June 16, 2013

Cuerpo de Paz Training: Week 1 down – 9 to go. 

Peace Corps’ training is living up to its claim of being intensive immersion.  There are multiple programs out there that claim to be “intensive.”  I have to say, nothing deserves the title more than Cuerpo de Paz Peru’s training.  This first week of training has been a combination of highs and lows, lots of rice, zumba, Spanish and Spanglish, and a good bit of exhaustion – oh, and did I mention rice?!?

As I arrived in Peru and began training, I was so excited to begin my language classes and improve my Spanish.  I am still enthusiastic to continue my progress from even this week, but I am learning how truly frustrating it can be to learn a language.  I have always had interest in being bilingual in English and Spanish, but language does not come easy for me.  There are some people who have a natural ability to learn languages.  I am not one of them.  However, I have been continually impressed with Peace Corps’ approach to teaching – at least for those of us at the beginner level.  In order to swear-in as a volunteer at the end of training in August, we must reach a language level of Intermediate – Mid.  So I have a total of 10 weeks to move up 4 levels.  We have another language interview assessment in week 4 and I hope to have at least moved a couple levels to encourage my studying and work. 

I know full immersion and constant practice is the best way to learn, but it is not easy.  As a person who likes to express myself verbally and a person who likes excelling in most things I commit to, starting at the bottom to learn Spanish is not an easy road.  There are so many times I have something I would like to share with my host family or language facilitator and I just simply do not have the words to.  It has started to wear on me to constantly feel stupid when people speak to me, saying seemingly easy things, and I have no choice but to respond with a blank stare and then a smile and say “No entiendo, lo siento.”  The day I understand what my 3-year-old host sobrina says will certainly be a joyous day for me. 

This week, the novice Spanish speakers began our one-on-one tutoring classes after our full day of training.  We had all somehow missed that this was happening so it was a bit of a shock when we had an extra hour of classes instead of our planned Insanity workout.  In the end, I am happy to have my one-on-one time with my tutor Claudia.

Along with language, our training also consists of learning about Peru – history, economics, culture, ect – youth development, and Peace Corps’ approach to development, security, ect.  It is a lot of good information, but it can be overwhelming to take it all in.  Luckily, there are a lot of things that are similar to my classes from my MSW so it is more a review than new information which is nice.  It is also a nice feeling to actually be using what I learned in the classroom and implement what I spent two years learning.   

After being at the training center from 8-6, I have dinner and conversation with my host family which usually includes helping me with my homework for training.  After that, I am incredibly happy to go upstairs to my room and go to sleep early. 

This coming week is a similar training schedule and also includes a classroom facilitation in a school one day.  I am obviously nervous for this but also excited.  We will be grouped with other volunteers who have higher language level and it is the first chance for the novice speakers to get in the schools so I am excited.  

Today is Father’s Day, or El Dia del Padre.  Father’s Day is a big deal here with lunches, parties, and celebrations beginning at work on Friday.  My host family is having a big lunch for the fathers in the family today.  As I think I have mentioned before, my host family finds it funny how I cannot eat as large portions of rice and food as they do so they have instructed me I am not to be on my “diet” just for today and need to be able to eat, eat, eat, and eat at the lunch for mi padre anfitrion. 

Also, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to mi Papa en EEUU!  Love you, Daddy!