1) Only you are in charge of you.
You know best what it is that you need whether that be food, water, a hug, a break, or an adult beverage. In other words, your health and happiness is your responsibility. Listen to your body. Take care of yourself. Be open to new experiences but learn when to say ‘no’. Your success in Peace Corps (and life) is rooted in how you react to challenges. If you need a break, take it. Want to get out of town for a couple days? Do that. Feeling homesick? Do something that makes you happy. When you find yourself in a hole know that you alone have the power to get yourself out of it.
2) People will often surprise you if you give them a chance.
It is easy to become a bitter Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania. The challenges you face again and again sometimes leave you feeling defeated and disappointed. People drop the ball. Colleagues let you down. Strangers take advantage of your misplaced trust. But Albania is a country rich in familial bonds, passionate people, and warm hearts. The culture is one of hospitality and for every individual that does not have your best interest in mind, there are ten Albanians who will invite you to their homes for coffee and candy. Don’t let one failed relationship affect your faith in the rest of humanity.
3) “Go where you’re celebrated, not where you are tolerated.”
This is a lesson I have learned the hard way. Instead of recognizing that I had more positive opportunities available to me outside my primary place of work, I stubbornly convinced myself to stay where I was. A glutton for punishment, I kept returning to a poor work environment with the same expectations for my situation. It took me awhile to realize that I was more likely to both find fulfillment and be successful if I sought out new work opportunities with motivated and loving counterparts. Life is too short to waste precious moments with people who only tolerate you.
4) It’s okay to ask for help.
Leaving the fast-paced and competitive American culture to live as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a developing country taught me the importance of humility. To this day I rely on the kindness of neighbors and strangers to help me navigate the situational/emotional complexities of life in Albania. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness – it is proof of your maturity. We get by with a little help from our friends.
5) Do your best and forget the rest.
You are a good _______ (volunteer/mother/caretaker/teacher/dishwasher/organ player/etc). You are doing the best you can with what you have. And that is all the universe asks of you.
This Shqip is Hard 