Going to the local ethnic restaurant in your US hometown is very different than dining out in your Peace Corps host country. And Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) taking meals with Host Country Nationals (HCNs) is an experience in itself. Make the effort to learn the expected dining rituals in your host country. Learn the about…
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Our breathing patterns are often subconscious. When we are stressed, we anticipate something negative. Then our bodies go into fight or flight mode. Our breathing pattern changes. But this is not healthy to stay in that mode. We need to be conscious of when this happens. We need to learn how to go back to…
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Is there really a culture of food? Yes, food is a culture in itself. There could be generations of stories and traditions in the recipes, preparation methods, eating, and more. And the version of food at a restaurant in the USA is not usually the same recipe that you get in country. In the USA,…
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) shared some of their medical challenges with RPCV Health Crusade. Medical healthcare, prescription costs, and prescription medication access are consistently at the top of the list of concerns. According to academic researchers, the cost of medical challenges causes 66.5% of all bankruptcies in the USA. While employer-sponsored health insurance is…
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The USA is arguably one of the richest countries in the world. Yet, many in the USA cannot afford adequate medical care or prescriptions. Access to prescription medication can be limited. Many have to choose between the high cost of their prescription medication and other basic necessities like food or rent. For some, the largest…
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In the USA, indoor plumbing is pretty standard. We can expect hot and cold running water 24/7. But that is a luxury that some Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) do not have. However, it is not all or nothing with running water during your Peace Corps service. Be prepared for a variety of potential water scenarios.…
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Yes, there is an international gesture for help! But don’t jump up and call the police as soon as you see it. They may just want you to check in on them. But if it is someone you don’t know giving you that signal, then you need to get some immediate help. The person in…
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First, gather all the unused prescription medication that you no longer need. Second, check the label to determine what you should do with it. Do you have to dispose it? Or, can you donate that medication? If that medication has expired or was not correctly stored, it needs to be properly disposed. If the medication…
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Many of us have unfinished or expired prescriptions in the house. Over-the-counter medication also expires. It is not safe to keep them around. But do you know how to safely dispose medication? If you flush it or wash it down the drain, it ends up in the sewage system. Pharmaceuticals can navigate through the water…
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Many of us start the year with good intentions. We want to make positive changes. Some of those changes often include making health a priority. Every year, many of us make all sorts of new year resolutions. But are those resolutions achievable or are they too lofty? Do we forget after a few weeks? Did…
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