Arrival in Lesotho and First Two Weeks at the Training Village

Departure and Arrival: The Journey to Lesotho

After months of preparation, medical and legal clearances, the time had finally come to embark on my Peace Corps journey to Lesotho. Before leaving the U.S., we attended staging—a two-day conference where Peace Corps trainees from the same cohort gather for the first time. Staging provides an opportunity to dive deeper into Peace Corps policies and procedures. Ours took place at a hotel in Philadelphia in September 2024.

During staging, we reviewed the goals and objectives of the Peace Corps and prepared for the long journey ahead. Once the sessions concluded, we packed our bags, double-checked our passports, and boarded a coach bus to Newark Airport.

From Newark, we embarked on a 16-hour flight to Johannesburg (Joburg). We landed around 6 PM and were greeted by our Country Director and other staff. Since Maseru’s airport lacks runway lights for night landings, we stayed overnight at a hotel adjacent to the Joburg airport. The next morning, we caught our final flight to Moshoeshoe I Airport in Maseru.

Upon arrival, Peace Corps staff transported us by bus to Khotsong Lodge, located on the outskirts of Maseru. We spent the next four days acclimating to the new time zone and higher altitude.

A Warm Welcome and First Impressions

After our time at Khotsong Lodge, we headed to our training village (for privacy, I’ll withhold the name). Upon arrival, our host families greeted us with vibrant singing and dancing. I’d never experienced such a warm, joyful welcome, and it instantly calmed any lingering nerves.

The next day marked the beginning of Pre-Service Training (PST), an 11-week intensive program designed to equip us with the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective volunteers. Our days were structured with sessions on Sesotho language, technical job training, safety and security, and cross-cultural integration. Typical training days ran from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Adjusting to a New Routine

The first two weeks of PST were a whirlwind of new experiences. Between absorbing a wealth of information, adjusting to life with my host family, trying unfamiliar foods, and overcoming language barriers, I was completely exhausted! I wanted to soak up everything like a sponge, but balancing training with personal time—especially getting to know my incredible cohort—was a challenge.

Despite the intensity, those initial weeks were incredibly rewarding. Connecting with my fellow trainees and our talented language instructors (LCFs) was inspiring. Their energy and dedication reminded me why I’m here and made me excited for the work ahead.

The journey is just beginning, and I’m eager to see what the next two years will bring.