As North
Americans, most of us grow up with the mentality that we can pursue anything.
From a very early age, whether it’s through the encouragement of our parents,
teachers, or mentors the idea that the “sky is the limit” with regards to our
future is ingrained into our psyche. This type of support is what pushes many
of us to work hard and eventually excel at what we deem is our life’s ambition.
Ironically, the idea of endless possibility can often lead to crippling indecision,
as we are often faced with the question: “If I can do anything I want, how do I
choose?” Unfortunately, there is simply not enough time to sift through the eternal
options in a single lifetime.
The
majority of Peace Corps volunteers are recent college graduates. Many have
chosen this two-year plus journey because it is an ideal limbo to spend endless
hours obsessing over whether to further pursue the focus of their undergraduate
studies at a professional level or to take a different path. More importantly,
it is an excellent opportunity to explore passions and develop skills upon the
blank canvas that constitutes our work plan. There are even some volunteers who
have higher and more specialized degrees, but are still not completely sure
what they want in terms of their next career step. This is not to say that some
volunteers don’t have a vision with regards to their occupational future.
However, I find it highly unlikely that anyone chooses to remove themselves
from their current situation to enter a foreign environment for this length of
time if they are completely confident in their next career move. Our willingness to
part with comfort and career predictability is what
drives us to plunge into the vortex of uncertainty that is Peace Corps.
Nicaraguans
in my site will often question me about my “carrera” (similar to an
undergraduate major). When I tell them I studied Biology, many are confused as
to why I have taken a job as a health educator. “Why am I not working in a lab somewhere?” Furthermore, when
asked regarding my plans are following Peace Corps Nicaraguans are perplexed by
my answers ranging from a desire to return to a starving artist life in New
York City to the pursuit of a Masters in a field different from my
undergraduate career. In
Nicaragua, as in many other countries, the idea of a liberal arts education is non-existent.
As early as the age of 16, Nicaraguans who decide to pursue higher education
must choose their future career, as the majority of University education is
focused towards technical training in one’s desired field. As having been an unsure and immature
teenager I find it quite difficult to imagine having had to settle on a professional
path at that point in my life. Although my inability to make a definitive decision
at this time with regards to my future often causes unwanted stress and
anxiety, I realize that the alternative of having been locked into a career
choice (most likely medicine) at a young age would have left me feeling trapped
and unhappy.
I have observed
that if Nicaraguans are disappointed with regards to their studies it is not
because they were bound to follow one specific course of learning, but rather
that they were limited in this choice due to financial reasons. For instance, I have met a number of
people who have expressed an interest in becoming a doctor, however they have
settled on becoming a nurse, as it requires the use of less economic resources.
Still, the notion that one has an opportunity to continue their education,
regardless of the field, is generally embraced. I used to waste countless hours
expressing regret for my choice of an undergraduate major, yet my time here has
made me realize that unlike many Nicaraguans, I have many options and the
freedom to consistently change my mind and reconstruct my desired path. Additionally, I connect this realization
with regards to my service. Although at times I may be frustrated with the lack
of structure, I know that I wouldn’t have it any other way. The idea that I can
constantly reformulate the contents of my work gives me the inspiration to
continue taking risks and exercising the creative process. The notion that no
decisions are permanent gives me the confidence that no matter what I pursue
with regards to my future I will be successful and satisfied, simply because of
the fact that I had a choice.
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