From College Of business to Senegal
Elizabeth Smith has gone a long way since graduating from the COB in August of ’06…all the way to Senegal where she is serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. Learn more about Elizabeth’s decision to serve and the amazing experiences she’s had so far.
Q: Choosing to commit to service in the Peace Corps might not be an idea people normally associate with someone majoring in business. What led you to make the decision to join that organization?
A: I’ve always loved to travel and trying new things, and have been interested in the Peace Corps since high school. When I was about to graduate college I really wanted to work internationally. I found out that the Peace Corps did indeed have a business program, so I decided to apply. I went to some informational meetings on campus and read some things about Peace Corps and really like the way it’s set up and run. The Peace Corps focuses on education and human resources more than pumping in money to finance projects that come from outside the community. I’ve always believed that the first step to solving any problem is through education. An educated people can then solve their own problems better than anyone else can.
Q: Describe what the application process involved. What sorts of things did you have to do and on what sort of a timeline?
A: I was scheduled to graduate college in August 2006 and began the application process in January of that same year. I finished that mid-February and then had a face-to-face interview on campus. At that point I was nominated and then passed a medical screening. Because I was a French Major I was pretty sure I would be going to West Africa (although I could’ve requested to go elsewhere). My placement for Senegal came just as I was finishing classes, so the timing it was perfect. September 18, 2006 I flew to Philadelphia to begin training. In all it only took 8 months which is a bit quicker than some people experience.
Q: What sort of training did you receive from the Peace Corps before reporting to your final destination?
A: All 51 volunteers in our group spent two days in Philadelphia for general information. Then we went to Thies, Senegal and trained for two months, with a main focus on language, culture, safety, security, health, and technical classes. During this time we also stayed with a family to learn about the culture and help us integrate into society. After the two months we swore in as volunteers and moved to our respective sites. At the beginning we were told to focus on improving our language, meeting everyone, forming relationships, and learning about the needs of our villages or towns. After three months we returned to Thies for an additional month of specialized training tailored as much as possible to our individual language and technical needs.
Q: Many of us know very little about the region in which you were assigned to work. How would you describe Senegal and the people living there?
A: They call Senegal the country of teranga, which means hospitality. This is one of the things that impresses volunteers the most. The Senegalese are the most open and warm people I’ve met. They will open their homes and share anything they have with those who need it. Even though I live in a town of 18,000 people, it’s very close-knit and everyone knows pretty much everyone else, or at least someone they’re related to. I’ve learned in poor countries it’s essential that everyone works together in order for the population to survive.
Q: How is your business expertise being utilized? What sorts of specific projects have you been charged with undertaking as a Small Enterprise Counselor?
A: The reason I my services were requested at my town was to help with a micro-financing project. The U.N. has chosen and will finance and train 17 motivated groups that want to start businesses. My role is to help with these trainings, then follow-up on with the groups by offering further guidance as needed. These trainings cover management, marketing, accounting, and inventory management. Since I’ve gotten to know so many of the groups, I can tailor my trainings to what they need and follow-up and work with them more closely than anyone who comes through just for a couple weeks or months. Sometimes all I do is meet with people and ask strategic questions to get them thinking about aspects of their business they haven’t considered or discussed with anyone. On the side I also teach computer classes and English to students.
Q: What are you learning from the people you’re helping?
A: Many things. I’m pretty sure I’ve learned more than I’ve taught. It’s funny how many people in my town like to quote the phrase, “Time is money” when discussing their idea of Americans with me. Here my biggest lessons have been in patience and sincerity—taking the time to meet people, listen to them, and exchange ideas. This is such an important step with working with anyone here, and cannot be skipped. I really like that.
Q: What are some of the biggest surprises you’ve had so far?
A: Well, though it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, but Senegal is so much more different and complex than anything they show in the media about Africa. Its cities have places that are as rich and modern as any city in the world. There are still many things about Senegalese culture that baffle me, but I feel so glad that I “get it” in a way that most people will never understand.
Q: What are three things besides family and friends you miss the most?
A: The lack of language barriers, cold weather, and forests!
Q: What are three things you never thought you could live without that you haven’t really missed all that much?
A: I had this crazy idea in my head that I’d be isolated in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, cut off from the rest of the world. I thought I’d miss communication and Internet and wouldn’t have much support at site outside of the villagers themselves. In truth, my region of Senegal has a great communication infrastructure and the Peace Corps community is one of constant caring and support. I’m lucky that if I’m having a bad day and need some advice, I can pick up my phone and call my mom back home or my closest PCV neighbor.
Q: What are your plans once you’ve completed your work with the Peace Corps? Are they different plans than what you originally thought you might do?
A: After this I want to live near my family for awhile. Maybe after good five or six years, I’ll be ready to live abroad again. As far as work, I change my mind almost every day.
Q: What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering serving in the Peace Corps?
A: If they’ve researched it and are interested, but worry that it will be too much of a change, or that they don’t have much to offer in terms of specific skills, go for it anyway. The worst that can possibly happen is they don’t like it and come home early. No penalties there!
Q: Is there anything you’d like to share with professors and students about the relevance of your coursework now that you’re using it in the real world?
A: I’m so thankful to all my IB professors. The international business program is spectacular, and very relevant to everything happening in the world today. We learned so many things about business, but the international aspect of the coursework led us to discuss how best to overcome differences in people that often keep them separated or at odds with other. This understanding is important for anyone who works in any kind of business.
Q: What is something you’d like readers to know that we didn’t cover?
A: Sometimes when I look over the last year I’ve spent here, I don’t feel like I’ve gotten much accomplished at all. Then I make a list of all the things that have been keeping me busy. I realize that I’ve made so much progress, but just not in the way we think of it in the United States. In the US we like to count things like hospitals and schools built or money raised and call that progress. It is, but real development is slower than that and, though it’s often less evident on the surface, is more solid but can’t be tallied. That’s what’s truly important.
If you are interested in communicating with Elizabeth she can be reached at smith.elizabethlynn@gmail.com. Photos documenting her life in Senegal are posted at www.flickr.com/photos/PaperPills.
