Jessie Maree Powers, 25, is teaching English in a small village in northern Kazakhstan, as a member of the Peace Corps.
To support her efforts in Shortandy, Powers, a graduate of Columbus High School and Mississippi University for Women, also has written a grant, based on donations, to purchase new teaching materials. Donations can be made by visiting www.peacecorps.gov and searching by Powers” last name under the Donations section.
Noting her classes at MUW — especially Dr. Thomas Velek”s class on the rise and fall of the Soviet Union — were “extremely helpful” for working with the people of Kazakhstan, Powers explained the joys and challenges of serving with the Peace Corps.
Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps?
I have always had a deep interest in traveling and learning about other cultures, since forever, really. I had done a year away from home before, which was awesome. Also, I wanted to give back to the world, as Americans can”t fathom how difficult a simple existence can be. In short, I wanted to change the world and put some more positivity out there. Who doesn”t, right?
What happened after you joined the Peace Corps?
I did an interview in February of 2008 and, in July, I got an offer to join the 20th group of volunteers to Kazakhstan that left in August (2008). At that point, you can accept the offer or decline and wait for another offer. I accepted. I went to a two-day conference in Philadelphia, Pa., and arrived in Kazakhstan (shortly after). Then we did three months of language training. Some learn Kazakh, but most learn Russian. I studied Russian for eight hours a day, six days a week and a Kazakh lesson on Sundays. It was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life!
Also, we lived with host families for this three months. I got really lucky. My (host) family was a mother and daughter. They had nothing, but they were some of the kindest people I have ever met. They had a sign with my name on it when I got to the village.
After the language training, we were all assigned a village or city where we will live and work for two years. We were assigned based on reason, although I think a dart and a map were more likely (the way we were assigned). I did say I wanted to go north. I always thought snow was super cool and beautiful, but here, for six months of the year, there is permanent snow and it gets down to 40 degrees below zero! I didn”t know it could get that cold. I mean, not where people live, right?
We were also required to live with a host family for the first six months at our respective sites, which helps with language (barriers), but it is stressful. These people are not your parents and have different expectations.
Tell me about your work teaching English in Kazakhstan. Do you feel welcomed by the people of Kazakhstan and are they eager to learn the English language?
I do feel welcomed, but these are not Southerners. They are former Soviets, so I get stares all the time and not many smiles on the street. But it has made me value all the smiles I can get!
I teach about 26 hours of English a week. My favorite grades are fourth and 11th. My students live in a village and most will never use English again, so I tend to gear our lessons to being fun and making the kids ask themselves questions about life and living and what they want for themselves, their country and the world. I also try to teach them about different cultures around the world to open their minds. I also have English Club twice a week. I do have highly motivated students, and I often do things in the capital city for motivated and more advanced learners. I love my kids here. They make me laugh daily and we talk about music often.
What do you find most challenging about your work in Kazakhstan?
The language, being the only (English-speaking) person in a village of only 8,000 people and the weather, for sure. I miss my family and friends, being fluent in a language and knowing exactly what is going on at all times. Also, I really thought I was going to end up in Africa, like 70 percent of volunteers do, and the Soviet mentality, which is more judgmental than the South, and the culture was stifled for so long. Now there is a new sense of nationalism, but very few know the history of it. And the food is bad bland and lots of meat. I”m vegetarian.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The kids and my counterpart, the woman I teach with, whom I owe my life to, many times over. There is a moment when you can tell that a kid gets what you”re talking about or you can make them feel good about themselves or get excited about learning and that”s magical.
What have your experiences in Kazakhstan taught you about yourself and how have they enriched your life?
I am tough. I”m definitely a Southerner. (My family are all Yankees; only me, my brother and sister were born Rebels.) I hate cold weather; it hurts! I can do anything, I guess, or at least, I am even more open to trying to do anything. I can speak Russian and get around pretty well. I will never forget this place and the kindness people have shown me.
Are there any misconceptions about foreign service or the people of Kazakhstan you”d like to address?
Americans, look at a map and think about the world outside of our country, sometimes. Be proud. Feel lucky to be born into the world we are and don”t waste the opportunities we have. These people are not all poor. There are super rich people here, too. They are not stupid. They have been through many hard times and survived. They are tough.
They don”t hate Americans and they are interested in meeting people from other places. They are developing; it”s a tricky process. Many people don”t have running water. Most have electricity, if not all. The people in the villages at least grow their own vegetables and milk cows. They work hard. Women here are beautiful. It is a diverse nation of Russians, Kazakhs, and about 120 or so other nationalities. They value peace and in this country, people have a strong sense of nationalism. I don”t really know what (outside) people think about Kazakhstan anymore; I guess I”ve been here too long.
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