Why?

I've been asked by a few people why I am doing the Peace Corps. Sometimes all the asking, and the occasional "Oh my God, that's crazy, why are you doing that?" has me asking myself the same question. Maybe it's the angst and anxiety as I get closer and closer to the day I leave, but I've been doing a lot of thinking about the people that have been a part of my life through the years. It's weird to think that when I come home nothing will be the same. I won't be the same. My friends won't be the same. Many of my friends will have moved on to new things and won't be around when I return. It's comforting to know my family will still be around when I return, and although the relationships may change, I will always have a place to call home.

So, here's why. In college I minored in psychology. My junior year I took a class called Psychology of Well-Being. First of all, Well-Being is NOT happiness. Happiness is based on emotions, which can lead to trouble. Well-Being is a congruency of attitudes, behaviors, and emotions. According to Seligan, people can lead a "pleasant life", a "good life", and a "meaningful life". A pleasant life is the lower tier, and is associated with having fun. A good life is doing things that matter and connect you to your accomplishments and achievements. A meaningful life is the essence of you, a sense of meaning, and it connects you to a purpose. Up until now I have primarily led a "pleasant life". I would like to lead a more meaningful life where I can help others. This is why education has intrigued me.

I have also been blessed with a great life. I grew up in a close-knit family, I lived with relative ease, I had the opportunity to live and travel all over Europe (Austria twice, England once). I have been to three continents, and over 20 countries. For whatever reason, the universe has been good to me. It would be extremely selfish of me to continue to expect the universe to keep serving me a good life. It's time that I got out and did something for somebody else. College, graduate school, getting a job, it's all about me and nobody else. The Peace Corps is about giving back to the country and world that has provided me with so much. As JFK said "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

Now of course there are selfish reasons to do the Peace Corps. I desire an adventure. I always have wanted an adventure. Backpacking the Muir Trail was my adventure as a teenager, but I need something else. I'm not ready to settle down, find a wife, and start my 401(k) just yet. I want my adventure now, and there's no better time for me to go. I also receive a stipend, readjustment allowance, non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs, teaching experience (for when I return), opportunity to learn one (maybe two) languages. There are plenty of amazing benefits to the Peace Corps, it's a job that I do overseas. It's an adventure. I'd rather do the Peace Corps than be a waiter, or work as a temp, or be some administrative assistant in Washington. It's just so interesting. So yes, maybe it can seem a little extreme and crazy to some people. Backpacking across Europe is an adventure right? Sure it is, but someone who does that isn't learning a new language or completely immersing themselves into a new culture.

The point is, the Peace Corps fulfills many of my life goals. For better or worse, I will never forget the coming two years, and I will be doing something to help those outside of myself.

So yes, there's selfish and selfless reasons. Some people might say there's no completely unselfish act.