Gallery • 2 Photos

photo used with permission from Chris Austin

What did you do in the Peace Corps?

Austin: “I lived in a community of 15,000 to 20,000 and I worked with a youth group, teaching them economic development and entrepreneurship.”

Rahman: “I lived in the capitol of my district of approximately 30,000 but I often went out into the surrounding districts.”

What surprised you the most about going to your communities?

Austin: “The fact that technology has just exploded – specifically communications technology. There are people living in huts with internet on their phones, able to communicate with friends and family all over.”

Rahman: “It was surprising to see the whole asymmetric development. Satellite dishes didn’t fit with the stereotypes of very poor people in every country. Also, at the base level, people were very happy and lived a fine life.”

What do you miss the most?

Austin: “I miss the way they focused on relationships. Everyone was very personable. There was a lot of face to face communication.”

Rahman: “I miss the pace of life there. I got very used to it. There was a lot of time to just hang out and everything there was just more casual.

What was the hardest thing while you were there?

Austin: “It’s very hard to be so isolated, but you find purpose working in the community.”

Rahman: “The whole experience was some of the highest highs and the lowest lows that you feel in one experience.”

What would you say to a high school student considering the Peace Corps?

Austin: “It’s one thing to read about these countries, but it’s another to actually live there. The standard of life is entirely different.”

Rahman: “I would recommend it to people with the caveat that it takes a certain kind of person to be able to do it.”