Welcome to the Living Library, a partnership between the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and the Adams County Library System!  We have gathered human "books" to be checked out by readers for 30-minute conversations during the week.  Please use the form below to register to listen to Brigid's story.

Brigid Goss has spent the past decade working in roles to advance educational equity. After graduating from Arcadia University in 2013, she has worked as an ESL Program Coordinator for the Adams County Literacy Council, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in China, as an employee for Peace Corps Response, and as a Program Supervisor for the Migrant Education Program before starting as the Assistant Director of Student Engagement for the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College. She has been fortunate to live abroad in Romania, England, Italy, Spain, and China. Outside of work, Brigid loves traveling, tending to her house plants, and spending time with her three dogs: Jack, Cairo, and Penny.

Book Title: Two Years in China: Tales from the Middle Kingdom

Book Synopsis:

“Peace Corps: the toughest job you’ll ever love.” When I signed up for the Peace Corps a decade ago, I imagined myself serving in Latin American rainforests or the mountains of Eastern Europe. I would have never imagined myself in China, but that’s exactly where I ended up! While Peace Corps China was nicknamed a “posh corps” country because we had running water, electricity, and WIFI, it was not without its challenges. 

From teaching English to over 500 students at a university to trying to communicate in one of the most difficult languages to learn, Mandarin, it was definitely an adventure. My students were amazing and accepting, willing to look silly if it meant practicing their English through fun activities. I made some of my best friends through Peace Corps—if someone doesn’t abandon you after accidentally ordering 50 quail eggs from a nighttime street food stall, hold on to them forever! And most importantly, my favorite souvenir from my time in China is my dog, Cairo, who I found as a stray in my neighborhood.

Even though I had never imagined myself in China, I am so grateful for my time there.