Spencer Chrein to spend two years in the Peace Corps
Spencer Chrein, Lynbrook resident, was sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia. He is one of 21 new volunteers to serve in the country, underscoring a new chapter in the 32-year partnership between the agency and the Armenian government.
With this new group, a total of 37 Peace Corps Volunteers are currently serving in seven districts of Armenia. Chrein graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and will be serving as a youth development volunteer. During his service, Chrein will learn to speak Armenian to build bridges with the locals for mutual understanding.
Originally, Chrein intended to get into the field of domestic politics. However, he became more interested in studying human rights and international affairs. As he got more into that subject, he specifically started to study post-Soviet countries and their move towards democracy or autocracy.
“I ended up writing my senior thesis about how trade with autocratic superpowers like Russia and China has been impacting the transition to democracy in Eurasian post-Soviet countries,” Chrein said. “And then after that, I really wanted to get some experience doing field work in one of these countries.”
Chrein said he didn’t want to be a person who just does “armchair research” and he wanted to have a different perspective from the side of living in one of these countries. He then started to ask some people about the Peace Corps, which he noted that they all said great things about the organization.
“And I was like this is a perfect way for me to go to a post-Soviet Eurasian country, learn the language, have an actual job where I’m doing something that is giving back towards the community while I’m learning,” Chrein said.
Chrein said when he was offered this position, he had four days to let them know whether or not he was interested in becoming a volunteer. He noted that he was on the fence because he was also applying to a lot of other human rights jobs. However, he realized if there was any time in his life where he can drop everything and go live in another country, it’s now.
“I got here in the beginning of March, and then I had a 10 week training, and I officially swore in as a volunteer about a little more than three weeks ago,” Chrein said. “So I’ve been in my permanent site in Dilijan for a little over three weeks until May of 2026.”
For now, Chrein said he is observing and learning so that he doesn’t do anything out of cultural context that could potentially be offensive or harmful. As a youth development volunteer, Chrein’s task is to teach the youth new life skills, introduce them to new concepts, and give them a platform to grow.
“I wanted to come here and be an example for these kids that certain things are possible and they can get the tools they need to accomplish their own dreams and desires,” Chrein said. “But on the other hand, I think 50 percent of the reason I came here was for the self-growth that it gives me.”
Chrein said he wants to prove to himself that he can go to a completely foreign place, learn their language, and integrate with the society there.
“It has always been my mantra that you are only on Earth for so long and I personally want to be able to experience as much as a human can,” Chrein said. “And you can only do that by actually going and living in different places where people are completely different and think completely different about everything.”
Chrein emphasized that Armenia is an “amazing country” with “amazing food, people, and nature.” He encourages people to visit.
“The most impactful experience of Armenia so far has been living with my two different host families. They have both been so extremely kind and welcoming, and have overwhelmed me with a kind of love that I have only ever felt from my real biological parents,” Chrein said in a press release. “The Armenian people are truly so hospitable, caring and understanding, and above all will never let you leave the table hungry.”
The Peace Corps invites U.S. citizens from all backgrounds, who embody the spirit of service and cross-cultural understanding, to become volunteers. The next application deadline is July 1, 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online to take the first step towards a life-changing experience in contributing to global peace and friendship.
Visit PeaceCorps.gov/Bold to learn more about Peace Corps Volunteer service and how volunteers connect with immersive experiences in over 60 countries.
