Adrell Mable has made a significant impact as a Health Extension Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Albania and Montenegro.
Her journey, from working in hospital settings to serving abroad, shows her dedication to community service.
She strives to enhance her connections and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in Albania.
"I began the Peace Corps application process during the second year of my graduate degree," said Mable. "It took about six months from start to finish, which included getting all my legal and medical clearances. For some, it can take longer, but six months was about the timeframe for me. I left the United States on October 4, 2023, and after about three flights, we arrived in Albania a few days later."
Her vision became clearer when she realized that everyone across the world needs help, including people in other countries.
"It opened my eyes to realize that not every place has it all, and you have to make use of the resources you have in place," said Mable. "The standard of healthcare we have in the States isn’t the same in all cultures, as some thrive without nearly as much as we do. This experience has made me more appreciative of my previous experiences."
When she arrived, she had to go through preliminary training that taught her about the culture, language, and practices of Albanian healthcare.
"I’ve moved twice since I’ve been here," said Mable. "We started with a preliminary training. It was an orientation for about a week in one of the bigger cities, and then we moved on to our pre-service training. We aren’t considered volunteers until after our first three months in the country, during which we learn the language in-depth. We’re expected to achieve at least a high or intermediate level of proficiency to effectively communicate within our communities."
Now Mable has fairly adjusted to the language and communicates fluently enough to teach English to Albanians.
"I have to be able to communicate effectively," said Mable. "During that time, we also learn about the culture. After those three months, we take our oath, swear in, and then we’re each sent to our community. Each community has only one volunteer. There are three sectors: the health sector, which I’m part of; the education sector, which focuses on teaching English as a second language; and the organizational development sector, which works within the Albanian government."
Not only does she teach English, but she also teaches girls how to enhance computing with skills like PowerPoint, coding, and building websites.
"My top memory so far from this summer is the camps I’ve done," said Mable. "I’ve led camps focused on health and wellness, but the most recent one was aimed at teaching girls how to code, use a computer, and build their websites because they don’t have classes that teach them those skills. Many of the girls were in their teenage years and didn’t know how to make a PowerPoint or type quickly. Over the two-week camp, these girls not only learned how to code and build websites but also developed leadership skills."
She transitioned well here, as her background in health and wellness allows her to teach gym classes. She also helps out with biology courses.
"The food here is incredibly fresh. They’re really big on Sephora all over, and everything is fresh and flavorful," said Mable. "I love the food, but the transition was tough at first, especially since it happened close to the holidays. We were all together like a family, which brought some comfort. The lifestyle and culture are very different—much more traditional. Some parts of the States are comparable, but overall, it’s a unique experience here."
She has used her previous skills and education to make a great impact, as her extensive experience has provided her with a wealth of knowledge.
"I’d say the background knowledge I gained from years of study has been invaluable in this experience," said Mable. "I knew I was coming into a completely different culture, but it’s still challenging because you don’t know everything, and you tend to view things through the lens of your own culture back in the States. Being able to step outside that lens and see things from the perspective of the culture I’m in has helped me understand the deeper context of why people behave the way they do, and for that, I’m incredibly thankful."
Outside of her work in Albania, she dedicates a lot of time to practicing the violin. Recently, she has made significant progress and has seen an improvement in her skills.
"Growing up, I always sang in the choir at church and school, and I’ve always loved music,” said Mable. “As of recently, I developed a deep appreciation for the violin. I’ve started taking violin lessons from a professional violinist nearby. I’m finally following that passion and hoping to get good enough to be part of something in the future. It’s become my biggest hobby.”
Mable truly loves this experience as it has changed her life, and she will continue to bless people.
"This experience has brought me so much personal growth," said Mable. "Coming out of my tears and relying on my faith in God has been crucial. I thought that if I could get through that challenging time, I could handle this one. Reflecting on how far I’ve come has been a great encouragement. This journey has truly changed my life. Looking back, my younger self was always so fearful, and I never would have imagined doing something like this. It’s turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I’m deeply grateful to God for that."
Mable continues to apply her strong hospital practices, teach valuable skills, and contribute positively to the community. Her efforts are making a meaningful impact on the lives of those she serves.