When I graduated UNH I had my Bachelor degree in microbiology and was excited to begin a career path in laboratory research. Once I started working in labs I realized that I was enjoying the science and research, but longed for more interaction with people. I came across an ad for Peace Corps and I knew that it was for me—it fed my interests in people, travel, and volunteerism. I left the comfort and security of a job, an apartment, and my community of friends and family, not knowing what I was in for, and am so glad that I did!

I served as an education volunteer in rural Uganda. I worked with primary school teachers from 37 schools to help them implement programs set up by their government. I worked with a teacher to setup a library and paint murals at the center school, and with another to implement a music, dance, and drama production at 10 local schools. I was invited to speak with school groups about the US, and about the biology of an HIV infection. My interactions with the local health workers, teachers, and parents gave me an appreciation of the challenges faced in such a rural setting.

Erin Morehouse Members of a school community gather under a mango tree to watch a presentation as part of a music, dance and drama tour.

Since this work did not take up all of my time, I interacted with local children, practicing yoga, cooking, playing, and helping them with school work. They taught me a lot, and showed me that kids in the village were no different than kids in the US. They loved to make up games and use random objects as toys; they had a lot of responsibility, but also had a lot of fun.

During my time as a PCV I learned about the profession of Public Health, which combined my interest in science with my interest in people and their wellbeing. A lot of my work in the village was tied to Public Health without knowing it at the time. I enrolled in a Master of Public Health program once I returned to the US, and was amazed to find so many other RPCVs who were professors, students, or Public Health professionals. I now work in the field of Public Health with a project which gives technical assistance to Global Fund grant recipients. I don't think that I would be engaged with this project on the same level if I hadn't been able to live amongst people who these programs aim to help.

One perk of being a PCV that I hadn't considered before my service are the incredible friendships with the PCVs I served with. I now have friends all across the US as well as the world. A second perk are the active RPCV groups around the country. I moved from Boston to DC a few months ago, and have found lively RPCV groups here to help me become acquainted with the city. Peace Corps gave me confidence in myself, a new perspective on the world, and a group of friends who are unlike any others.

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