Interview with Courtney Lobel, October 15, 2021

Interview Summary

Courtney Lobel, Bulgaria 2005-2007, Lobel looked for a change in her life trajectory after college. Lobel’s group was comprised of people from across the US, exposing her to people different than she is, an “eye-opening” set of experiences. Lobel was committed to becoming fluent in Bulgarian, and requested living in a remote village with no other Volunteer so that she could truly assimilate into Topolovgrad as a Youth Development Volunteer. Her goal was not to be considered special, for people to be used to her being there. There, Lobel was awarded several grants which she wrote; initially, one paid for renovating municipal space for a youth center, and one paid for computers for that center complete with wifi for community residents. Other projects included celebrating Earth Day, creating a youth parliament in which kids would shadow elected officials, presenting a play about human trafficking, and an Around the World in English program complete with fake passports for the kids. While working with municipal officials, she learned “to hold her own” with people in power. And, in the process, gained much self-confidence. Joining Peace Corps was “the smartest decision in my life.”

Interview Keyword

Bulgaria "Eye-opening" Fluent Topolovograd, Bulgaria Youth Development Grants Youth Parliament Human trafficking Power

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Interview Usage

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