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Spotlights Kaitlin McDonough '97 University of Dayton Quarterly, Fall 2005 Middle school teachers of the world, take heart. Consider the example of Peace Corps volunteer Kaitlin McDonough. The former UD interior design major now lives in Macedonia, where she is part of a volunteer support center that helps nongovernmental organizations start and implement development projects in this part of the former Yugoslavia. Among the many obstacles are a recent history of ethnic conflict and high unemployment. Her inspiration? “It may sound a bit silly, but I remember reading about the Peace Corps in social studies class in seventh grade. I remember thinking, ‘One day I want to do that.’” Macedonia was one of seven choices offered when her original assignment, Gabon was canceled “due to ‘financial and security reasons,’” she said. “I’m not going to lie; I had to take out a map to really figure out where (Macedonia) was.” Kichevo, the town of 30,000 where McDonough lives and works (and blogs about at http://www.livejournal.com/users/katiemcdonough/), avoided the ethnic conflict that has plagued the region throughout the last decade. Still, it faces many challenges. “The unemployment rate in Macedonia is around 30 percent, so people are pretty down in the dumps. In my opinion people lack motivation to make any changes and don’t take much pride in their community. They still seem a bit stuck in the communist thinking process ... (and) still have such a long way to go to be part of the (European Union).” She may stay another year when her assignment ends in December 2006. She’s returned home from extended overseas trips before, but never for long. “I tried to settle down after paying off my large travel debts, bought a condo, worked hard, but the itch to keep traveling never stopped. I don’t think it ever will. “I am hoping to have some kind of career revelation. ... Right now I can say that I want to travel the Balkans from December 2006 to June 2007 and be back in time for my 10-year UD reunion.” —Matthew Dewald

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