Hola! My name is Sarah Crovella, and I am a Peace Corps Volunteer living in the Dominican Republic. I’m 23 years old and originally from Syracuse, New York, which is known for its cold, snowy winters. As you can probably imagine, moving to a tropical climate has been a big change. Growing up, I loved skating in the winter and running track in school with my sister. After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in mechanical engineering, I decided to join the Peace Corps to improve my Spanish, challenge myself, and support a community in a meaningful way.
The Dominican Republic is a sunny Caribbean island where people speak Spanish, enjoy delicious fruits like mangoes and bananas, listen to lots of music, and spend time on beautiful beaches. I have lived here for one year, and I will continue my service until next November. Back in New York, I have a younger sister I love spending time with, and here I now have a Dominican host family as well! I work as a teacher in an elementary school, helping students learn to read and write in Spanish. I mainly work with third- and fourth-graders, who love reading stories with me and also enjoy playing baseball and basketball. I love how friendly people are here, and I feel very fortunate to be able to explore the DR and visit other volunteers. I enjoy reading books, meeting people from different backgrounds, and I’m even learning how to dance bachata, a typical Dominican dance. I’m excited to share my experiences with you and to hear about yours, too!
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.
