jess•make•room

In 2011, as a fearless senior in college ready for an adventure, volunteering for 27 months in Ethiopia as a Peace Corps Health Volunteer was a no-brainer, and saying good-bye was so easy.

Now, almost 10 years later, I am preparing to serve as a Peace Corps Response volunteer in Zambia for 12 months. This time, goodbyes are tougher, perhaps, because I have many more meaningful relationships than my 22-year-old self. My friends and family are supportive of my decision, and some are more thrilled than me. However, even with their support and well wishes, saying goodbye is tough. Each goodbye reminds me of the journey that I am about to take and it’s frightening and exciting at the same time. A good friend said to me, “Jess if you weren’t a little afraid or a little anxious, I would be concerned”. Their words helped me understand that what I was feeling was normal. So, with that, I am saying farewell, friends!