A New Beginning Although I was scared again, I wasn't completely starting over. At this point I spoke Romanian and had acquired a feel for the culture. Also, a former volunteer had introduced me to a few locals my age, not to mention I had moved only twelve km away from my old village, where I had trusted friends. I could visit Cojusna often, and on the first day of school in my new town, five of my former students showed up on my doorstep with a handful of flowers (it is a Moldovan tradition for children to present their teacher with flowers on the first day of school), apples, hugs, kisses, and warm words of "our school just isn't the same without you." It meant a lot to me and of course made me wonder if I had made the right decision by leaving. However, after a few months in my new community, I knew that I had taken the rational route. During the second year I taught fifth through eighth grades and I worked with another English teacher with whom I became friends, professionally and personally. Her family took me right in, calling me their American daughter. I had wonderful neighbors, who came to my aid when my apartment was broken into, when my electricity was permanently cut off, and when one day brown water decided to unexpectedly surge from the kitchen faucet when I wasn't home, overflowing into the downstairs apartment. We had tea together and taught each other card games. They were a terrific surrogate family. There was also more of a social circle my age in Straseni. My life seemed normal-almost. Regardless, I was happy. At least once a week I went into the capital to visit American friends. We watched "Ally McBeal" with Romanian subtitles on television. We shared funny stories of what had happened over the past week, and we dreamed of reuniting with our families back home. Once the school year ended, I was free to vacation at the Black Sea and travel with friends to the countryside. I worked with Moldovan University students at summer English camps for children, which were very successful. I spent time with my students, feeling free at that point, having attained the balance of role model and friend. Many beautiful relationships came from all the effort put toward understanding their culture, feeling professionally worthwhile, and finding comfort in daily life in Moldova. I realized that life was slower and small accomplishments needed to be considered mountainous. There were people who appreciated me and people from whom I gained wisdom. I hadn't needed to "help" people in Moldova, just open their minds and hearts to something bigger, and allow them to do the same for me, which they did. So would I say that Peace Corps was the toughest job I ever loved? I'm not sure about that, but it certainly was the most arduous job I ever learned from. I think that the most important insight I gained in Moldova is that there is always more to learn and progress to be made, no matter where you come from. Communism, independence, economic crisis, anxiety, loneliness, or confusion-giving up is not a choice. Open your mind and heart. Learn, and the future will unfold. Elizabeth Moran '96 received a BA from Trenton State College.