Safety and Security as a PCV in Mongolia: the Advantages of Looking Mongolian

The first time I meet my Mongolian host family, the second thing my host mother said to me was “you look Mongolian”, pointing to her daughter and gesturing the universal ‘same same’ sign (the first thing was “are you hungry?” though it was more of a rhetorical question for there was a banquet that awaited my arrival). Being Asian-American in an Asian country representing the United States as an American…well, let’s just say that I didn’t quite know how natives in my host country would react. Prior to my arrival to Mongolia, I had read first-hand accounts from RPCVs who served in Peace Corps Asian countries; they had written with the outer camouflage comes isolation (you don’t stand out as that ‘special American’) and confusion (on the part of the natives). I even worried if my host family would be disappointed because I wasn’t the typical looking “American” with my Mongolian-like features and dark colored hair.

Since my arrival in Mongolia, I have come to find that being mistaken for Mongolian has become of somewhat of an asset (I even have the same stylish fashion sense as Mongolian women; more on this later). While my fellow PCTs have had situations of harassment and difficulties as that “special American” that stands out like a sore thumb, I have gone unnoticed in my errands (e.g. visits to the bank, market, post office and internet café). I even get the “native discount” which is usually half of what they charge foreigners. However, since my Mongolian is still at a novice level, I immediately give myself away when I open my mouth to ask a question or to clarify a price, instantly revoking my ‘native discount’. This has happened enough times for me to keep quite, smile, and make a hasty departure. However, being the one that always gets spoken to when I’m with a group of my fellow PCV Americans (because they assume I am the sole Mongolian speaker), is getting a bit bothersome; apparently this asset comes with a silver lining.