Why You Should Join Peace Corps with a Masters or PhD

There's an article on the Peace Corps Blog Here about "Why You Should Join the Peace Corps Straight Out of College." Well, they aren't wrong, per-say, but I wanted to add my reasoning to why you should join the Peace Corps right after your higher level degree. Peace Corps has a tendency to be marketed to recent college graduates with new undergraduate degrees. Yes, all of the things listed are 100% true, but I'm going to expand a little bit on why you are not overqualified simply because you have a master's or PhD.

Here is their list: 

• You have the opportunity to be immersed in another culture
• You will constantly be challenged and find new opportunities to grow
• You have a safety net
• New group of friends
• You might actually make a difference
• Build your resume 

Here is my additional list:

• You have bigger insight and self-awareness: This is not to say that most undegraduates do not, but you typically are simply going to have seen more of the world and that makes you more accepting that opinions are opinions and not facts. Now, I've seen some PCV's with just an undergrad totally knock other's with higher education out of the park, so it's not always true. 
• You have more knowledge: You studied in your preferred field as a specialty! This makes you more of an asset and you understand your subject at a deeper level.
• You are very passionate about your subject: when you don't have to take general education classes, it means that you can pick something that you truly enjoy. Because of this, you know more of what you may want in your life. While, that isn't always true, it is for the Peace Corps. Having a specialized degree can help you can access to coveted positions. 
• You already have experience: there are two benefits to this... 1) Peace Corps changed their application style, which made each position much more competitive and 2) handling working in America can be hard enough without experience, adding experience means that your adjustment may be more limited to culture. 
• You LOVE what you do and you know what you want to do: When this happens, you become an advocate for both your government and your field of profession. 
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness: google this, it's life changing... $0 loan payments!
• You will be humbled: You will find that every, single thing on this list can come at any degree and experience level. You will learn that education doesn't mean much when you're here for a common goal. I find that while it was a benefit in the application process, we all come in knowing the exact same about being a Peace Corps Volunteer and it is a very humbling experience. Everyone has their own unique schedule for cultural adjustment and education often has nothing to do with that. 

The point of this post is to show that there is just as much to get from this experience as a person with a higher degree as someone with a undergraduate degree. It is worth puting your life and career on hold for a bit! It is one of the best self-awareness experiences that I have ever had (and am still having!)

Have any questions you want answered in a blog post? Comment below and Vinaka Vakalevu!

Vosa Vaka Viti

Today, I will be teaching you some basic Fijian that you can use to get around the island of Fiji, First, let me say that there are (at least) 14 different dialects, but this is the main dialect of Buaun. This dialect is spoken all over Fiji and used in the government, the dialect from my province (or state for those of you in the USA) is the Nadroga dialect. Marau na vuli tiko!

Let’s start with the alphabet:

A- ah, in between “cat” and “caught”
B- mb, as in “numb”
C- th, as in “the”
D- ndr, as in “thunder”
E- eh, as in the way canadians speak
F- this depends on the dialect, but normally its F or V sounding
G- ng- as in “sing”
I- ee, as in “see”
J- ch, as in chacos
K- normal
L- nomal
M- normal
N- normal
O- oh, as in “oh my”
P- normal
Q- nga, as in long, this is a hard G sound
R- normal
S- normal
T- normal
U- oo, as in “boot”
V- normal, but sometimes “p” or "f" is used depending on the dialect (Pussycat vs. vussycat)
W- normal
Y- rarely used, “i” is used instead

After you have practiced that through once… Start combining them!

Bula- mBoo-lah- Hello!
Vinaka- vee-nah-kah- Good, welcome or thanks
Io- ee-oh, Yes
Sega- Seh-ngah- No
Vale- vah-lay- house
Valelailai- vah-lay-lie-lie- bathroom
Set- Seht- okay
Set Tiko- Seht Teekoh- Doing well (tiko is -ing, so technically this is “okaying”)
vaka- turns a word into an adjective and some nouns into verbs
sa- indicates present tense
cava- th-ah-vah- what
na- nah- the
o- article for people
iko- you
ni- indicates formal speech
Ivei?- ee-vay-where

Phrases:
Bula Vinaka- Very Welcome or BIG hello!

Sa vakacava tiko- How are you doing?
Set Tiko- Doing well
O Iko? And you?

Ivei na valelailai- Where is the bathroom?
Oqo- ohn-go- there!

Ka- And for verbs and adjectives
Kei- And for nouns

Masu mada- Mah-soo mahn-dah- let’s pray!

Veivuke au! (Vey-ee-voo-kay- ow) Help me!

Lesu Mai- lay-su my- coming from

Lako Mai- Lah-koh my- going to

Slang:
Seji- Seh-chee- oh my! say what?
Sobo- So-mb-oh- oh my! so sad!
Oi Lei- can mean oh my or a word of exasperation
Isa- How very sad, but can also be a term of endearment
Loloma Yani- References communal care

Now, you can navigate a little bit around Fiji. There are just a couple of apps that teach Fijian, too. Every once in a while, I won’t know a Fijian word, so I’ll fill in the blank with the Spanish word and will get funny looks. Example, you use the word “want” instead of “need” and I will forget and say “necesito” instead… every single time! Haha. But don’t worry if you don’t understand… almost everyone speaks English, too.

Lesu Mai, Amigos ;)

*Props to Tom Courtright, PCV, Group 91 for the help for this blog page

Only Hate the Road When You're Missing Home

I have this theory, that as long as your level of homesickness does not overtake your experience for too long, you are okay with being here. This goes wrong when tragedy, trauma, or other miscellaneous "negative" events keep happening for an extended period of time. Sometimes it's just normal wear and tear that can keep us homesick for a long period of time. I think that is when people chose to go home or not to stay.

When I talk to my students about resiliency, I use the analogy of throwing a rock in the ocean; it can be a big rock that makes one big wave or it can be several small rocks that continue to make the waves larger. Resiliency is our ability to ride the waves and settle back to normal. Peace Corps, in and of itself, is a trying experience for the best of us. It will bring up everything you've ever hidden away in your mind and test you more than anything other experience in your life. Service in the Peace Corps is not always white, sandy beaches and picturesque resorts... some days, it is extraordinarily difficult to get through one day. And this is 100% normal.

Cycle of Vulnerability- Peace Corps

Shown above is the diagram about the cycle of vulnerability and statistically, the volunteers in my group should be at our lowest point in service. Typically, the hardest things to deal with are the issues that come from home. Current volunteers are unique because we live several lives. We have our "USA Life" (our past), "Peace Corps Volunteers Life" (how we interact with other volunteers), and "Village Life" (who we are at our sites). Think of these are three separate venn diagram circles that make us who we are. Life continues on in each circle separately, but with the ease in ability to stay in touch across long distances, we have to somehow manage all three concurrently.

But, you "only hate the road when you're missing home." Yes, I am missing things at home and I am constantly homesick; but, you learn to cope. You learn to value your other volunteers and keep your American traditions alive. I love the fact that some of the closest volunteers to me are from Missouri (see the picture below of Katie, a close PCV who has also lived in the show me state). They get it when I talk about Ted Drews and Imos. Every time I hear a song that I heard back home, it triggers a memory and the same is true with meals. I keep in contact with my friends and family via Whatsapp, Facebook and Skype.

Katie and I enjoying some icecream. 

It is hard to watch people change. It is hard to watch people get married and have kids. It is hard to watch people change jobs. It is hard to miss out on holidays. However, I have a feeling they would say the same about me. You have to have faith that the experience, which fate has brought you to will be worth it and will outweigh the homesickness. Those who mean the most to you, will find a way to keep in contact (even if they hate technology). At the end of the day, it is only two years. Most children don't remember things prior to around age 3 or 4 anyways. Nothing I have missed, is worth missing this experience. Have faith. Trust. Stay true to yourself. You will only regret the chances you haven't taken. Most of the time, it's worth it. Sometimes, I look back on the hardest days and realize that now those days are reasons to stay. It is worth it. Life goes on. You'll catch up when you get home. You'll realize that all those little details you missed aren't nearly as important as the person themself. And that what truly matters.

It is the people- not the experiences you are missing that are truly important. 

(The title name is from "Let Her Go" by Passenger)

I Know You (DON'T) Want It: Using Music to Teach Women's Empowerment

When most of us listen to the strong beats associated with pop music, we want to get up and move! Most of the time, we don't take the time to actually listen to the lyrics of the songs to which we are dancing. The song, Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke and Pharrell, has been titled a "rape culture" or "victim blaming" song. And it is incredibly popular in Fiji.

I try to include women's empowerment in every class or meeting that I hold because Peace Corps Fiji is part of Let Girls Learn. Let Girls Learn is an initiative by the US government to try to bridge the gender gap in global adolescent education; for more information on Let Girls Learn visit, http://letgirlslearn.gov. This means that as Peace Corps Volunteers, we intentionally try to make sure we are including the girls in our curriculum and scheme of work. Here are a few examples of how I include this in my work:

• Intentionally choose girls to answer questions
• Make sure girls have the opportunity for leadership in class and at school
• Speak up at school to ensure that girls are included on all opportunities
• Educate staff through story-telling at lunch, or Talanoa
• Covering topics with both boys and girls about gender-based violence
• Attempting to make connections with the female youth in order to empower them in the village
• Use the PE/Music/Arts courses to teach culturally-appropriate women's leadership
• Use music to highlight gender differences in class through discussion

Often, this is as simple as adding an extra set of questions at the end of class. What did you learn? How can you apply this at home? How is how you apply it different from the opposite sex? Why does this song speak differently about girls versus guys? 

I've been working on teaching awareness about sexual assault, boundaries, trauma, resiliency, and reproductive health. Because I am a music therapist, I typically choose to do this through music; although, sometimes I use art and sometimes I do not use any creative arts techniques if I don't want to ingrain a scary topic into their head, like the definition of rape. I typically do not have access to where my students stand, so I have to teach to the middle and assume someone has been assaulted. I have to assume I will trigger someone. The statistic., according to the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, is that 64% of women, who have been in an intimate relationship will have been assaulted in some way. 

This topic is prevalent and it is powerful, but it is also, "taboo" or "tabu," in the Fijian language. Talking about sex is so scary and out of the norm, that it is almost anti-cultural. By using music, I am able to highlight the prevalence in the media and use a medium that is deeply rooted in the Fijian culture; it's also a safe zone. Using music from the USA typically allows me a little more room to talk about "tabu" topics because it's not quite as "tabu" in the USA. Typically, my students are fairly concrete learners and will take the songs used in class as literal meanings or they do not think about it much, if at all. This leads us into my "Blurred Lines" intervention; credit given to my former internship director, Tania Cordobés, MMT, MT-BC from the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County for the inspiration for this intervention. 

I will get my "music box" ready and pass out the lyrics to the students or write them on the chalk board. I ask the students to underline one line from the song that stands out from them. We listen to the song and generally, my students will start either tapping in rhythm on their desk or singing along because Fiji is such a musical culture. They will then ask me to play it "Again, Madam" or for the "reggae" version. This is a song they hear on the bus, in the community halls, during grog sessions and everywhere. 

I ask them to tell me their lines for the songs and then I write the definition for rape culture and victim blaming on the board. I ask what they think these two definitions mean in regards to this song. I will say that this song made international news and ask them to guess why, but all the while, we point out that it has a fun, catchy beat. At this point, they start to grasp the concept and we discuss consent. Typically, I use something similiar to the "tea video" (find it here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU) because they drink tea all the time here. 

And they get it. Some students even get disgusted at the song. 

We discuss why boundaries are important and what would they do if someone said this to them?

You're a good girl. I know you want it. Come on, just give it to me. Everyone else does. Be a good girl and do what you're being told to do.  

Typically, then the girls will say, "tell them no." 

Okay, but this guy... He isn't taking no for an answer. He keeps pestering you and he won't leave you alone. What do you do now?

Then they start to talk about real solutions. What can you really do? With the guys, I usually have to change the scenario a bit to if a guy was flirting with them to drive the point home. Then, I will state that how you feel, that is how girls feel when you say things that they don't want to hear. And we discuss. 

I'm not sure why this intervention works as well as it does. Probably because music is the language of adolescents. Probably because there are people who really deal with this all the time here. Maybe it's because this is a topic I'm passionate about. For whatever reason, it works. And I am so thankful to be trained to use music therapeutically. 

I hope this gives you some insight into the Fijian culture, Let Girls Learn initiative, and our Youth Empowerment project here in Fiji. Comment below with what kinds of things you do to include girls or women's empowerment into your work! 

Sunset Walk on the Coral Coast

At least once a week, I try to take a walk along the beach right before sunset. It models exercise and good self-care, plus the view is incredible. Please enjoy a virtual walk through my pictures below!

Last view of the daylight near the village by mine

 View of the coral coast during low tide

Another shot of low tide

The really cool rock sculptures that show during low tide

Trail from the horses

It's amazing how much the scenery changes every day

My Favorite Dish

Fijian Dhal Soup

Here is a recipe for one of my favorite Fijian foods and a staple in my house, Dhal Soup. Dhal is a spicy, curried lentil soup and it is just phenomenal. The measurements and steps are approximate, so feel free to improvise! I enjoy mine ferociously spicy, but you can skip the chilis. Dhal soup is relatively cheap to make, thickens without any additives, and is fairly nutritious. Please comment below if you try it at home and let me know how it turned out. Kakana Vinaka!

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp Turmeric Powder
• 2 cup Yellow Split Peas, Red and/or Yellow Lentils (I typically use yellow split peas)
• 8-10 cup Water
• 2-4 tbsp Oil or Butter
• Brown Mustard Seeds  (a pinch or two)
• 1-2 Chopped Onion              
• 2-3 Cloves of Garlic
• Extra Veggies

Recipe:

1. Pour lentils or split peas into a pot with water. 
2. Add Turmeric Powder.
3. Bring to a boil, uncovered, until it thickens to an almost porridge-like texture. I keep mine about the consistency of potato soup. Once it starts to thicken, you'll need to stir fairly frequently so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. This takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Start with 8 cups and increase to 10 as needed.
4. In a separate pan, add either the oil or butter to warm up. 
5. Add brown mustard seeds and onion to grill. Add garlic at the end in order to prevent it from burning. 
6. Add extra veggies to stir fry. You can use eggplant, pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, and/or chilis for spice. 
7. Add the grilled mixture to the soup and then let it boil for another 5 minutes. 
8. Enjoy with roti (indian tortilla), rice, extra chilis, or bread as you desire!

30 Second Elevator Pitch

When you work, or are preparing to work as a student, in a "newer" profession such as music therapy, (therapeutic use of music is actually mentioned in the bible, but that's a post for another day) your professors often remind you that you need to have a "30 second elevator pitch." Basically, describe your field using succinct language and realistic metaphors, within 30 seconds; when you can do that, then they advise you to begin tailoring your speeches to your audience.

My USA 30 second elevator pitch:

Music therapy is the therapeutic use of music by a credentialed professional. Music therapists require at least a four year degree, internship and passing a board certification exam. Basically, they use music to accomplish non-music goals. Sometimes those goals are like a traditional counselor, sometimes they are like an occupaational therapists, and many more. Music therapsts use music as therapy, instead of simply sitting and talking to a counselor for an hour.

The importance of this is because music therapy isn't licensed, music therapists, often have to fight for jobs and prove our effectiveness. You never know who you are going to meet and you never know who will be a door to your success or future career. Sometimes, I only talk about psychiatric goals and sometimes I talk about hospice goals... more than once I have had the chance to advocate for other professionals who are working in other populations.

Now, what does this have to do with Peace Corps? Throw about half the previously stated rules out the window because you are communicating in another language (that often you have not quite gotten the handle of) and reading an entirely new nonverbal language. You have to adapt, or as musicians say, improvise. Improvisation is really at the heart of what the entire Peace Corps experience is about.

Now, I'm not only talking about what I used to do in America, (although, that does get asked quite frequently), but I'm advocating about America, dispelling myths from movies, culture, and diversity. Very similiarly, I often have the chance to advocate for my other volunteers here after people ask questions like, "where are the volunteerrs" and "how many of you are there?" Volunteers in Fiji are often perceived as white tourists and as a PCV, I want to show that America is very diverse!

Let's focus back on diversity for a second... a word that can be kind of scary for your average white person from America. It's met with internal resistance and ignorance. Although, I don't think that's necessarily our fault. For example, I grew up in Missouri, which is 83.5% white (www.census.gov). You don't often know that you are surrounded by white privilidge until you are in a country, or new area, that's different. In Fiji, the population of caucasions is around 1%. Let me tell you... in this exaggerated form of privilidge, it is, at times, nauseatingly uncomfortable. Simply, because of the color of my skin.

There's nothing wrong with this concept and in fact it's part of the culture of Fiji that makes people love to visit because the people of Fiji are some of the most hospitable people that I've ever met. I'm simply making a point. White priviledge exists. And then I realized, how could I not have lived in white privilege, when I grew up in an area that was almost all white. There was nobody to even show me that it was a privilege because it was all the same. I can't change where I grew up, but I can change how I interact with others.

In Fiji, white privilidge means people don't sit by me on the bus and will sit on the step instead. It means that I'm assumed to have money and be a tourist. It means that my knowledge is taken as fact no matter what. I want to use this to advocate for the diverseness of the Peace Corps Volunteers. We represent all of America, not just white america. No matter what your skin color, if you come from America and are serving in the Peace Corps, you are American. Sometimes people here don't understand that someone who looks Asian can be, not from Asia.

For me, I use my 30 second elevator pitch to include diversity and why the N word is a bad thing. It means when people ask, "but you look asian/black/mexican" and are confused as to how they are Americans, then I can use that moment to talk about the diversity in how people come to be "American." It's that moment when you validate your fellow volunteer and try to yourself grow. After all, without difference, life would be pretty bland! Let's spice things up a bit.

-Much love, Kelli