In this, the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, it is reasonable to ponder the affect two years of living in another country has on an individual. It's generally agreed that returning Peace Corps Volunteers consider this experience life-changing.
Volunteers discover they don't need "stuff" the way they thought they might or that some inconveniences are only the images of their American perspectives. Peace Corps members gain an enlightenment due to immersion in a different geography and culture. They slowly shed the ethnocentrism that we all carry. ("Our way is best; others' is not quite so good.")
There emerges an intercultural competency, which sounds like a college degree but is simply the acknowledgement that cultures vary, as do perceptions of types of economies. (Developing? Developed? Irrelevant?)
The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals:
** providing technical assistance
** helping people outside the United States to understand US culture
** helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries
Wow: Understanding our sister global cultures to understand ourselves. How radical. Kennedy and Shriver had it right in 1961. Though there have been thousands of PC Volunteers over half a century, their strong voices haven't driven sense into the need to truly understand our fellow Earth citizens. (Can't be bothered with anything but economic growth…)
Educators, regardless of discipline, need to bring to center stage "…helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries…" With constricting energy dominated by the wealthy factions of the planet, we can't neglect to understand cultures that traditionally respect natural resources and continue to work hard with less in the face of climatic change events such as drought or flooding or crop failure.
History can't be changed but can be understood. Due to coal and oil and the era of industrialization, plus a heavy sprinkling of imperialism by European nations, regions of the world consist of the haves and have-nots. Notably in Africa. Resources have been exploited, as have the peoples of said resources. The dichotomy in life styles globally means that understanding eachother and our mores becomes harder and harder, but more and more necessary.
We see and hear quick news flashes from "abroad" via media, especially the natural disasters or wars. Then, because of our busy gifted lives, we move on and neglect the disparities.
So, which do you think the returning Peace Corps veteran reflects upon:
"Cripes, I'm sure glad I don't live there permanently…"
OR
"The disparity in life style from here to there is a great concern.
I feel the tug of the moral responsibility…"
Happy anniversary, Peace Corps!
