Of course this is the photo they used for my featurette
At the end of service the volunteer magazine, Va Pue, publishes an exit interview with every Volunteer. Anyone who has been reading the blog will find most of this old news, but I figured I should throw it up here for posterity’s sake:
Did you have an apodo* during service? Peloncito**
*Apodo: nickname
**Peloncito: Little bald guy
Site and Sector: León, Small Business Development 63
Project assignment: Coaching entrepreneurship teachers; advising small business owners
Project reality: Biking around León from school to school, business to business
Most and/or least useful thing/experience brought into country: My friend gave me a money belt. When I got robbed the burglar did not realize that there was money in the belt that was in my bag and it saved me a few thousand Cordobas. [Read the full story]
What do you wish you had done here? Salsa dancing lessons or surfing
Most creative way you killed time in your site: I once rode my bike all the way to the beach from León
What books/podcasts/shows/movies did you get hooked on during your service that you would like to recommend to other volunteers? I watched all of How I Met Your Mother. I love the show, but the ending was a huge disappointment.
Most Nicaraguan habit you’ll take home with you: Waking up early. It’s 10:20 AM right now and my friends that I am currently staying with haven’t even stirred. I’ve been to the gym and showered already.
What will you miss six months from now? Probably some friends that I made. Also the heat. Definitely the heat in six months. It will be December.
What will you not miss six months from now? The noise. And my Host Mom. She could be kind of annoying.
How have you changed during your service? I am more Eric than I ever was before.
Did you ever want to ET? Yes, but I never seriously considered it.
Big plans for your readjustment allowance? Basically all of my money is going into grad school – tuition, housing, purchasing necessary stuff (wardrobe, new computer, etc.)
What’s next? Getting an MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Final words of advice: No Camps, No Grants, No Committees
Catch the full magazine at its blog
Other articles of mine that have been published (or redacted) from Va Pue:
We Want You to Work with the Nicaraguan LGBTQ Community!
The Power of Food Processing
Caribbean Coast Nicaragua Development Corporation