Soon after graduating from ENC, Sarah Rushing joined the Peace Corps, serving at a non-governmental organization called Ecomission 21st Century in Lovech, Bulgaria. Her work has provided her with many opportunities to use the social work knowledge and skills that she acquired during her years at ENC. Much of her time is spent writing and implementing grant proposals for projects that provide assistance to disadvantaged groups such as children in orphanages, children with disabilities, people living in nursing homes, and racial and ethnic minorities. Sarah also helps to run weekly meeting of local teenage volunteers. They organize community service projects including health education, concerts in the nursing homes, activities for children with disabilities, and community clean-up programs. In addition, Sarah hopes to begin a life skills training series with the volunteers, focusing on sexual education, a topic that is not taught in the public schools. While adapting to the language and culture of Bulgaria has been a struggle, Sarah feels that her social work education provided her with the necessary skills to be an effective Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria.