Cultural Identity Panel

Everyone has a cultural identity. Knowing where you come from can give you a sense of belonging and a sense of self.

Culture is all the things that make up a certain way of life or living. That includes all the beliefs and values, language, customs, style of dress, food, song, and stories that belong to a group of people. A person's cultural identity comes from the way they take certain aspects of each of the cultures they belong to and use them to shape and define who they are.

When one becomes a Peace Corps Volunteer, they live and work in another country. The foreign nationals whom they serve rarely have an understanding of American culture and the complex underlying variables that compose it.

How does a Peace Corps volunteer maintain and protect their cultural identity in an environment and amongst people who challenge their cultural sense of self? Can ones race, creed, gender or personal preferences affect their efficacy as a community organizer?

Find out first hand from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers:

Alissa Harvey: a Volunteer in the Republic of Georgia from 2010 -2012. She worked as an Education Specialist and a Public Health program manager.

Christopher Mullen: a Volunteer in Guatemala from 2006 - 2008 as a Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer.

Anthony Scavone: a Volunteer in Mali and Senegal from 2011-2014. Anthony served as a Community Economic Development Volunteer.