здраво! Hello!

Wow, what an amazing week!

Lots of orientation, lots of learning, and lots of Macedonian! My eyes are constantly taking in new sights, my ears are listening for words I’m still learning to understand, and my brain is trying to make sense of it all at once. There is so much happening around me, and even in the midst of trying to take it all in, I feel incredibly lucky to be here experiencing it.

I met so many fellow Peace Corps Volunteers during orientation, and it was crazy to think that after knowing some people for only a week, it was genuinely hard to say goodbye. We all headed off in smaller groups to our towns to continue Pre-Service Training, and it made me realize just how quickly meaningful connections can form.

The week was filled with socializing, exploring, learning, and constantly being on the go. I got to explore different parts of North Macedonia with fellow Americans, experience new places through a completely different lens, learn about the country’s incredible history, and meet some genuinely amazing people.

It was such a fun introduction to the Peace Corps community and the beginning of this experience. As excited as I am to settle into my town and continue training, I think a part of me will miss these first few weeks: the excitement, the anticipation, and the feeling of not quite knowing what comes next.

Now I’m with my host family!

I was nervous to meet them, as any new experience comes with a little uncertainty, but I have already been met with so much kindness. I am continuing to see the beauty in North Macedonia as I settle in for the next three months. I am learning so much and taking in as much as I possibly can. It’s crazy how quickly you can begin to feel a sense of comfort and security with people you’ve only known for two days.

This culture has so much great food, and so much of daily life seems to revolve around sitting down and enjoying your neighbors’ company. I learned today that going on a walk before lunch, which was at 4 p.m., can really mean walking 150 feet to the neighbors’ house and drinking coffee. No complaints, just learning how this culture works and finding so much joy in the little differences.

I was talking to my parents earlier when a neighbor stopped me after hearing my very American “hello” (zdravo). He invited me inside, explaining that he was also hosting a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, and introduced me to his son and wife. Before I knew it, I was being handed cake and soda. It was such a sweet, unexpected interaction, and I love how naturally these little moments seem to happen here.

Everything feels so homemade and personal. The tea is made from herbs picked straight from the garden. The food is fresh, plentiful, and so good. There is something really special about being welcomed into these everyday moments and being reminded that sometimes, the smallest interactions can make a place feel a little more like home.

I was writing this while sitting at the hairdresser with my host mom. She gets her hair done every Sunday, and her husband drives her, a small routine that I find so sweet. At one point, the hairdresser’s daughter came in, and before long, they were all laughing together. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it was so nice to just sit there and listen to people laugh. Afterward, they asked if I understood what they had been laughing about. My response of не (“no”) led to everyone trying to fill me in and explain the story. It was such a small moment, but one I know I’ll remember.

There is something so beautiful about how inclusive and family-oriented this culture feels. I’m excited to keep learning the language and, little by little, become more able to communicate. But these first few weeks have also reminded me that so much of communication exists beyond words. You can find understanding through gestures, expressions, pictures, laughter, and, of course food!

There is so much I am learning every single day, and I feel really lucky to be here for all of it.