macolon2:

I made a “traditional” American dish for my housemates. It was meat loaf, garlic-basil mashed potatoes with a homemade gravy, and glazed carrots. So good! Sharing culture through food. 

Way to practice the Peace Corps’ 2nd Goal! 

An elder woman in Panama paints a Peace Corps Volunteer with a temporary paint from the juices of a fruit called Jagua.

Volunteer Danny Lovell and his host mother enjoy a snack together in their small village in Armenia. In the beginning, Lydia’s family lived in the home as well, but they eventually moved to Germany. Though Lydia spoke in a heavy and difficult to understand dialect, she and Danny were able to find a way to communicate.

Volunteer Emily Haas - Peace Corps Armenia, 2009-2011
Second Place - Sharing Overseas Culture with America
50th Anniversary Photo Contest

Yai Gong, my 104 year old grandmother in the host family I lived with in Northeast Thailand, is pleased. She speaks only “Issan’” and I barely speak Thai. Her days consisted of sorting chili, making sweep sticks and chewing beetle nuts. No spoken communication happened by we shared watermelon and everyday she would ask about my wonderful teeth. One day I polished my nails and decided to pamper her too. Soaking her hands, putting lotion on them and finally a pale pink color. All the time she was very interested what was happening as I jabbered on in English, Thai and Lao. Finally, a small, sweet smile came to her face. Cultural exchange in a manicure.

Peace Corps Education Volunteer Linda Prinsen