The Hero's Journey
Eric Regaspi: Guinea, Africa
When I look back at my time in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer twelve years ago, what stands out most is how it changed me and how it changed the course of my life in a good way.
In life, there are certain opportunities that offer many great experiences in a short amount of time. Being a Peace Corps Volunteer and graduating from the University of Florida are good examples. At each phase in one’s life you have to determine if this is the right time for you. I found that joining the Peace Corps a year after getting my BS degree from Florida was the perfect timing for me. I have since had a successful career as an engineer in the Foreign Service, and am a devoted husband and father, and there is no doubt that my service in the Peace Corps led me to where I am today.
For many, the decision to join the Peace Corps is extremely emotional. You may doubt if you are up to the challenges and worried about being away from friends or family. For me, this was my “Call to Adventure” or “Hero’s Journey”, as philosophy Joseph Campbell would say. Perhaps the Peace Corps is your calling, perhaps there is something else. Regardless, I believe that every young person should find out what their calling in life is and answer it. Otherwise, you will forever wonder about what could have been.
