TBT: Peace Corps Training
A through back to 2014:
Where should I start now that I finally have Wifi?!? I do not know so these pictures should help give you a general idea!!
We started Core Training in Santo Domingo with 42 Volunteers (half are in the Health sector & the other half are in the Youth sector). It was soooo hard to remember everyones names, but I finally learned them with time! Since then, four trainees decided to leave for multiple reasons. Luckily for me I have adjusted very well and it definitely helps being a native Spanish speaker and understanding Dominican people and culture in relation to my Mexican family, culture and upbringings. But there is still a lot I do not know and I want to learn. So I ask questions and clarifications.
Joventud es el mejor programa!! I am in the Youth sector and I support the Youth program's purpose and goals because it aligns with my Community Psychology values and UM coursework. We are now learning about the various Youth initiatives with "charlas" from current Peace Corps Volunteers and working with our own youth groups from Monte Plata.
Training includes language classes, Peaces Corps policies and other important topics that applies to our service like water, diarrhea & mosquito related illnesses to coping with unwanted attention and sexual assault and learning about dominican pastimes like music, dance and dominos. For instance we learned how to use a "motoconcho." DR is the only country that allows Volunteers to go on motorcycles, but they have very strict rules about wearing helmets and if we are caught without a helmet its an automatic dismissal.
But Dominicans do not wear helmets and often fit 3 people in one!
Living in the Dominican Republic is an adjustment, but I embrace the changes. On the first day of our retreat, many trainees got an allergic reaction to our mosquito net. My eyes were burning and I do not understand why!! But now I have a blue mosquito net and its essential to sleep with one.
Our living situation varies from Volunteer to Volunteer. I have lived with an 80 year old Doña in Los Cocos and now with a Dominican family in Monte Plata. Overall Dominicans treat you like you are part of the family and they are so attentive, make my breakfast, lunch and dinner and teach me how to bucket flush..
Training can be exhausting, but I am not stressing. Dominicans are chill people and they sit in plastic chairs to talk and play games in front of their house.
Dominicans love to sit in plastic chairs in front of their house and we do too. Lots of talking and chesme It defiantly helps being a native speaker and being placed in the advanced language class.
Free time includes historical tours in the Zona Colonial, enjoying the beach and the rivers of this country.













