I was recently (about a minute ago) asked what my top challenges serving as a education PCV in Malawi. Here they are, with short explanations. If any Ed13 invitees are reading this, don't fear, the good far outweighs the bad.
Teaching students of a different culture - You think you get blank looks from students in an American classroom? Try having twice as many students. Most of those students are afraid to ask questions because they haven't realized that, unlike most their teachers, you won't yell at them for doing so. To top it off, critical thinking is not only lacking, it's nonexistent.
Isolation from people of a similar culture - Other ex-pats, even Americans, rarely come from the same type of background as me. You could gather my closest friends in Malawi into a room, ask them what the SEC is, and 3 out of 5 will probably say the Securities and Exchange Commission, one will know but not care, with the last one will saying "Roll Tide." I hate it when the last one does that, yet sadly I have more in common with her than the other four.
Staying hydrated - Believe it or not, this is the one I struggle with most. When it's 130F out, and there are no fans, let alone A/C, you can't physically drink enough water to keep up with it. That's coming from a Floridian that grew up without air, and spent 6 months living in North Queensland, where the asphalt melts. Nothing is quite like waking up in the middle of the night, realizing you're not sweating, chugging a litter of water, then feeling the sweat glands start back up.
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