Advice for current volunteers

Advice for current volunteers: 

•  Stay with it. Sometimes you will have doubts, but it will all be worth it.
• Flexibility: Don't force something if it doesn't  work. Just try a different approach or something new.
• Patience: Take it easy, focus on integration, and building relationships. The rest will fall into place.
• Take pictures within your first few months. Everything will begin to appear "normal" after awhile.
• It's possible that the only one who may change, will be yourself
• Accept invitations for everything.
• Be realistic: You are not going to change the world, but you will, without realizing it, make a difference in the lives of some people just by being you.
• It's the simple things. Like teaching children how to play kickball, or reading a book in your hammock. Climbing a mango tree with your friends, or playing baseball with a group of ladies. Drinking a cup of coffee with your 70 year old neighbor, or sharing stories about your culture with just about everyone in your village. Appreciate and embrace the simple life. It is something that is hard to find here in America.
• Leave the US behind mentally as best as you can. The country of service is your new home. Learn the culture. Make new friends in your village. You have the rest of your life to hang out with gringos. Of course, it is great to have your gringo friends around. Someone to talk to who understands you and someone to relate to more easily. So, find that balance, and don't forget why you are there. For many of you this is your once in a lifetime chance.
• People are more important than projects. Of course we are there to work, and help develop the community. But really take time to get to know the people. (Remember the objective of Peace Corps.) You'll leave with the feeling that they taught you more anyway.
• Laugh at yourself
• Just about every volunteer will say how much of an emotional roller coaster Peace Corps is. Those low moments make those high moments seem that much higher. You may not understand it at the time, but you will find the answer to why these low moments happened to you.  Failure and struggle will be your great teachers.