Posh Corps (n.): Peace Corps programs that are perceived to be “cushier” than the stereotypical Peace Corps experience, i.e. including accommodations such as running water, plumbing, electricity, internet access, etc.

Serving under conditions of hardship.

Here in PC Albania, we often joke about living in the “Posh Corps” whenever we’re out at a fancy café or hitting up the 3G on our mobile devices or enjoying the cool breeze of an AC unit in the summer. Part of it stems from a sort of irrational guilt; we know that in other Peace Corps countries, Volunteers are squatting in latrines or hand-washing their clothes until their knuckles are raw and killing their own dinner every night, so we’re made to feel as though we “should” be suffering more.

But what I often compare Albania to is a lead ornament painted over with gold leaf. Everything looks pretty and shiny on the…