In the Kyrgyz Republic, where Brandon Lundberg
and Elba Bermudez-Lundberg are serving as Peace Corps volunteers, they
are novabrachnava.
In France, where the couple met on a study abroad program through their
universities, they are jeunes maries. In Elba's hometown of San
Juan, Puerto Rico, they are recien casados. And in Brandon's hometown
of Durango, Colo., they are newlyweds.
This international couple recently
celebrated their second year in marriage, and their fourth language
endeavor.
However, undertaking Russian as a new language is not
the only adventure for this young couple. Following Brandon's completion
of his master's degree, and right in the middle of Elba's graduate
work, both at Denver University, the two decided to join the Peace Corps.
They were invited to the Kyrgyz Republic, and embarked on their journey
in September 2003.
Brandon continues his work at the
university level. However, this time he is a professor at Bishkek Humanities
University, instead of a student, a status to which he had grown accustomed
at the University of Denver, where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate
degrees. Brandon teaches business English and courses such as basic management,
international economic relations, and two international finance classes.
Elba
works with the Central Asian Craft Support Association, which hosted the
Festival of Peace and Respect to encourage understanding between former members
of the Soviet Union.
For the couple, the Peace Corps is just one step toward
accomplishing a long list of goals, all involving international service.
Brandon aspires to join the Foreign Service after the completion of his
Peace Corps service, while Elba hopes to attend law school or work on
international development once she receives her master's degree.
Brandon
and Elba both say their Peace Corps experience has helped them to grow–both as individuals and as part of a couple.
"I think the experience is just making us better people," says Elba. "Every
day I can see how our relationship has just grown with going through this experience.
I would never in my life have been able to experience [this growth] if I wouldn't
have been doing this."
Brandon and Elba talk about the support system they have
in each other during their Peace Corps experience. They both say it is nice
to have a companion, someone to talk to after a tough day, or someone to
hug when there is a language or cultural breakthrough.
Elba says having
Brandon with her is much different than writing an email home, or writing
emotions down in a journal. Serving as a married couple with Brandon
means that she has someone with whom to share the same experiences, fears,
and goals.
Over the past year, the Peace Corps has made it a priority
to identify sites where married couples can serve. Currently, over
350 married couples, approximately 10 percent of all volunteers, have
dedicated two years of their lives to the Peace Corps and serving others
around the globe. This is a 26 percent increase in the number of married
couples who served in 2003.
Peace Corps service continues to be a rewarding,
enriching experience for married couples. In all cases, both spouses
serve as volunteers and live and work in the same community.
Learn more
about serving in the Peace
Corps as a married couple.
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