I was prepared for the swearing in ceremony to be scripted and very formal. So wrong.
It was so touching and so very personal. Both American and Thai government officials spoke, two of our volunteers spoke at great length in Thai (very impressive). The partnership between the U.S. and the Royal Thai government was stressed and we are part of that relationship. Once we swore in, a very patriotic oath, a list of our names was handed over to a representative of the Thai government to symbolically place us in their care. There is no better care to be in. From host families to our amazing language teachers, to the entire Peace Corp staff to the co-teachers in our villages to the vendors in the local markets we have been warmly welcomed and people have been attentive to each need that they perceive (real or not).
I was especially touched by this paraphrased statement from Ms. Angsana Sihapitak, Deputy Director-General, of the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA).
“To be an American is something to feel proud of, to be a volunteer is something to be honored.”
Going through 10 weeks of intense training, living with host families, using only bikes for transportation, learning a new language and about a different culture was stressful, fun,
scary, hilarious, and like nothing I have done before. Swearing in and experiencing the warmth and invitation of Thailand and the Peace Corp was the only appropriate culmination for the entire process.
Group 124
The Peace Corp and Thai co-teachers in Nong Kai
The Peace Corp Thailand Country Director, David Claussenius
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