America: More Than Just New England

I feel strange saying this, but I’ve seen more of the world than the United States of America. I was born in Rhode Island, raised in Connecticut, and attended college in Washington, D.C.  Additionally, my siblings currently live in/around New York City. I’m an East Coast gal who never had the desire to explore the rest of the country. Although the travel bug bit me at a young age, my thoughts were always global, never local. All I ever wanted was another stamp on my passport so I therefore headed to places like Peru, Italy, France, and China in an attempt to add to my collection.

My New England upbringing caused me to have a very skewed image of what the “average American” is. Back home I surrounded myself with people who think like me, talk like me, and even walk like me (at lightning speed with no time for BS).  I filled my life with young, educated, liberal minds (mostly from New England) that agreed with me rather than challenged me. When I looked at a map of America, my eyes went straight to the Northeast ignoring the vast areas to the left of it. It’s not that I disliked the other parts of the country, I just had no idea what kinds of people were living there and so I never bothered to look.

This is what America looked like to me before Peace Corps Indonesia

When I joined the Peace Corps, I knew I was going to interact with people different from myself, mainly Indonesians.  It never occurred to me that I would be meeting volunteers who came from different cultures as well. Yes, we’re all Americans but boy are we different! I’ve learned more about America while living in Indonesia than I did while living in America.

My first eye opening experience happened during training when I was talking to a true Southern girl from Alabama. She stated that she didn’t believe a woman should be president. She believes that women are too emotional and those emotions negatively affect her work ethic. I wanted to shout in disagreement, but she pointed out, “Women have yelled at me for this and all I can say is, ‘You’re proving my point.’” I closed my mouth, thought about it, and nodded. I accepted the fact that we are allowed to disagree. That’s what a democracy is. 

My fellow volunteers have not only fueled my need for heated political discussion, but they have also taught me about local culture in different parts of America. My friend from a small town in Ohio once described the local wedding customs from his hometown. According to him, if the younger sibling from the family gets married first, then the older sibling must dance in a cow crib until the crib breaks. I rolled my eyes and jokingly told him to shut up. I honestly thought he was making the whole thing up, but of course he wasn’t.

Interacting with other Peace Corps Volunteers has made me realize how vast and diverse America is. Now I look at a map and think, “Hm, so that’s what’s going on over there.” I’m only one year into my service and I have been able to get close to a lot of different Americans. I can’t list everyone, but here are a few of my favorites.

A hard working Eagle Scout from Minnesota who just LOVES Paul Bunion

A Wisconsin girl who is the youngest of 4 girls (like myself!)

A special education teacher from Ohio who runs marathons like it ain't no thang

A home schooled Tennessee rock climber who is one of seven children

An animal rights activist oozing with musical talent from Northern California

A Floridian that played for Tulane University’s football team

A human rights advocate from New Mexico who wrote a song about her car

A dancer and hardcore feminist from Chicago
An introverted Atlanta girl who can rap along to any Ludacris song 

A smooth-talking Californian who comes from an army family

A recent Loyala U grad from St. Louis who can turn every situation into a party

A man from San Fran with a dark but hilarious sense of humor

A Jersey man who frequently checks into “the mansion”

An outdoorsy Seattle native with a quirky story about his ankle tattoo

A Cleveland girl who used to teach in South Korea

A farmer’s daughter from the flat lands of Illinois

A yoga enthusiast dedicated to public service, hailing from the Midwest
A Northwestern U. alum raised in a single parent household and who is secretly an honorary American U Eagle. ;)

Two of my favorite PCV's. Lindsey (left) from the Midwest and Zoe (right) from the West Coast. And yours truly in the middle hailing from beautiful and quaint New England.