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| My experiences with Peace Corps; from application to invitation and beyond!!! |
| "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." -JFK, 1961 |
| Peace Corps has three goals: 1)To provide volunteers who contribute to the social and economic development of interested countries; 2) To promote a better understanding of Americans among the people whom volunteers serve; and 3) To strengthen Americans' understanding about the world and it's peoples. |
| Application: In August 2000 I began to seriously think about what I wanted to do after graduation. I decided to look into Peace Corps a little more and see what it had to offer. I had been introduced to Peace Corps at a very early age (my dad's finace joined when I was in 6th grade). I remember it being so interesting that she was going to another country and helping other people. But I had a billion and one questions. Thank goodness that there was a recruiter on campus. Larry was wonderful. He never complained that I visited him 40 times in one month with questions, and he was always willing to talk about his experiences. All in all the application took me about 6 or 7 weeks. I rewrote it multiple times before I was really happy with it, and I still have a copy of every rough draft. Going into the post office and actually mailing it was difficult because I knew that as soon as I dropped it into the slot I couldn't revise it anymore. The best advice I have on the application is to be yourself, and choose people who really know you to do the recommendation letters. They will know enough to represent you well, and that is always a plus! Interview/Nomination: About a week or so after I sent my application in Larry called me to set up an interview. I was so happy that he would be the one doing it. We were already buddies! It wasn't so much of an interview as it was Larry going through my application, making sure the answers I gave were correct, and then chosing an assignment. Somehow it was that easy. The assignment was a little more difficult. I really wanted to work with HIV/AIDS in an area where it was most needed...Africa. Unfortunately, most assignments in Africa require 2-4 years of French. I only speak Italian. I was a little bummed but then I thought about SE Asia. That's the #2 hot-spot. So we chose Asia, and I thought if I got China or Thailand (where HIV is a problem) I would be very happy. Invitation: I was not expecting an invitation to Mongolia. It houses the coldest capital in the world. I was told by Larry that PO's only choose people from colder parts of the U.S. for this assignment. I'm from Arizona. I haven't lived in snow ever before-how was I supposed to survive 6 months of -50degrees when living in my tent? So it was difficult, but I choose to decline that assignment. I thought that would make me look bad, like I couldn't/wouldn't adapt, or that I wasn't flexible. But instead, my PO sounded happy that I told him my concerns ahead of time. Always be honest with them! I'm so glad that I didn't keep my mouth shut because I have this feeling that I would get sick of the extreme cold about 3 months into it and decide to leave. That's not the experience I wanted from Peace Corps. So, weeks later (much later), I was emailed my new assignment. I poured through the 20+ pages of information before I emailed back an emphatic YES!. I was so happy about this assignment to Bulgaria. I don't know what it is about it, but I don't think I could have chosen a better one myself. I'm so excited. It's a great time in this country's history, and to be a part of that growth. What an adventure. Training: Oh my god... This really is "Mental Boot Camp". The days all have their ups and downs, but I actually feel productive. Most of the time. This sectoin will be added to throughout my next 6 weeks of training. Right now I'm a little disillusioned because I start Model School on Fridayand have no idea what is expected of me. I guess that comes with the territory. At least I'm not a CED!!! Site: (Nov. 2001) Well, training ended without a hitch. I'm now living in Karnobat teaching 8th graders. I must admit I'm very lucky with my assignment. I have an incredible town, and my job is wonderful. I feel like I know everyone in town, but maybe that's just because everyone knows who I am! (I'm the english teacher-duh!) I have made some incredible friends here, and really enjoy sitting at the cafe with them, attempting to talk in bulgarian. They are all very supportive, and do anything they can to help me feel supported. They are even talking about killing a turkey just so they can give me a "normal" Thanksgiving!! I love it here. |
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| This page was last updated on 07/17/02 |
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