The big day has happened September 7th 2023
Swearing in is the day that we swear an oath and sign the paper to become total Peace Corps volunteers. It's a big party at the ambassador's house and is very official. This year I had two honors. I was singing the American National Anthem at the opening of the ceremony and I also sang a solo in the Peace Corps song! Singing the national anthem was scary but I really really loved that I was chosen. Many people came up to me afterward and thanked me for singing because usually the anthem is just played instrumentally. I was able to talk to some interesting people because of this opening.
All of us stagieres(when we are not sworn in) wore matching fabric because it is tradition but ALSO it is the 55th year of Peace Corps being in Benin!!! That's very big!
The ceremony was in the morning and the location was great, All went well and I raised my right hand and said the oath with my friends and all the volunteers. It was pretty special. Afterward, there were many speeches. Cake and drinks were served and we enjoyed the morning.
After this, we had a big pool party at the Peace Corps director's house. She made burgers brownies fries and pizza and we were all so stuffed we could barely eat dinner.
We returned to our Peace Corps center for 2 more days before I went to my site in the North of Oueme department
I also was chosen to give a speech in French for a host family celebration. My host mom and my language tutor were crying it was so sweet and I'm happy I got to do it.