Hola! Hello! My name is Kaitlyn, but my friends here in Guatemala call me Katy! I’m 23 years old and originally from Lancaster, California. After high school, I moved to Long Beach to attend California State University, Long Beach, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Geography. I became especially interested in climate change, the ways people impact our environment, and how environmental issues affect communities and our everyday lives.
During college, I spent a month in South Africa as part of an internship at a women’s shelter. My classmates and I planned and built a chicken coop and run and helped provide chickens for the shelter. The shelter also had gardens where they grew vegetables and herbal medicines to help provide food for the mothers and children living there. Getting to work on a hands-on project that directly benefited a community sparked my desire to continue learning and serving abroad.
After graduating in May 2025, I joined the Peace Corps and spent seven months serving in Samoa before being transferred to Peace Corps Guatemala. I have been living in Guatemala since March 2026, where I currently work with the Ministry of Agriculture on food security issues in a small community.
Outside of work, I’m learning Spanish and getting to know the people, traditions, food, and everyday life of Guatemala. Every day here brings something new to learn, and I love sharing those experiences with others. I want students to see that learning about the world doesn’t only happen in a textbook, it can start with being curious, asking questions, and being willing to step outside of what feels familiar. I’d love to share what life is really like in Guatemala, stories from my experiences abroad, and all the unexpected things I’ve learned along the way!
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.
