This update has been a long time coming, but there have been a lot of unexpected changes to my original plan.  I was originally going to go to Kyrgyzstan. However, two weeks before I was supposed to leave, I got a call that the cohort of volunteers heading to Kyrgyzstan this year was unexpectedly cancelled. I still do not know the exact reason but suspect it has something to do with government changes affecting Peace Corps staffing. I was given a day to choose between three countries (The Philippines, Mongolia, and Moldova). Ultimately, I chose Moldova (which meant leaving in a week!). This was a very tough transition for me, especially because of my interest in Central Asia and in Central Asian archaeology. I knew very little about Moldova and wasn’t sure if I was making the right choice. However, I can definitely say now I made the right choice, and I feel extremely lucky to be in Moldova.

    My site is Comrat, the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia. It has its own unique culture, identity, politics, and language that was completely unknown to me before coming here. And while the Gagauz language is visible, most people here speak Russian as a primary language, including my host family. However, the school I teach English at is unique in that it is the only school in the region whose primary language of instruction is Romanian. This is super cool and unique,  but it means that I have to work on learning two languages. And that I often hear upwards of four different languages on a daily basis! I am often very confused, but every day is interesting.

    I definitely wouldn’t be here without the Russian program at WashU. Your classes sparked my interest in this region of the world, and I’m so thankful for that foundation. Thank you!