Peace Corps! Any Volunteers?
Posted by Capture on Mar 09, 2008 · Member since Jul 2007 · 3981 posts
Hey Everyone!
You know-I've mentioned how sick I am of all the bull crap that goes on in the world and how at some point I just want to run away and jump off the grid--well, then I was thinking, I could do that and actually help people at the same time, so I started to investigate the peace corps! I'm starting to think this could be a really good oppurtunity for me to explore after I graduate from my undergrad next year (May 09') and before I get started on my grad work.
So has anyone been in the peace corps? What's it like, did you enjoy your time? Was it vegan friendly? Anyone else interested in going too?
I completely understand the need to be culturally sensitive--it's just that this recruiter made it seem like all veg*ns just give up on their lifestlye becasue it's easier and in order to remain "healthy" they eat meat. I feel frustrated that I am basicly being told I can not continue my lifestyl/beliefs--I guess i could equate it too someone saying they could not practice their religion because it would be easier to give it up. *blerg*
Ya, I would just remember that the person was not speaking seriously that EVERY veg in the peace corps turns to meat, and they were just generalizing from previous experiences. And also remember that you are probably not like the stereotypical person who calls themselves a veg*n, the fact that you care this much to think this much on the topic and post about it proves that.
I say that if you want both bad enough you will make it work. I know that for me personally, being vegan has made international travels a bit more difficult, but its something i am waaay to passionate about to give up!
One of my best friends was in the peace corps in the Philippines, and said she had to eat fish to survive, as it was just white rice and fish, period. Her host family was extremely poor. I think the experience overall was positive for her, but very difficult. She is a very nice person, and if you want to talk to her about it, she would probably be willing.
From what she has told me, though, I know I would never want to do it because I am too attached to my vegan diet, and it sounds pretty challenging to avoid animal products in many of those situations. I had a hard enough time when I visited Belize as a pregnant woman 5 years ago, so I wouldn't want to go anywhere that was harder than that. It took me a long time to go back to eating bean burritos after that trip! :)
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