Fix up Look Sharp

Last week was MST (mid service training). It was ok, sort of lame. But all volunteers from my group, Kaz 19, were there - so it was cool to see everyone and check in on how they are doing. By now most volunteers are pretty settled into site and going on projects and whatnot. There was one really interesting session, which addressed navigating stereotypes. Unfortunately when last years group left, during their Close of Service conference they expressed some concerns about acquiring cultural resentments that they did not come to country with. This is a really disturbing idea, and sort of hard to write about. I don’t really know how to best describe it. Maybe for example: a female volunteer living in a small traditional village, where their views on gender equality are not quite as progressed. This volunteer is going to be without a doubt offended. So the problem and issue is reconciling a situation similar to that in the context of the culture as a whole. It also brings up a lot of questions also of cultural relativism and morality, and questions of a defined right and wrong. And its not just about women’s rights, it extends to gender roles, and what’s expected of men, and sexuality, to name a few. Peace Corps Kazakhstan can be tough, but not really in the sense of eating bugs and whatnot. A lot of people were having emotional and psychological problems regarding issues like these, and trying to negotiate them alone (its sort of weird to imagine how sort of draining it can be being a foreigner with limited vocabulary alone and craving a dialogue). I thought we had a very effective conversation vocalizing these thoughts and talking about the history of Kazakh culture, specifically with Soviet influences. Also how if a Kazakh person was put into some places in America he would be just as shocked to see how insulated and narrow our worldview can be. I know it might sound heavy, and some people are a little down about it – but all in all everyone’s spirits are high, and I am just mentioning it because to me its interesting. Anyway, get pumped. Check out the hot track below. With all the volunteers gathered, we helped out some local friends with a charity concert. Dig it. *scarves courtesy of the lovely and talented Treva Kramer*