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Thursday, 04 Jan 07
SheJumps: Have you taken a jump in life?
Vivvi Pierce: I only applied to colleges that offered a degree in hospitality or travel and tourism. I wanted to “wine and dine” with the rich and cater to the famous. I was certain this was the path for me. No question about it. For years, I had wanted to run a swanky hotel in flashy NYC or Chicago but suddenly sophomore year in college it all came crumpling down. I couldn’t pass business statistics and without that class there was no hospitality degree, no NYC, no swankiness. I was screwed and my dream quickly leaped out of reach. Hip. Hop.
Within a few short months I decided to change my life completely. I switched my major to English and headed to Argentina for a semester abroad. I surprised myself by venturing far away from my dream of glitz and glam but mostly I surprised the people around me: parents, friends, and I nearly gave my academic advisor a heart attack.
“An English major in a Spanish speaking country, hmm?” she said while looking at my transcript through her heavy leopard print horn-rimmed glasses.
March 3, 2006 was the day I jumped.
I had been living in Argentina for nearly five months and decided to take a month long holiday to Peru. My friend Megan and I packed our sacks, bought the cheapest plane tickets possible, and headed off on an adventure that would forever change my life.
I had always pictured Peru to be somewhat of a “majestic Disneyland” full or indigenous people wearing traditional dress and hippy travelers meditating atop the lost ruins of Machu Picchu. But, after backpacking through Peru, I saw some of the most devastating living conditions of my life and a desperate need for education.
While lying in our dark heatless hostel room listening to the scurry of mice and cockroaches, I decided that my life was definitely not meant to cater those whom are already rich but instead help those who are incredibly poor and thirsty for knowledge. It was in Peru when I decided to become a teacher.
SJ: Are you where you want to be?
VP: I have decided to combine all of my loves (traveling, writing, and English) by teaching abroad. Come Sept. 1, 2007, pending my request for a work visa by the Hungarian government, I will be teaching English to grade school children in Hungary. (UPDATE: SHE IS) Like all over South America and the world, there is a great need for teachers in Central Europe. The area was left in shambles after the crumple of Communism and these children are in great need of education. This is my jump.
Profile: Genevieve Pierce
Comment on this Post "VIVVI" PIERCE has a personality that explodes from her with a bursting laugh. When she lets it out, her friends can't help but laugh with her. For that reason, she was loved by her Alpha Phi sorority sisters at Washington State University, where she graduated in spring 2007. She was a Homecoming Queen nominee, in fact, and was part of the most exclusive mug club on campus. But she isn't exclusive and will talk to any Joe Blow on the street and make them love her. Because she's one of those who loves others. Vivvi took her jump on a trip to Machu Picchu last summer. It wasn't her original life plan, but she is happy how it has worked out. Now she is a teacher in Hungary, traveling all sorts of places and obviously loving life. — Vanessa Pierce
SheJumps: Have you taken a jump in life?
Vivvi Pierce: I only applied to colleges that offered a degree in hospitality or travel and tourism. I wanted to “wine and dine” with the rich and cater to the famous. I was certain this was the path for me. No question about it. For years, I had wanted to run a swanky hotel in flashy NYC or Chicago but suddenly sophomore year in college it all came crumpling down. I couldn’t pass business statistics and without that class there was no hospitality degree, no NYC, no swankiness. I was screwed and my dream quickly leaped out of reach. Hip. Hop.
Within a few short months I decided to change my life completely. I switched my major to English and headed to Argentina for a semester abroad. I surprised myself by venturing far away from my dream of glitz and glam but mostly I surprised the people around me: parents, friends, and I nearly gave my academic advisor a heart attack.
“An English major in a Spanish speaking country, hmm?” she said while looking at my transcript through her heavy leopard print horn-rimmed glasses.
March 3, 2006 was the day I jumped.
I had been living in Argentina for nearly five months and decided to take a month long holiday to Peru. My friend Megan and I packed our sacks, bought the cheapest plane tickets possible, and headed off on an adventure that would forever change my life.
I had always pictured Peru to be somewhat of a “majestic Disneyland” full or indigenous people wearing traditional dress and hippy travelers meditating atop the lost ruins of Machu Picchu. But, after backpacking through Peru, I saw some of the most devastating living conditions of my life and a desperate need for education.
While lying in our dark heatless hostel room listening to the scurry of mice and cockroaches, I decided that my life was definitely not meant to cater those whom are already rich but instead help those who are incredibly poor and thirsty for knowledge. It was in Peru when I decided to become a teacher.
SJ: Are you where you want to be?
VP: I have decided to combine all of my loves (traveling, writing, and English) by teaching abroad. Come Sept. 1, 2007, pending my request for a work visa by the Hungarian government, I will be teaching English to grade school children in Hungary. (UPDATE: SHE IS) Like all over South America and the world, there is a great need for teachers in Central Europe. The area was left in shambles after the crumple of Communism and these children are in great need of education. This is my jump.
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