From Pharmaceutical Exec to Peace Corps Volunteer

After 29 years as a pharmaceutical executive, Lynn Dines jettisoned her corporate job and 5 a.m. wake-up calls to join the Peace Corps. Now she might snuggle deeper into her blankets for an extra 30 minutes of sleep if a storm shuts off power in Ribat El Kheir, the Moroccan village where she teaches business basics to carpet weavers.

Dines lives in a drafty cement-block apartment and spends her days coaching a group of women at the Adwal Cooperative, which preserves the region's traditional weaving patterns. The hand-woven designs on carpets and fabrics are passed down from generation to generation.

"The best part of life here is the people," Dines says. "If you go by to tell someone something, be prepared to sit down to sweet mint tea. This also means it's not always the easiest thing, as sometimes you just want to get the message across quickly. You learn to change your pace."

The 54-year-old businesswoman from Huntington Beach, Calif., is one of a growing number of Americans over 50 joining the Peace Corps. The recession has been a boon for the service organization, which last year received more than 15,000 applications -- an 18 percent increase from 2008.

Dines is more than halfway through her 27-month stint and has helped women in the cooperative create business cards, brochures, product catalogs and even a website. She's also made arrangements to bring medical care to the village.

Dines talked with SecondAct about her experiences in Northern Africa.

A typical day: Mornings are filled with computer work and co-op business. Afternoons are for tutoring, community projects, chatting with folks or exercising. Dines has a Pilates DVD and often walks around the village. "I also take advantage of sunny days to do my laundry (all hand washing) so I can get it to dry in the sun on the roof," says Dines. She spends evenings reading and watching downloads of U.S. TV shows (her favorites are Survivor, Project Runway, The Amazing Race and Top Chef). When the internet is working, she's on Skype with friends and family.

The language: Dines is learning Darija, which is the Moroccan Arabic dialect. She knows enough to conduct meetings with the women of the co-op. But she's continuing with a tutor to improve her skills. "The hardest part is the sitting around (casual conversation)," she says.

Making ends meet: The Peace Corps provides a "living allowance" and pays rent. The allowance varies by country but is intended to allow volunteers to live at the level of a teacher in their community. Some volunteers, like Dines, use their own money to buy extras. "I supplement my allowance because I travel quite a bit. I also purchased a refrigerator and a shufu (water heater) for a hot shower every two to three days and have internet in my apartment. These would be difficult to do on the allowance."

Staying connected: Dines' internet connection is spotty, but she manages to update her blog each week and stay connected to friends and family. "Yes, I'm incredibly grateful and blessed to even have internet at my site," she says on her blog.

Getting around: Dines visits different cities in Morocco, sometimes for Peace Corps business and other times just to see the country. She might meet with friends in Fes -- about two hours from her village -- or go to Tangier for a haircut that costs about $7 U.S. The travel isn't always smooth. (When she headed to Rabat by train for her annual medical checkup, Dines wondered why what should have been a two-hour trip took five and a half hours.) She enjoys meeting friends at the village cafe for coffee, which is OK for Western women. "Otherwise, it's hashuma [shameful] for a woman to be seen in a cafe."

Learning experiences: "One thing you quickly discover is that you have to modify your expectations. Things take so much longer than you expect them to."

Her inspiration: "My parents were lifelong volunteers, so they modeled the behavior as just something that you should do, especially when I've lived with such good fortune all my life and have a strong sense of personal obligation to give back."

What's next? Dines isn't sure. "I've considered going back to school, but the return on investment on that is pretty bad, so I may just look for an organization where I can apply my interests/skills/experience in a meaningful, voluntary way."

Her advice on the Peace Corps: "If you're considering it at all, do it. You're never too old to stretch yourself, learn about yourself and help others all at the same time."