On Monday, March 31, 2025, John Cabot University welcomed Addison Hollomon, a JCU alumna, who shared her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer working in Morocco.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Addison obtained her B.A. in International Affairs in 2023 and joined the Peace Corps the same year. Her decision was primarily driven by the desire to learn Arabic. She spent a year and eight months in a small village in Morocco where she learned the language and had the opportunity to interact with the local community, learn about their culture and in turn share her own.
In her presentation, Addison introduced and explained the various sectors where Peace Corps volunteers collaborate with their host communities. These sectors are education (mainly teaching English as a Second Language), community economic development, environment, health, and youth development. Addison chose education; she taught English to local women. She revealed that these classes have changed the lives of many participants, inspiring them to pursue their dreams.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, where students inquired about the application process, the challenges Addison faced during volunteer work, and how she dealt with isolation. Addison shared that, despite her confidence in being open-minded — shaped by her living in multiple countries and international settings — the reality of her volunteering was far more challenging than she had anticipated. She was the first Peace Corps Volunteer to have ever worked in her host community, and especially in the beginning, her presence was met with both curiosity and suspicion.
Many members of the local community, not accustomed to frequent interactions with other cultures, had preconceptions about foreigners and their lifestyles. For example, they were surprised to learn that Americans could be Black or Asian, or practice various religions. Similarly, Addison discovered that her understanding of Islam and the Qur’an was far different from what she had initially learned, providing her with a deeper perspective on the religion.
Addison admitted that living in Morocco is not easy unless one is deeply committed and has clear objectives in mind. Yet, despite the difficulties she faced, the experience proved to be both unique and rewarding. She had the privilege of meeting incredible people who welcomed her into their homes as an honored guest.
In conclusion, Addison highly recommended the Peace Corps experience, encouraging others to embrace the challenge and potential growth that comes from such a transformative journey.
