Owen High School students recently had the opportunity to learn about life and service in Peru from Maggie Anderson, a Black Mountain native and current Peace Corps volunteer.

Maggie spoke with students in health science, Spanish, and history classes about her year of service in rural Cajamarca, Peru, a community in the Andes located about 9,000 feet above sea level. As part of the Peace Corps Community Health program, Maggie works to improve the health of families in rural communities through nutrition education and home visits alongside local health professionals. She has also taught English to students during summer breaks.

Students learned about Maggie’s experiences living with a host family, participating in cultural traditions, traveling throughout Peru, and adapting to daily life in a new country.

Maggie also shared what inspired her to join the Peace Corps: a desire to truly learn Spanish, live in another country, travel, and connect with people from different backgrounds. She encouraged students to consider the many opportunities available through Peace Corps service and emphasized one of the most rewarding parts of the experience: meeting people from all walks of life and all across the United States.

We appreciate Maggie taking the time to share her experiences and give our students a firsthand look at the opportunities available through Peace Corps service!