turn serving as a representative of the United States to show through my actions that while much of the world is displeased with our current policies, the American citizens are still decent people.

B: Your strategies for working effectively with host country partners to meet expressed needs.

My primary strategy for an effective working environment is to cultivate a positive and symbiotic relationship with my host country partners. In addition to being the least experienced, I will also be an outsider. Thus, it will be necessary for me to follow the lead and examples of my host country partners. Only once I have proved my competency to them and gained a level of respect, would I feel justified in suggesting various means of accomplishing the expressed needs.

C: Your strategies for adapting to a new culture with respect to your own cultural background.

Being a military child, I was perpetually the “new kid” and thus learned very early to adapt to various cultural norms. This combined with the fact that I am an anthropologist and am highly aware of the necessity of cultural relativism, I feel that I will be able to acclimate myself into Mongolian culture with ease, once the initial culture shock passes.

D: The skills and knowledge you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project.

In addition to learning Mongolian, and proper English teaching techniques, I feel that the greatest skill I hope to gain will be that of social interaction. I am of the opinion that the most good can be accomplished if everyone is comfortable with each other. It is important to me that I learn what my body language and manner of communication conveys to the Mongolian people so as not to inadvertently offend them.

E: How you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends.

Being of a relatively young age, I am still unsure as to what my ultimate goals are. However, I know with out a doubt that Peace Corps service is right for me, and I know that the knowledge and experience I will gain in Mongolia will go a long way in helping define the individual I will become.