My challenge is that many of the solutions offered through textbooks or case studies are not applicable to Jakoruda’s work environment.

In September 2002, I began working in the small town of Jakoruda, Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the “Community Economic Development” (CED) program. In addition to being a PC Volunteer, I am also enrolled in the Peace Corps Masters International Program at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle. This program provided me with three university quarters of training in public administration. Upon completion of my time as a Volunteer, I will return to complete additional course work and a degree project
based on my field experience.

Before arriving in Jakoruda, I spent two months at the Peace Corps’ Pre-Service Training (PST), focusing on language acquisition and cultural adaptation, along with technical training focusing on development work and administration. Some of the topics covered were business plans; project proposals; needs assessment; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) Analysis; management structure; and other related themes. All of these subjects were covered in greater depth at the Evans School, but became less theoretical and more locally relevant while in training. One exercise required us to interview a local business owner, later submitting our analysis to this person with recommendations. In addition, the CED program introduced us to many key government and non-government organizations. Although information provided by the CED program was sometimes redundant to my academic training, it grounded what I had learned at the Evans School. This element of the training was especially important, as it allowed me to begin bridging the gaps between the academic theories, and the practicality of working in a foreign environment. As I left PST, I felt well prepared to begin my work at the municipality in Jakoruda.

I was anxious and naïve, armed with ideas and concepts that were as foreign to my colleagues as I was.

Unfortunately, upon arriving in Jakoruda, I was over-ambitious. I was anxious and naïve, armed with ideas and concepts that were as foreign to my colleagues as I was. In addition, my language skills were not developed enough for me to explain myself well. I was met with much speculation about my abilities from my colleagues, which damaged my own confidence. I had attempted to hurdle the initial relationship-building process, and do the work alone, without any of the necessary support that is needed to plan, execute, and realize projects.

Thankfully though, after this two month, “I can do anything” period, I came to my senses and began to learn who the “movers and the shakers” in town are, and who I can count on for support. In addition, I am finding that I can identify many of the key administrative problems, thanks to my education at the Evans School. My challenge is that many of the solutions offered through textbooks or case studies are not applicable to Jakoruda’s work environment. My strategy is to work on smaller projects, which set examples of problem-solving for my colleagues. A recent project was the development of community bulletin boards. In addition, I have focused on working with the youth of Jakoruda, as I feel young people are more willing and able to learn from me.

My education at the Evans School laid a solid foundation for comparative analyses. This is both a good and a bad tool, as Jakoruda and America are like incomparable apples and oranges. The Evans School clearly needs to emphasize differences in administrations among the world’s many cultures, as our former dean, Marc Lindenberg, encouraged. The Peace Corps Masters International program, and the Marc Lindenberg Center for Humanitarian Action, International Development, and Global Citizenship both exist thanks to his vision and leadership. Through these programs, future graduates of the Evans School, including myself, will be better prepared for work in global development and international affairs.




Contributed by Michael S. Stanislowsky, a Peace Corps Volunteer and graduate student at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.

To read another Global Envision article about the Peace Corps see California, Kazakhstan