email

below is an email I sent to a college senior from the states who was requesting info on the PC. I thought it gave some good general info about my life. So here it is


Hi Nori,

Great to hear from you. Yes, I'd be happy to email w you and answer questions. I am in PC in Thailand which is sort of unique in that PC has been here for over 40 years and Thailand is a very developed country. PC was planning on leaving but Thailand begged them to stay basically. So I'm not living in a mud hut or anything. I am emailing you from my computer in my 4 story townhouse actually- not that it's the same as a town house would be in the states.

ok. anyway. I do love PC. I love being a volunteer. I love living my life like a Thai. It is sometimes frustrating bc I want to get a lot 'accomplished' here, but by the American definition of that word I don't always feel like I'm doing so. The cool thing I guess is that by the Thai cultural definition of that word I am getting lots done. i'm spending time w the Thais and having fun w them. That's what's important here. That being said I have done a few projects that I think have been helpful and hope I have made a difference in the teaching styles of the teachers I co-teach with.

Dealing with Peace Corps itself was not really what I expected. But every country is different. I expected a lot of emotional support during my training and thought them to be really unsupportive. But now that I have shifted my expectations I am happy w peace corps. I have to say I am a little afraid of them as an entity, but my personal interactions with staff are always so pleasant. They are a great group of people- individually, out of the PC context.

I also have made great friends with other volunteers and get to see some friends at least once a month. That may be unique to Thailand, as I said it's a very developed country. But we have lots of workshops and meetings around the country. And there is lots of opportunity to collaborate on projects at each other's sites.

So, what's it like to be a volunteer? Well, I don't feel like a volunteer anymore. I just feel like a gal living in Uthai Thani, Thailand. Living my life. Going to the market for my veggies every day and eating rice w my neighbors every night. Checking out the festivals when they happen in town and working in the schools during the day. In many ways I feel like a superstar. The Thais LOVE America and anything American, so by association they love me. I really love the friends I have made in Uthai Thani and already know I will be so homesick for this place when I leave. Social interactions are quite different here than in the states and it was a little bit of a culture shock adjusting, but I fear going back to the states will be even worse.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions, Rachel

Rachel M. Bobruff Baan ScreenTambon Uthai MaiAmphur MuangUthai Thani61000Thailand011-669-672-7262http://rachelinthailand.blogspot.com/

From: Nori Kasting To: ladyrachel2000@hotmail.comSubject: questions about the Peace CorpsDate: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:44:16 -0600

Hi Rachel,My name is Nori and I am thinking of going into the Peace Corps after I graduate from Vanderbilt in May. I'm a friend of Rachel Nisselson, and she told me she knew a few people who had done or were currently in the Peace Corps. She said you probably wouldn't mind if I contacted you to ask you a few questions. I was just wondering how you liked being in the Peace Corps, if it's what you expected and what it's like to be a volunteer. If you have a minute, I would really appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks so much :).Nori