Early in her life, Meg McGrath decided she wanted to be a Peace Corps volunteer: "I feel like being born in America, regardless of class, affords us opportunities much of the world never receives. My family didn't have much money but my parents did instill a love of travel in their three kids. I decided in high school to apply to the Peace Corps so that I could share something with the world."  

In 2000, Meg began her service in the Peace Corps as a Parks Wildlife & Education volunteer in the village of Ambatovaky, Madagascar.  While living in Ambatovaky, Meg was involved in several projects including work with a men's and women's artisan group to develop a museum about the local Betsileo tribe and a gift shop for visitors to the village (photo). 

Although Meg had decided to extend her stay in Madagascar for a third year, political unrest led to a country-wide evacuation of all Peace Corps volunteers in the spring of 2002. At the time of the evacuation the museum and shop were incomplete and Meg was away from her village. She wasn't allowed to return to explain her departure and had to leave the country without saying goodbye.

Upon her returned to the U.S., Meg launched a fundraising campaign so that she could return to Ambatovaky and finish the job she had started: "I raised money by producing a flyer with the story of the village and some photos of the people and place.  It was for a raffle of malagasy [craft] items and I sent it out to everyone I knew.  People really responded and within one and a half months I had enough money to go back and finish the projects. I went back [in the fall of 2002], we finished our projects, I explained what had gone on, said my goodbyes, and brought my dog home."

Meg now works in the Community Building & Environment Department of the non-profit organization Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) in East Boston, Massachusetts. Meg relates this job to her Peace Corps service, saying that, "project ideas come from the community and I am a sort of liaison to grants and such that make the proposals realities." She works with a group of 6 teenagers on environmental justice issues and works with the Chelsea Creek Action Group to develop and host programming at their new park - the Condor Street Urban Wild. The community group has done local clean-ups as well as events at the park - their most recent was a snowshoe clinic for the local children.

SFS Q & A: Meg Talks About Her SFS Experience

Q: Why did you choose SFS as a study abroad program? 
A: "Initially I chose SFS because they offered a program in Africa.  Unfortunately that program was full when I applied. When Africa didn't come through I almost scrapped the plan entirely.  Later, however, I realized it was about experiencing another culture and not just Africa.  I chose Baja and never once regretted going."

Q: How did your SFS experience influence your personal and professional development and goals?
A: "Being in Baja let me know that I could do whatever I set my mind to - I went without knowing Spanish and came home having friends that spoke no English.  It was educational classroom-wise but the real education came from the people."

Q: What did you gain from your SFS experience?
A: "I began to see that I could make it anywhere.  That if you challenge yourself, you're capable of anything.  Being in Baja opened my eyes to another culture - one with which I fell in love.  College students tend to live in a bubble and my semester with SFS burst that bubble completely.  It changed my world view. I've never reverted back."

Q: What advice would you give to a new SFS student?
A: "Don't get caught up on one location.  Go wherever you can and experience another part of the world.  Pack light and be open to different ideas."