Host Families

Recently, Peace Corps in Azerbaijan has been enacting a new practice during the site location process.  When an organization applies to host a PCV, they also include a list of potential host families for the PCV.  The Housing Coordinator then visits these families, to ascertain whether the conditions are appropriate for PCVs.  A reminder: PCVs live with host families during their training (the first four months in country), and then must stay with a host family for the first four months at their sites.  After that time, they are welcome to continue living with a host family under a new contract, or find alternative, independent housing.  At that stage, finding a place to live is on the PCV, but for the first eight months, we rely on the wisdom and judgment of the Housing Coordinator. 

Recently, PCVs have been invited to these meetings with prospective host families.  Our housing coordinator arrived around 10 and we went first to School #2, actually for my first time, and wow was it a surprisingly nice school.  Not that my school is bad or anything, but my school is #3.  This was #2.  At the school, we met a man and woman who knew which families were being considered for host families.  The first was a bit far from the school, away from the paved roads.  With shortcuts, it’d probably be quicker than if you followed the road, but it was still a bit off the beaten track.  The family there seemed nice, and had two young children who were shy and adorable. 

The second family was closer to the school and seemed phenomenal.  They were friendly and open, and had a large yard.  The prospective host mother was a teacher, which is nice because it give a PCV someone who understands the issues they’re going through at work.  Many host families write that they would only be interested in having a female PCV.  This is largely due to expectations of American men based on what people have seen on television and movies.  In reaction, they have unrealistic expectations of how men would act and treat others, and as result are hesitant to allow one to live with them.  One of the Housing Coordinator’s jobs is to convince people to consider a male PCV.  I hope that having me along on the visits helped.  I don’t think I’m particularly scary or threatening, and hopefully seeing what a male PCV looks and acts like helped ease their reservations.  In any event, they agreed to consider hosting a male, at least for the time being.  

The third family lived in a small apartment, and were concerned with cleanliness, a common issue for people here, who do spend a considerable amount of time keeping their homes clean.  They were kind, and their main drawback was the size of their apartment.  The last family had a daughter who was an English teacher at another school, which could be great for a PCV, and had a huge yard and garden.  

Not all of these families are perfect, but all could be strong hosts for future PCVs.  There are pros and cons to each and every family, and in big way, it is up to the PCV and family to work together to make the most of the situation.  A 10 minute visit when subtitles and details are lost to me isn't enough to know for sure how they'll react to a strange person living in their homes for four months.  Fortunately, hearing the Housing Coordinator's thoughts on each family at the end of the day, I feel he will make a good choice.

Visiting these other families caused me to reflect some on my own host family.  I was extremely fortunate to be placed with this family.  I remember when I first arrived, the trepidation and awkwardness I felt was extremely strong.  My host father met us in the park nearby, and we came to the house.  He showed me to my room and left me to unpack and come to lunch.  But, over time, and especially now that I see the potential new families, I know I was lucky that they had had volunteers before, one male and one female, so they knew some of what to expect.  They have two sons, one a few years older, one a few months younger, both of whom have been present in Ismayilli for significant periods of my service.  This has made up for Ismayilli being a smaller site with, at present, only one other PCV.  It’s given me a friend to spend time with.  My host parents are generous and considerate, giving me space, but also willing to share experiences.  I have my own kitchen year round, but am regularly invited to eat with them and drink tea with them in the evenings.  They’re interested in my stories, and share plenty of their own stories, thoughts, and jokes.  My American family visited last summer, and they enjoy meeting any other PCVs that come to stay from across Azerbaijan.  We recently crammed three guests into my room for a Lahic visit, and were all invited to tea from the samovar. 

Seeing these new families that are possibly about to embark on a journey similar to the one we have gone through the past two years, it has become even more meaningful that I was placed here.  If one were the type to believe in such things, and at times, I am, it must have been fate.