Are you nervous?

This is the question I’ve been getting the most during the past several weeks. My answer is always the same, though. I always say no, and I’m not saying that just to seem brave or aloof. This is for a number of reasons. First, I’ve wanted to be a PCV for a long, long time. I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to leave the country after college, so now that the moment has come, I’m eager to actually get there! Second, I think because I’ve mentally been prepared and received invitation to serve back in January, I’ve had plenty of time to understand being away from home. I’ve also gone to a foreign country alone. I was pretty nervous before studying abroad in Berlin, especially since I went with no-one I knew. All of those fears were completely shattered within the first several days, though, so I know I shouldn’t be worried.

All the preparation and research is going to be completely thrown out the window within the first week, though. Reading about a country and saying you’re prepared is different than actually living in it, and being completely immersed right away. I’m looking forward to being pushed out of my comfort zone, learning to communicate in a language I barely know, get around in a foreign place, and adapt to the vibrant culture.

I was originally pretty trepidatious about serving as an English Teacher. Am I trained enough to be a teacher and do I have enough experience? I don’t have a degree in education, but I have experience teaching in a classroom and presenting in front of large groups. Is that enough? The fact that I have 10 weeks of Pre-Service Training (PST) and will be in language class for almost three hours a day in the morning, and teaching training in the afternoon, I can rest assured that I’m not just being thrown into a classroom unprepared.

More than anything, I know I have to be as open-minded as possible. I can’t go into it with any pre-conceived thoughts and expectations. I am there to learn and interact with Indonesians, and offer my services to help the government meet it needs for improved English skills of its students. Big things happening!

Received a letter this afternoon from the Peer Support Network (PSN), a part of Peace Corps that support Volunteers with ideas and skills to cope with hardship during service.