In September 2013, Karen embarked on her second year of Peace Corps service in Uliastai, a tranquil town in the Zavkhan province of Mongolia. Surrounded by majestic mountains and verdant forests, the landscape set the stage for a journey marked by profound cultural exchange and collaboration. This experience would soon illustrate the transformative power of bridging divides.

Karen’s commitment to service was evident from the beginning. Her former mentors, both retired dental professionals, visited Uliastai and ignited an initiative to address a critical need: children's dental health. Their visit was a gesture of goodwill and a significant opportunity to bridge cultural and generational gaps. 

"Collaboration was the bridge. My dedicated crew of English teachers and students bridged the language gap. Without them, the clinic wouldn’t have happened."

In the early stages of the project, Karen identified specific groups within the community that would benefit from the clinic. For example, she noted that schools across Zavkhan were facing significant dental health issues, with many children needing immediate care. This was evident from the overwhelming response during her assessment visits, where teachers and parents eagerly brought children for evaluations. 

Karen’s first task was to assess children's dental needs throughout Zavkhan. As Karen engaged with teachers, parents, and children, she witnessed the local community's outpouring of support and curiosity. Teachers and parents were eager for their children's dental evaluations, underscoring the urgent need for care.

The preparation for the dental clinic was fraught with logistical challenges. Karen collaborated with local partners, each contributing crucial support in securing permissions, organizing accommodations, and arranging transportation. Still, challenges like the sudden loss of running water would pop up and require quick thinking to resolve the issue. This adaptability was crucial to the clinic's success. 

"The most effective thing I did to navigate cultural differences was to encourage curiosity. You can’t teach everyone everything about each other’s customs, but creating space for curiosity helps."

Karen’s experiences with the local community highlighted the reciprocal nature of support. 

"I felt very cherished by my community, and I don't think everyone always has that. And I think that feeling very proud of my community and like I wanted to help them as much as they had helped me." 

Karen credits the success of the dental clinic to the hard work of local translators and volunteers. Their efforts were instrumental in bridging communication barriers despite the diverse backgrounds of the dental team. The involvement of these local allies was not just essential in facilitating effective interactions between the foreign dental staff and the Mongolian children, but also a testament to the power of personal relationships in a foreign land.

"It was the personal relationships. It was people who, even though I was a stranger, went out of their way to make sure that I was safe and I was okay and cared for." 

Despite the obstacles, the clinic was a resounding success. These efforts culminated in a six-day dental clinic serving over 2,100 children. American, British, and Japanese dentists worked alongside Mongolian volunteers to provide care. The clinic became a model of collaborative success, not only addressing the immediate dental needs but also building cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. 

"Leading with curiosity means that when things happen–things that make you uncomfortable, feel hurt or confused–instead of putting up walls, you try to build bridges."

The final celebration, held under the expansive Mongolian sky, was a powerful testament to the spirit of collaboration that defined Karen’s service. Diverse individuals came together to celebrate their achievements with traditional Mongolian foods and performances, complemented by Jewish songs and dances. This moment of cultural exchange was not about changing minds but finding common ground and celebrating unity through shared experiences.

Karen’s Peace Corps service in Uliastai underscored the importance of creating a space for vulnerability and learning. She learned that leading with curiosity and fostering mutual understanding was vital to overcoming cultural barriers. Instead of thinking, “That’s not how I would do it, they must be doing it wrong,” she encouraged a mindset of curiosity: “I wonder why they’re doing it the way they are.” For Karen, this approach is key to promoting a culture of mutual understanding and respect.

“If I didn't have the people who came before me, there's no way I would have been able to do the dental clinic.”