What follows is my aspiration statement that was sent to the Peace Corps Honduras desk. The Peace Corps asks that we write these statements for the host country due to the fact that they do not receive much of the information the Peace Corps has already collected on each volunteer. These statements allow for some sort of familiarity with the motivations, abilities, and aspirations of the volunteer before they arrive in the host country. Also, be sure to check out my tips on writing your own aspiration statement 5 Tips on Writing Your Peace Corps Aspiration Statement.

Nothing is as complicated as it is perceived to be. This thought has gradually developed into one of my core beliefs over time. Because of this, the foundation of my being is a collection of attributes that do not leave any room for the contemplation of impossibilities. Unfortunately, I realize that I may not always strive for excellence in everything that I do. But when I believe that what I am doing is important, there is nothing that discourages me from its realization. My determination is not quelled by belittling voices. My attention to detail is not disturbed by an overwhelming amount of information. My exhaustiveness does not dry up, no matter how many dead end roads, and my perseverance is not blocked by even the largest of mountains.

I am looking forward utilizing these life lessons during my time in the Peace Corps. I understand that the art of preparing oneself for the Peace Corps is toeing the fine line between expectations and realities. There is much to be done in Honduras, and one more able body for two years will not be enough to quench the people’s thirst for a better collected life. Solving every problem in the country, or my community, is not my goal. Instead, my goal is simply to sustain the determination to help in every possible way. Whether it is by building a latrine, facilitating cooperation between two opposing groups, or by simply putting a face to Americans during a time in which stereotypes abound, I plan on doing all that I can to assist my community during my two years of service, without thinking about my limits.

Success depends on the strength of personal relationships, and personal relationships are built on trust. Because of this, my primary goal during the first stages of my service will be to build the relationships that will facilitate cooperation throughout my two years. One of the ways in which this will be accomplished is by committing myself to the indefinite improvement of the community. I will also build trust by immersing myself in their culture and demonstrating that I am willing to work within those parameters. Building meaningful and trustful relationships, above all else, is my strategy for working effectively with my colleagues in Honduras.

My ability to adapt to new cultures is rooted in my essence. My father’s family is entirely Italian American. All four sets of my great grandparents came over from Italy around the turn of the century, and because of that they lived in a world that looked just as Italian as American. To add to this, my paternal grandfather’s job moved the family around the world, spending significant amounts of time in Germany, France, Brazil, and the Congo. Their stories live in my imagination, and because of them, I have never let my physical surroundings bound my mind to its geographical location. On the other hand, my mother’s family is almost entirely from the American South. While they did their share of moving as well, due to the military, their hearts and minds remained in the south no matter where they were, and that is where they mostly remain. These varied tributaries of my background join to make a sea of diversity in my mind and in my essence. Because of this, I have always been interested in that which all cultures have in common, in spite of their differences. That is what drove me to study Latin American Politics, Latin American History, and Spanish at the University of North Carolina. That is why I studied abroad in Mexico during the spring of 2008. It is also why I am interested in the history of my own country and state, and at the same time it is the reason why I have traveled to countries such as Colombia, France, and Italy. Most importantly, it is one of the forces that pushed me to join the Peace Corps.

As my life continues, I realize that I will always have more questions than answers. I know I have much to learn about everything, and the skills needed to fulfill the duties of a Peace Corps volunteer are no different. From my Peace Corps training, I hope to gain the technical skills needed to be an effective member of an agriculturally rooted society. In order to carry out my duties as a Protected Areas Management Advisor, I will need to further my knowledge of Honduran ecosystems, and learn how they function, their current statuses of preservation and/or degradation, and their importance to Hondurans and the regional environment. To work with local governments, NGOs and local businesses, I will need to delve into the nuances of the political and gubernatorial systems of Hondurans and how they interact to effect the protection of the environment and the well being of Hondurans.

The only thing I am certain about with respect to how the Peace Corps experience will affect me is that, without a doubt, it will be a life changing experience in many ways. I know that one career path that interests me is the field of environmental protection. I also know that, no matter what the field I end up working in, I will want to be making a positive impact on the world. My experience will give me a head start in learning how to cope with obstacles, how to circumvent barriers, and how to overcome what may be considered impossible. It will also be very humbling in sorts, as it will teach me the amount of work that is necessary to accomplish a seemingly small feat. However, I am sure that in the end the results will far surpass the prices. The hardships, victories, and relationships will help me to develop myself as a person as well. In the same way I am unsure of the future of my life’s work, I also know there are things about myself that I am currently unaware of. Some of these are certain to be revealed during my time in Honduras. I know that Peace Corps service not only affords me the opportunities to give to the community with which I am living, but also to get to know myself. By both of these tasks I am entirely humbled- and exceptionally excited.