Year of Service Alumni Spotlight: Sam Hahn
Sam Hahn is a 2018 Finance alum who is currently serving in the Peace Corps in Indonesia. We had the chance to ask Sam about his experience.
Why did you decide to take a position with Peace Corps after graduating from the business school, rather than pursuing a job in finance?
There were a lot of factors that went into my decision to apply for the Peace Corps but I think what it ultimately came down to was wanting to be a little less ignorant about the world and the people that live in it. I also wanted to do so in a way where I wasn’t just taking but hopefully able to give something back as well. Peace Corps offered me the best opportunity to do that.
What is your role? What are you working on in Indonesia?
Indonesia is an education project for Peace Corps so all volunteers here are English Teachers. I work alongside Indonesian counterparts teaching English at a Madrasah Tsanawiyah, which is an Islamic Middle School. I work in Bogor, West Java.
Could you share some of your highlights and low lights working for Peace Corps?
The highlights of my experience so far have definitely been the relationships made. Working closely with Indonesian teachers and living with a host family have absolutely helped facilitate this. It can be challenging to live so far from my friends and family especially during the period of transition following graduation.
Who should consider doing a Year of Service?
Literally anyone. Just go out and do it, take on a challenge.
Anything else you would like to share?
Peace Corps is a two-year program. Two years is a long time. It’s not an easy way to avoid having to get a 9 to 5 job for a while. My only piece of advice if you’re considering applying would be to make sure you’re running towards something, not away from something else.