Why North Macedonia

When I first applied to the Peace Corps, I kept it mostly to myself. I’d mentioned the idea in passing to my parents — more a casual thought than a serious plan — but I didn’t want to make any big announcements until I had something real to share. So quietly, I began the process: I filled out the application, wrote essays, and detailed my education, skills, and experience.

A few months later, I got the email: selected for an interview.

The interview was a thoughtful, hour-long conversation with someone from the Peace Corps team. We talked about my experience working in communities, navigating cultural differences, and managing projects with limited resources. There was a strong emphasis on flexibility, trust, and embracing a new way of life. I hung up the phone and just sat there for a moment, thinking, This could change everything.

The Invitation

Then came the next email — an invitation to serve as a Community Economic Development Volunteer in North Macedonia.

I had just 42 hours to share the news with my family, talk it through, and decide whether to say yes to the opportunity of a lifetime.

That night, I told my parents. It wasn’t a casual update — I just blurted it out:

“So… I got an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps.”

What followed was a rapid-fire explanation: where North Macedonia is, the realities of moving across the world, what the Community Economic Development sector does, and when I’d have to leave.

We talked about what it would mean — the commitment, the challenges, the distance. But we also talked about the opportunity, the purpose, and the adventure. It was ultimately my decision, but I knew I wanted their blessing. I couldn’t make such a life-changing choice without talking it through as a family.

What My Role Will Be

On September 20, I’ll begin three months of Pre-Service Training (PST), where I’ll live with a host family, learn the local language, and prepare for two years of service.

As a Community Economic Development Volunteer, I’ll work alongside municipalities, nonprofits, youth groups, and advocacy organizations to strengthen local capacity and create sustainable opportunities. It’s work that’s both strategic and deeply human — exactly where I want to be.

What’s Pulling Me In

It’s the combination of purpose and possibility that has me saying yes.

The purpose lies in helping communities identify and grow their own solutions to local challenges — supporting their vision, not imposing my own. And the possibility is found in the unknown: I have no idea what the next two years will look like, but I trust they’ll be full of connection, growth, and those small, everyday moments that leave a lasting imprint.

And yes… I’m also incredibly excited to learn a new language, discover the rhythm of a different culture, and fall in love with Macedonian food traditions.

A Few Fun Things I’ve Learned Already

In between research spirals and cookbook deep dives, I’ve come across a few fun and fascinating things about North Macedonia. The national dish is Tavče gravče, a slow-baked bean stew traditionally cooked in clay pots — hearty, rustic, and full of flavor. Bright red peppers are everywhere, often drying in long strings on balconies and doorways during the fall. There’s Makalo, a garlicky oil-based dip served with bread and stews. The region is also known for its agricultural richness — vineyards and vegetable fields producing grapes, peppers, and tomatoes in abundance. Macedonian cuisine blends Ottoman, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences, with dishes like ajvar, burek, šopska salad, and musaka making regular appearances.

Let’s just say: I’m already dreaming in peppers and clay pots.

Sharing This Experience as a Family

After I accepted the invitation, my mom surprised me with a gift: Macedonia: The Cookbook by Katerina Nitsou, with photography by Oliver Fitzgerald.

As a family, we’ve always bonded over shared meals — the prep, the cooking, the stories, and the laughter around the table. Before I leave, I want to host a small dinner where we attempt a Macedonian menu together. It will be our first little bridge between Florida and my soon-to-be home.

Photos of our meal to come.

Why This Feels Right

This isn’t just about serving in another country. It’s about stepping into something bigger than myself — using the skills I’ve built to contribute in a way that matters, while learning from people whose perspectives and experiences are different from my own.

And along the way, I’ll collect recipes, friendships, and stories — ingredients for a life I’m still learning to cook.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait to write more from the other side.

With heart,