Hi there! My name is Anna, and one year ago, I packed my bags, took a deep breath, and jumped into a whole new adventure. In December 2025, I became a Peace Corps Volunteer and moved from Washington State all the way to North Macedonia—a small country with big mountains, long history, and an even bigger heart.
Before joining the Peace Corps, I spent six years working at Washington State University, so my path to volunteering wasn’t exactly the usual one. But I’ve always been a lover of the outdoors—a hiker, a climber, a mountaineer—and something in me knew that North Macedonia was calling. More than 80% of this country is covered in hills and mountains that hold thousands of years of history. Imagine standing somewhere and realizing that Romans, Byzantines, Jews, Muslims, and many other cultures walked the very same paths you’re standing on. One of my favorite chapters in this story takes place at Stobi, an ancient city filled with mosaics, ruins, and secrets from long ago. I’m working with the National Institute Stobi archeological team to help protect this site and to build partnerships with universities in the U.S. and around the world.
But my everyday life happens in a small farming community, where people grow grapes, peaches, peppers, and all kinds of delicious food. Working with local farmers has shown me how important agriculture is here and how much potential the region has for new ideas, learning programs, and even tourism. I hope to be able to help farmers strengthen their skills and build new opportunities through connecting them with field and research experts.
If there’s one message I want young students to hear, it’s this: your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You can work in one field for years, like I did, and then completely change course. You can mix your passions—maybe nature, science, art, sports, or curiosity—and use them to help people in ways you never imagined. And the best part? Anyone—yes, even you—can be the hero in those stories.
I hope my adventure inspires you to stay curious, ask big questions, and maybe even explore someplace unexpected. You never know where your own story might take you next.
Peace Corps Volunteers like me live and work side by side with community members around the world, collaborating on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives for generations. Learn more by clicking here.
