Manasquan Resident To Begin Peace Corps Service In Panama

MANASQUAN – Rachel McCarthy, 24, of Manasquan has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Panama on Feb. 24 to begin training as an English Co-Teaching and Critical Skills Facilitator.

“I believe that this is a really unique opportunity; I am attracted to being a part of a community in this 24/7 job,” said McCarthy. “Peace Corps works ethically with the host country to provide a sustainable route to development. This means making sure host country nationals have a leading hand in determining the work that is to be done. It is imperative that we as volunteers work side-by-side and integrate with locals to fulfill the certain needs of the community.”

McCarthy is the daughter of Madeleine McCarthy of Manasquan and a graduate of Manasquan High School. She attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and modern languages (Spanish/French) in 2017. Prior to joining the Peace Corps, she worked in El Salvador as an art teacher at the REMAR organization and as an English teacher at El Zonte Arts and Learning, Inc.

During the first three months of her service, McCarthy will live with a host family in Panama to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the necessary skills to assist her community, McCarthy will be sworn into service and assigned to a community in Panama, where she will live and work for two years with the local people.

“I am really excited to have found a role in which I can help realize certain sustainable education goals with an esteemed organization,” said McCarthy. “Educational development is an extremely important part of international development. When children (especially girls) have access to proper education, the quality of life for the whole population goes up. I would also like to take this opportunity to become a better teacher! I am excited to have so many people to learn from and the opportunity to keep developing.”

McCarthy will work in cooperation with the local people and partner organizations on sustainable, community-based development projects that improve the lives of people in Panama and help McCarthy develop leadership, technical and cross-cultural skills that will give her a competitive edge when she returns home. Peace Corps Volunteers return from service as global citizens well-positioned for professional opportunities in today’s global job market.

“I have been living and working in El Salvador (and sometimes in Nicaragua) for the past couple of years. Central America feels homey to me. Going to Panama will let me get to know a new country and people. This is a chance to get out of my comfort zone. I look forward to settling in my community, meeting my cohorts, the mango season, learning local bus routes and even a bit of local slang.”

McCarthy joins the 150 New Jersey residents currently serving in the Peace Corps and more than 5,401 New Jersey residents who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.