As Moldova develops, it also regresses. The capital, Chisinau, is growing at a rapid rate, yet, the surrounding villages and towns seem to be regressing. People have gone back to using horses and wagons, to subsistent farming and living. The local people live at times without gas, electricity, water, and heat. They exist without receiving a salary.
Some people live without hope for the future.
Furthermore, the educational system is declining at a rapid rate. Corruption, which can be found in all facets of life, has risen at an extremely high rate. I have found working in the Peace Corps to be a very difficult and arduous job, but also a very rewarding experience. I felt that I was better prepared to adapt than many of my fellow PCVs when we first arrived to Moldova. My degree in international relations and my focus on the former Soviet Union and Russia helped me understand the region.