A reflection on Peace Corps service, cultural exchange, and the communities that shape who we become.

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As Peace Corps Week comes to a close, I find myself pausing to reflect on how those years of service shaped the course of my life. For me, that reflection begins in a place many people have never heard of, Kungrad, Uzbekistan, in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan. From 2003 to 2005, I served there as an Education Volunteer, specifically focusing on modernizing Uzbekistan’s English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program. I arrived fresh out of the University of North Texas with a BA in International Relations, but without any formal training as an educator and little working knowledge of Uzbekistan. What I found in Karakalpakstan, and what the people there taught me, set the course for much of my life that followed.

My assignment involved working with several schools in the region. Much of my time was spent with students who were eager to practice their English with an American, or just figure out what the lyrics to their favorite American pop songs meant. The rest of my time was spent collaborating with Uzbek and Karakalpak EFL teachers. Together we worked on modern EFL pedagogy, lesson design, and early introductions to technology in the classroom. In many ways, my role was less about bringing answers and more about sharing ideas and learning alongside the teachers who were........

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