From Mansfield to Nepal: Sam Kime begins his Peace Corps journey

MANSFIELD — Joining the Peace Corps was not always part of 22-year-old Samuel Kime’s plan, but a life-changing study abroad experience reshaped his future.

The Mansfield native leaves for Nepal on Jan. 15, where he will begin training as an English education teacher with the Peace Corps.

From Mansfield to the world

Kime said before studying abroad in South Korea, he never seriously considered living overseas or serving in the Peace Corps.

The experience pushed him far outside his comfort zone and sparked a desire to live in another culture again, ultimately turning Peace Corps service into a goal.

Growing up in Mansfield also played a key role in shaping his interests, particularly through the city’s deep historical roots.

“The numerous historical sites dotted throughout the community, and especially giving tours through my time volunteering in Secret City, helped manifest my interest in history,” Kime said.

The interest led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from The Ohio State University at Mansfield, where exposure to ancient Greek manuscripts also sparked a fascination with language.

Kime said his interests in history, linguistics and education naturally converged in the Peace Corps.

“English education is extremely beneficial in the increasingly interconnected world and gives people access to new communities, ideas and ways to communicate,” he said.

Kime initially applied to serve in Vietnam but did not receive that placement. He said Nepal quickly became an exciting second option and one he feels grateful to accept.

“I would like to thank the community of Mansfield for supporting me and giving me all of the wonderful memories I’ve had over my two decades of living here,” he said. “I wish everyone in Mansfield and surrounding communities nothing but the best. Go Tygers!”

Facing challenges head-on

“When Sam was four, I asked why he asked so many questions,” His mother Jennifer Kime, said. “He told me, ‘Because I’m curious about the world around me.'”

Jennifer said his deep curiosity, grounded in compassion and purpose, has shaped who he has become.

“He has always made his own path and I couldn’t be more proud of his commitment to serve in the Peace Corps and take this bold step into his next chapter,” she said.

Kime said he expects the biggest challenge will come from adjusting to different material realities and living conditions in Nepal. Adding he will face intermittent electricity and internet access, a lack of clean running water and minimal school supplies.

“I’ve tried to prepare by learning about water cleaning methods and other realities, but I don’t think the full breadth of it will hit me until I’ve spent a week there,” he said.

Kime said he hopes the experience will strengthen his long-term goal of becoming a history professor.

He noted teaching in a resource-limited environment will provide him with the skills to better navigate toward his goal of becoming a history professor.

A significant part of his role will include petitioning the Nepalese government and other organizations for grants and school supplies such as notebooks and projectors.

“Education, in any context, is a very difficult work, and especially with the resources, or more accurately the lack thereof, that I will have to deal with in Nepal, I think it will help prepare me,” he said.

Encouraging others to serve

Kime encouraged Mansfield residents and The Ohio State University at Mansfield students to consider Peace Corps service, even if they feel unsure — describing the Peace Corps as a powerful opportunity to make a tangible difference in the world.

“I can think of little more meaningful than helping improve education, agriculture or food safety for entire communities that need support,” he said.

According to a Peace Corps press release, English education teachers work to increase teaching capacity, improve student achievement and strengthen community support for student learning.

Kime joins 98 Ohio residents currently serving with the Peace Corps.

Volunteers commit to two years of service following three months of training and receive housing, a living stipend, extensive language and technical training and potential graduate school fellowships after service.