As I joined CorpsAfrica Kenya as an exchange volunteer, I often wondered what it would feel like to go through the entire volunteering process again, including Pre-Service Training. Would it feel repetitive going through the same lessons? Would I simply be reliving my first experience in Malawi? The questions lingered, mixed with a quiet fear of the unknown.

Five weeks later, those fears have morphed into anticipation and excitement, and instead of repetition I have found renewal. Each day of training has  carried its own rhythm, sometimes fast-paced and buzzing with energy, sometimes slow and reflective. There have been moments filled with laughter as I  try out new Swahili phrases, and quiet evenings where I catch myself journaling about how different, yet familiar, this journey feels. The models and concepts I learnt about a year ago now carry a broader perspective and each training session is a reminder of what matters most: the community and the sustainability of the change we make together. My mind also often takes a trip down memory lane to my first service in Malawi, looking for what I could have done better and then back to the present where I can carry those reflections forward. 

The lessons have also gone beyond the training rooms. I never imagined that I would enjoy crocheting and beading, yet here I am, stringing beads and threads together while listening to stories from peers whose backgrounds are as diverse as the patterns we create. On some days, dirty hands and laughter behind masked faces have been the souvenirs from a step outside of our comfort zones as we gain skills that we can share with our communities. The texture of unfamiliar food, the sound of laughter shared across accents, the blend of different personalities, the awkward yet warm initial moments of being hosted by a stranger who quickly becomes a familiar friend, and the bright colors of Kenyan culture all remind me that stepping into a new country is as much about embracing newness and being transformed as it is about serving and making impact. 

All in all, I have come to realize that “doing it again” does not mean repeating the past. It means layering the old lessons with new ones, embracing unfamiliar people and places, and facing fresh fears with courage. I carry these lessons with me as I begin this new chapter in Kenya, with the same heart for service but with a wider and deeper  perspective. I look forward to working with my community and fellow volunteers, with a great anticipation for growth, fun, and meaningful change.