Hola todos (Hi everyone)! My name is Tess Penders, I am 23 years old, and I am originally from Wethersfield, Connecticut. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in May 2023, I knew exactly what my next step was: I wanted to be a Peace Corps Volunteer! So, that’s exactly what I did; I am currently serving as a Youth Development Volunteer in the Dominican Republic.
So, what exactly do I do? Peace Corps Volunteers are people from the United States who are sent to volunteer in different countries all across the globe. When we get to our respective countries, we listen to the local people to see the ways we can best help out. Sometimes they want help with farming, sometimes with health, sometimes with making more money, sometimes with teaching… it all depends!
My town wanted help with teaching, more specifically, Spanish literacy, so I spend most of my days with second and third-graders who need extra help with reading and writing. Working with my students is my favorite part of my job, and I am so grateful I get to be a part of such a foundational phase of their learning journeys.
Other than teaching, a big part of my job as a volunteer is to be a learner! When I first arrived, I didn’t know how to cook, how to do my laundry, or how to speak Dominican Spanish very well. Luckily, my neighbors and friends have helped me to learn step by step. Their support helps me to be the best teacher I can be for my students, and has taught me that no matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn about the world around you.
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.
