“Moving from D.C. to Macedonia was a huge shift,” said Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Katherin Burk, who served as an Education Volunteer in Macedonia from August 2014 to October 2016. “Going from a huge city such as D.C. to the much smaller capitol city of Skopje was challenging and rewarding. It is different for each Volunteer, but I think most of us find aspects about our new home that we love, and have aspects of our old one that we miss.”

As a 2013 graduate of American University with a bachelor’s degree in international studies, Katherin lived and worked in the nation’s capital for a year and a half after graduation. In 2016, Washington, D.C. produced the highest number of Peace Corps Volunteers, edging out the greater New York City area by just seven Volunteers to claim the top spot. The last time the Washington metropolitan area ranked first was in 2009.

Through her service, Katherin trained teachers using student-centered teaching methods and collected a library of 300 children’s books written in English that she donated to the kindergarten classes at her school. She also spent time working with and mentoring Macedonian youth who were pursuing college options in the U.S.

“The most significant parts of my service were the connections made with my host country friends and my host family,” Katherin said. “It was through those relationships that I was able to share my love of my home, and D.C., and learn more deeply about Macedonia.”

Click here to learn more about Peace Corps Macedonia.