PCVs have many challenges to cope with, the obvious are moving across the world and leaving behind our friends and family, and then there’s the unforeseen difficulties, the spontaneous power outages, crazy sicknesses, unexplained diarrhea, and plenty of unwanted attention. Dealing with change can be difficult and it tests your ability to be adaptable and resilient. I have always described myself as resilient and adaptable because I grew up in an army family where life was sprinkled with PCSing, deployments, and changing schools.I came into Peace Corps expecting my ability to cope with change and challenges to make the transition easier, and although I have been able to adapt to life in a country, there are times where my resiliency is tested in ways I have never experienced.

To be adaptable, according to the Oxford dictionary, is being able to adjust to new conditions or to be modified for a new use or purpose. To me, being adaptable is embracing changes as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. In the Peace Corps context, I have adapted to bucket baths, creepy crawlers, and pit latrines. I am adjusted to not having air conditioning, running water, or internet access. I have a new purpose in life: I am teaching English, running a library, and building gardens. I have embraced cultural differences and adopted a new name (Lesedi). I approach every opportunity that requires me to adapt as a chance to grow as an individual, if I can embrace changes and difficulties I can bridge cultural gaps and form stronger relationships.

Resiliency is different. Resiliency is being able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. For me, resiliency is continuing when you want to quit, its taking control of your emotions and outlook. By being resilient, I stay positive. Two things have challenged my resiliency the most: living alone and unwanted attention. I’ve never been the type to get lonely, or be afraid at night. Unfortunately, recently I have developed difficulties sleeping due to an unwarranted fear of being alone at night. A series of bad dreams and being alone in my house has made it difficult for me to sleep. Luckily, listening to Friends on my computer and my night light help me get through the long nights.

Unwanted attention has also been an unanticipated burden. During our PST, we were made aware of the exhausting nature of unwanted attention, whether it be catcalls, marriage proposals, or professions of love, and I thought, “it can’t be that bad, just ignore them.” I now know, you can’t just ignore it. You can’t not hear what people are saying. Even with headphones in I can still hear people yelling at me as I walk by. I am fortunate that where I live I can walk along the street without drawing attention, but on the days that I do, when I’m traveling around or in a bigger town, I’ve experienced harassment, hollering catcalls and whatnot, and I have to be resilient and not hide away in my house. I have go about my day, I finish running my errands, and not acknowledge those that make me uncomfortable.

The good days out weight the bad. I have had so much fun meeting strangers and exchanging cultural. I’ve laughed with old ladies who don’t understand me and I don’t understand them. I’ve befriended children who run around the village. My land lady, who has turned into a mother and makes me feel welcomed and loved every day. She is a constant comfort, and in my one mini emergency, she was there for me instantly. I want to travel through Botswana and experience this beautiful country. I want to see new places and appreciate the culture and wildlife. Not only do I want to, but I have to do those things for me, and persevere through the challenges in order to have the best service for myself and get the most out of my time in Botswana and life as a Peace Corps Volunteer.