Early Service Conference

Apia, Samoa; Friday, April 19, 2013

                We’ve spent the last week in Apia for Early Service Training (EST). This is a week-long program of various technical trainings meant to facilitate integration into our villages and improve our teaching and classroom environments. We are on a two-week break between the first and second terms and EST is normally done after a few months of service in all PC programs worldwide. It allows PCVs a chance to experience their villages and begin working on their projects so that they can get more out of the technical trainings. We stayed at a new hotel and held the EST sessions inside of the Central Bank of Samoa building. The weather has been rainy which has been a nice change of pace from the extreme heat and intense sun.

                Training began on Monday with a sharing session in which all the PCVs were given about 15 minutes to share their successes and challenges. This session was encouraging. It helped me realize the negativity I was bringing into my work and my village and refocused my energy on the positivity I was experiencing and bringing. Throughout the week we had technical trainings including Error Correction, Visual Aid Ideas, Library Organization and Activities, and my own session on Beginning Writing: 4-Square Writing. We wrapped up the week with a session on how to report our work to Peace Corps Headquarters. EST really helped me to reset my expectations and goals to be more successful in my village. Also, during EST we had another Language Proficiency Assessment. Afterward, the assessor told me that I had noticeably improved and that he felt like he was talking to a Samoan who lived abroad. I think it was a bit of an exaggeration but I definitely appreciated the feedback considering I felt like I didn’t improve at all during the first term.

                During the first week of the break I spent some time in the village, had a day at a local resort with fellow PCVs, and took an overnight trip back to our training village to see my host family there. The break was much needed. I definitely feel refreshed. The resort day with the other PCVs was entertaining. We had a barbeque on the beach and stayed up late swimming and letting lose. I stayed one night in my village and then went to Upolu, the main island, to travel to Utulaelae. It was incredible to see my old host family, especially my two host brothers, Asuelu and Vita.

                The hotel we’re staying it is actually the closest to a western style hotel that we’ve stayed in—it has a TV, a mini-fridge, and a telephone in each room as well as a bar in the central patio. It’s also located centrally and is within walking distance of the banks, shopping, restaurants, and training facilities. We’re all quite happy with it. The only issue has been the weather. It’s been raining non-stop. But I actually have been enjoying it. It’s reminded me of Autumn showers and studying in the library during undergrad.

                Again, this has been a very needed rest. I feel excited for next term.