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Are you a current or returned Peace Corps Volunteer? Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? Do you have an adventurous and curious spirit? Peace Corps Revisited is a podcast that explores everything it means to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, leaving familiar life to live and work in a foreign and unfamiliar place. The Peace Corps is a U.S. government-run agency established in 1961 to spread peace and friendship around the world. Approximately 200,000 volunteers have served in 141 countries in the Peace Corps since its inception. During 27 months of service abroad, each volunteer is shaped by their experiences and has a fascinating story to tell. As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Suriname, South America from 2010-2012, Megan Donohue speaks with volunteers who have served around the world since Peace Corps was first founded. Megan and her guests discuss the incredible highs and the devastating lows that come with service. She discusses the application process and how it has changed in recent years. She talks about successful and not-so-successful projects. She delves into dating and romantic relationships in the Peace Corps. She discusses how the politics of the U.S. and the politics of the host country have shaped service. Amongst many other topics, she also talks about the challenges of assimilating to a volunteer’s new culture, as well as adjusting back to life in the U.S. after returning from service. Megan speaks with volunteers about all that makes Peace Corps the most challenging job you’ll ever love. Whether you’ve served in Peace Corps, are a Peace Corps applicant, or simply have a curious and adventurous spirit, this podcast will appeal to anyone who has a hunger for learning about the various people and cultures that make up our incredible planet. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Peace Corps. This is a commentary based on personal experiences and is not authorized or funded by the U.S. Peace Corps.
You can email Megan at peacecorpsrevisited@gmail.com, or find the podcast on facebook at facebook.com/peacecorpsrevisited or on Twitter @PCrevisited
You can email Megan at peacecorpsrevisited@gmail.com, or find the podcast on facebook at facebook.com/peacecorpsrevisited or on Twitter @PCrevisited
18 Episodes
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In episode 17, I'm speaking with Toni Gale about her Peace Corps service in Ukraine from 2017-2019. Toni speaks about the challenges of being a professional woman in a country where business is male-dominant. She also speaks about the close relationship that formed between her and her host family.
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Toni's Recommendations:
Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, 1921-1933 by Anne Applebaum
Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom documentary
Works by Taras Shevchenko
Works by Ivan Franco
In episode 16 I'm speaking with Ben Taylor, who served in the Federates States of Micronesia from 2012 to 2014. Ben talks about the close relationship that was forged with his host family, as well as many fascinating cultural practices. Ben talks about taking Zumba classes to prepare for Peace Corps service, as well as the dos and don'ts of drinking sakau.
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Ben's recommended reads:
Upon a Stone Altar: A History of the Island of Pohnpei to 1890 by David L. Hanlon
Up Pohnpei: A Quest to Reclaim the Soul of Football by Leading the World's Ultimate Underdogs to Glory by Paul Watson
Ben's other recommendations:
Spirit of Micronesia by Various Artists - music of Micronesia
Island Soldier - a documentary about a Micronesian soldier who died serving in the U.S. military
Join me for episode 15, in which I'm speaking with Carleena Angwin about her Peace Corps Service in Panama from 2001-2003. Carleena hosts the podcast, "The Carleena Show", where she speaks with guests about their hero's journey. Carleena speaks about coming from a "sheltered, rural background" and joining the Peace Corps the day before 9/11 occurred.
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To learn more about Carleena and The Carleena Show:
Carleena's Website
The Carleena Show on Apple Podcasts
Article by Carleena in PC Panama Friends Newsletter
Recommended Reading:
The Path Between the Sea: The Creation of the Panama Canal
In the Time of Tyrants: Panama
After taking a hiatus from podcasting, please join me for episode 14, where I’m speaking with Nate Balk, a current PCV serving in Morocco. Nate has been incredibly proactive and passionate about his service as a Youth Development Volunteer, and is working on a number of successful projects. Nate discusses the joys and challenges of serving in an urban community, as well as being a Jewish volunteer in an Islamic country.
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Nate's Recommended Readings:
The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah
By Bus to the Sahara by Gordon West
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown - Morocco (Tangier)
In episode 13, I'm speaking with Jacob Gandolfi about his service in Nicaragua from 2017-2018. Jake served in a rural community in southern Nicaragua and stayed with a host family who he became very close to throughout service. Jake was evacuated from Nicaragua, along with his fellow volunteers, when Peace Corps service was suspended in Nicaragua due to political instability.
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Recommended Resources:
Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua by Stephen Kinzer, which details the Nicaraguan Civil War
Anything by Ruben Dario, who is a Nicaraguan poet, national hero, and father of the Spanish literary movement modernismo
During episode 12, I'm speaking with Anastasia Bannikova, who served in Ghana from 2014-2018, as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Ukraine from 2018-2019, and is currently serving in Armenia. Anastasia was born and raised in Kazakhstan, and was taught and mentored as a girl by a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in her community. She has since become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. ----more----
Resources recommended by Anastasia about Ghana (and Africa in general):
The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuściński
All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes by Maya Angelou
Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Resources recommended by Anastasia about Ukraine:
Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine by Anna Reid
Black Square: Adventures in Post-Soviet Ukraine by Sophie Pinkham
The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
In episode 11, I'm speaking with Justin Tabor, who served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines from 2008-2011 as an education volunteer. Justin extended a year to continue service as a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader. Justin is currently working as a Peace Corps placement officer, and gives great advice for prospective volunteers. He is also working on an NGO in the Philippines called Bongga Philippines, whose goal is to address the lack of community, social and health services dedicated to LGBT Filipinos. Check out links below!
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Further resources about the Philippines and Justin:
Justin's blog: Some Other Beginning's End
Bongga Philippines
USAID literature about LGBT policy in Asia
NY Times article that explains the challenges of trans people in the Philippines
Bacolod wikipedia, where Justin served
Peace Corps Philippines country page
RPCV Philippines alumni group and scholarship page
In episode 10, I'm speaking with Alexandra and Kyle about serving in Colombia as a married couple. Alexandra speaks about her father's service in Peace Corps Colombia in the late 1970s, and about her experiences as a Peace Corps legacy baby and a Colombian-American woman. They speak about finding a shared passion between yourself as a volunteer and your community. Kyle speaks about working with cacao farmers to produce chocolate in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Alexandra also speaks about some of the challenges of serving as a woman, such as sexual harassment. ----more----
Resources:
Alexandra and Kyle's shared blog: Kronicles of Kalexandra
Alexandra's Travel Latina blog: Travel Latina
Book list recommended by Alexandra and Kyle:
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with a short and fun Ted-ed explanation of the book: 100 Years of Solitude
Film list recommended by Alexandra and Kyle:
"Aluna" with link to film
"Birds of Passage" with film trailer
"Love in the Times of Cholera" with film trailer
Netflix series recommended by Alexandra and Kyle
"La Esclava Blanca" with film trailer
"Always a Witch" with film trailer
Soon to come to Netflix: "100 Years of Solitude"
In episode 9 of the podcast I'm speaking with Adam Lawrence, founder and CEO of Enspire. Adam served in the Republic of Moldova from 2014-2016. After completing service, Adam lived in Moldova for 2 years and founded Enspire in the capital city, Chisinau, in order to provide local Moldovans with challenging and inspiring careers. Enspire is a creating agency with a social impact, which works with businesses around the world in order to provide creative solutions for branding, website design and development, and SEO and marketing.
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Here are some links to learn more information about Enspire:
Enspire website
Enspire Instagram
Enspire Facebook
Recommended Reading/Watching:
"Playing the Moldovans at Tennis" -a movie with comedian Tony Hawks - IMDB link
"Bessarabian Nights" - Goodreads link - a novel that covers a lot of the issues faced in Moldova
Jacquette McGhee served in Haiti from 2002-2004. Jacquette speaks about several unique experiences she had during service, including interpreting for modern-day pirates who arrived in her village, and being evacuated from the country during the coup d'etat. Jacquette also speaks about being an African American woman serving in an African-descent community, and being queer in Peace Corps.
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For those interested in learning more about Haiti, Jacquette recommends the following books:
"Breath, Eyes, Memory" by Edwidge Dandicat
"The Comedians" by Graham Greene
"Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World" by Tracy Kidder
Join me for episode 7, where I'm speaking with Erin Hogeboom, who served in Paraguay from 2007-2009. Erin speaks about how her passion for service has led her through her life and career. Erin speaks about her beliefs that Peace Corps is more valuable as an organization of cultural exchange rather than a developmental organization.
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Erin also speaks about how Peace Corps is ideal for older or retired volunteers, and about how important it is to approach Peace Corps service with a sense of humility.
For those interested in learning more about Paraguay, Erin recommends: "Paraguay (Other Places Travel Guide)" by Natalia Goldberg.
Meg Mayzelle served in Paraguay from 2007-2010 and talks about amazing relationships she has built with her friends and host family in her community. She has started her own business, called Peace Corps Transitions by Songgaar, in order to help volunteers through the difficult transitions that come with and after service. See below for details. ----more----
Peace Corps Transitions by Songgaar is offering listeners an intro offer. You can receive an additional 25% off the Peace Corps rate. That's 75% off the full price! You can get started by booking a free session to see if it's a good fit and to see what you want to accomplish. From there, if you want to move forward, you can use code REVISITED75. No expiration date
There's tons of need for sponsors of returning Peace Corps volunteers. The wait list currently has over 40 people on it. Here's how it works:
- Anyone that buys a full price package automatically sponsors a returning volunteers to receive the same service for totally free. They can specify a particular individual or characteristics (e.g. country, sector, minority, first-gen college, etc) and choose whether or not to remain anonymous.
- People can also sponsor a volunteer without buying anything for themselves, and it's 50% off normal rates. Details here.
- Meg has considered working with companies that would be interested in sponsoring volunteers and would love to hear any leads the community might have.
Other links to contact Meg and Peace Corps Transitions by Songgaar:
IG: peacecorpstransitions
FB: Peace Corps Transitions by Songgaar
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Selma Brittain is a current Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Macedonia as a TEFL volunteer. She just finished her first year of service, and speaks about the life she's created and friendships that have formed in Macedonia.
Chris Aronen, who served in Suriname, South America from 2010 -2012, speaks about participating in a traditional cleansing ritual to rid himself of an evil spirit, as well as many other highs and lows of his service.
Chris Shumway, who served in the Kyrgyz Republic from 2015 - 2017, speaks about the unexpected perks of living with a host family, as well as the challenges of joining in his mid-30s.
Jerry Donohue, who served in Malaysia from 1969-1971, speaks about the life-altering experiences of working in longhouses along the rivers of Sarawak, Borneo. He also talks about the changes he found upon returning to Malaysia 40 years later.
Katy Corey, who served in Guatemala from 2004-2006, speaks about creating lifelong friendships in unexpected places, as well as some incredible low points of service. You can contact me at peacecorpsrevisited@gmail.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/peacecorpsrevisited, and on Twitter @PCrevisited.
Megan Donohue announces the launch of her new podcast: Peace Corps Revisited. Megan will be speaking with returned and current Peace Corps Volunteers who have served around the world from 1961 to the present. They will be discussing everything it means to serve in another culture for 27 months. You can reach Megan at peacecorpsrevisited@gmail.com and facebook.com/peacecorpsrevisited and on Twitter @PCrevisited for more information.
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