I've been doing lots of research on Ethiopia the last few weeks, though not as much since I've been in Florida fighting through theme park crowds lately. I found out that Ethiopia is pretty much the birthplace of reggae culture, and that the word Rastafarian is based in the Ethiopian language Amharic. It makes me wonder if the Peace Corps could have put me any place further from my interests. But then I get excited, because I know that I'll be able to take an interest in and understand a culture that has never been in my path, in my line of sight. Maybe it also means that my family will be less likely to understand and empathize when I get back, but that's something that I'll have to prepare to deal with. Reverse-culture shock made me confused and miserable for six months after I got back from Japan, and I'm hoping that experience will help me deal with it in August of 2014.
We've been sent loads of Amharic material that will help us transition. Turns out Amharic, while difficult to learn for English-speakers, is not as difficult as Japanese (officially, nothing is) so that is somewhat of a comfort. The language sounds beautiful, but there are over 200 characters that I'll have to learn. I'm starting today with five, and just learning five characters and 10 words a day until...well probably for a good long time.
My first semester in Japan consisted of 10 weeks of intensive, 5 hours a day of Japanese study. Amharic lessons, as far as I have seen, will be around 4-5 hours a day for about a month, then we'll all have a second language to add to it. So, I'm thinking I'm not going to be very good in either language. At all. But I'm really really really excited to try!
Anyway, mostly positive feelings, some overwhelmed feelings. Departure is coming up really fast, and I still feel like there's so much purchasing and saying goodbye that I have to do yet. Most of it will have to wait until I get back to Michigan on Monday. Until then, I'm going to bug my family by trying to speak in Amharic to them! They have to learn this shit too goddamnit!
:)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sad Day
So I've been prepping my bosses and coworkers for weeks that I'm quitting soon. My last day at the Kroc Center was today, and I spent four hours at work this morning playing with toddlers for the last time. I sort of said my goodbyes to my coworkers over the weekend, but today a couple of kids came in who I see almost every week, and I just felt so grateful that I got to see them. I was even friends with their mother; one of the girls was only 1, and she used to cry every time she was left there. I was there and able to calm her down the first couple of times, so their mother starting asking for me after that. The girl has since become comfortable enough to stay without any fuss, but the mom still always recognizes me and is very nice to me.
Me: Lucy fell down today while she was playing with the walker. She didn't cry or anything, but she does have a little red mark on her forehead....
Lucy's Mom: So you hit her.
Me: Exactly.
Lucy's Mom: Haha, okay, well we'll see you next time!
So I made sure to hug both girls and play with them the whole time, and at some point I thought, "I'm so glad I got to see them...." which was fine, but was then followed by, "...because I'll probably never see them again." And I just started to feel absolutely awful, and even teared up a little. Then their mom came in and I helped to put their shoes on, and I thought about telling her that it was my last day, but I realized that I wouldn't be able to do it without crying, so I just let it go and hoped that my coworker wouldn't say anything. They left, and I felt even worse.
I love my coworkers there, and my job is really easy and fun, but having it's knowing that I'll never play with some of those kids again that really disturbs me. I've gotten to know some of them so well, watched them grow even.
One little girl never spoke a word of English the first couple of months she came, up until last week when she was using words and sentences in English, and she was so much happier!
Like Lucy, several toddlers cried the first several times they came in, until they warmed up to us and started crying when they had to leave instead.
A 4-year-old boy came in for the first time on Saturday and started crying in the corner when there were no other kids to play with. We promised to find his dad and I sat with him and colored, looked out the window and talked with him about the pool, his siblings, his school, until he was having a great time. When he left I asked if he would like to come back and play some more some time, and he asked, "Will you be here next time?" And I said yes to make sure that he was comfortable, and he agreed to come back. I know that I'll probably never see him again.
After work I ran some errands, had lunch (watched some Avatar), and went to tutoring. It was another easy day, chatting with my students, running vocabulary drills, and chatting with Laurie. At the end of the day I spoke with her about assigning my students to new tutors, which I had avoided doing because they didn't get along with the other tutors except Laurie, who has plenty of students. I finally decided who to put with who, and went into the main room to add my students to other tutors' lists. Just writing their names, names that I'd written at least twice a week for the last six months, names of students who I'd seen, worked, and spoken with several times a week since October, onto lists for other people, felt awful. I started tearing up again, sniffling, and trying to joke about it to avoid seeming callous without actually crying.
I keep telling the kids that I'll visit the school again in September of 2014, when they're all seniors. They keep joking that I won't be able to recognize them, and vice versa. I'm pretty sure that's true.
I hope I don't cry Thursday, when I actually have to say goodbye to them.
Me: Lucy fell down today while she was playing with the walker. She didn't cry or anything, but she does have a little red mark on her forehead....
Lucy's Mom: So you hit her.
Me: Exactly.
Lucy's Mom: Haha, okay, well we'll see you next time!
So I made sure to hug both girls and play with them the whole time, and at some point I thought, "I'm so glad I got to see them...." which was fine, but was then followed by, "...because I'll probably never see them again." And I just started to feel absolutely awful, and even teared up a little. Then their mom came in and I helped to put their shoes on, and I thought about telling her that it was my last day, but I realized that I wouldn't be able to do it without crying, so I just let it go and hoped that my coworker wouldn't say anything. They left, and I felt even worse.
I love my coworkers there, and my job is really easy and fun, but having it's knowing that I'll never play with some of those kids again that really disturbs me. I've gotten to know some of them so well, watched them grow even.
One little girl never spoke a word of English the first couple of months she came, up until last week when she was using words and sentences in English, and she was so much happier!
Like Lucy, several toddlers cried the first several times they came in, until they warmed up to us and started crying when they had to leave instead.
A 4-year-old boy came in for the first time on Saturday and started crying in the corner when there were no other kids to play with. We promised to find his dad and I sat with him and colored, looked out the window and talked with him about the pool, his siblings, his school, until he was having a great time. When he left I asked if he would like to come back and play some more some time, and he asked, "Will you be here next time?" And I said yes to make sure that he was comfortable, and he agreed to come back. I know that I'll probably never see him again.
After work I ran some errands, had lunch (watched some Avatar), and went to tutoring. It was another easy day, chatting with my students, running vocabulary drills, and chatting with Laurie. At the end of the day I spoke with her about assigning my students to new tutors, which I had avoided doing because they didn't get along with the other tutors except Laurie, who has plenty of students. I finally decided who to put with who, and went into the main room to add my students to other tutors' lists. Just writing their names, names that I'd written at least twice a week for the last six months, names of students who I'd seen, worked, and spoken with several times a week since October, onto lists for other people, felt awful. I started tearing up again, sniffling, and trying to joke about it to avoid seeming callous without actually crying.
I keep telling the kids that I'll visit the school again in September of 2014, when they're all seniors. They keep joking that I won't be able to recognize them, and vice versa. I'm pretty sure that's true.
I hope I don't cry Thursday, when I actually have to say goodbye to them.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Timeline
March 19, 2011 -- Submitted Application
March 30, 2011 -- Submitted Background Checks and Transcripts
May 24, 2011 -- Interview
July 7, 2011 -- Nominated
January 24, 2012 -- Submitted Medical Kit
February 1, 2012 -- Dental Clearance
February 9, 2012 -- Submitted Additional Medical Documents
February 10, 2012 -- Medical Clearance
February 17, 2012 -- Submitted Updated Resume
March 15, 2012 -- Email from PO
March 21, 2012 -- Placement Interview
March 26, 2012 -- Received Invitation
March 27, 2012 -- Accepted Invitation
March 30, 2011 -- Submitted Background Checks and Transcripts
May 24, 2011 -- Interview
July 7, 2011 -- Nominated
January 24, 2012 -- Submitted Medical Kit
February 1, 2012 -- Dental Clearance
February 9, 2012 -- Submitted Additional Medical Documents
February 10, 2012 -- Medical Clearance
February 17, 2012 -- Submitted Updated Resume
March 15, 2012 -- Email from PO
March 21, 2012 -- Placement Interview
March 26, 2012 -- Received Invitation
March 27, 2012 -- Accepted Invitation
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Invitation Packet
So, after taking a day to really consider what I was doing -- and finding that I was way more excited and eager than worried and scared -- I sent in my acceptance email for Ethiopia.
I had briefly looked in the invitation packet and found myself overwhelmed. Now I knew I would have to look over everything, fill out and send in every form...I'm still working on it, actually, because it just seems like so much.
Making up a new resume was the easiest, especially since they give you the exact format they want. Then I wrote an awkward aspiration statement and sent in both files.
Next, I made an appointment for a Yellow Fever vaccine. They were out at the health department, but they had some at a local clinic. Apparently, a large portion of people who get the vaccine experience flu-like symptoms, so I was looking forward to that. I just got a headache and a $135 bill. The Peace Corps will reimburse me if I don't lose the receipt.....
During this I worked on my visa and PC passport applications. They were fairly simple, and I had a couple of pictures taken at Walgreens. I sent everything in in an envelope provided in the packet, postage paid and all. Two days later, while I was halfway to town on a family bike ride, I received a call from SATO Travel saying that my visa form had ripped and I scratched something out on the passport form, so I'd have to redo both. I did, paid $3 for postage and sent it back in. The nice man at SATO Travel called me Monday to let me know it all looks okay now.
I took a few minutes to fill out information for the local papers yesterday. Apparently, they send the same information to all papers in the area in case they want to let the community know what I'm doing... seems awkward, but I like talking to people, so maybe it will be fun to answer random questions from people who saw my photo in the paper.
I filled out a few insurance forms and didn't sign them, as I'm supposed to wait until training. I think that's about it.
I got three bills in the mail yesterday from a collection agency in Niles saying that I owed the hospital over $700. So...I'm assuming that they're referring to the blood work that my clinic sent there when I had my physical in October, but I never got billed for that, and I assumed that the expenses form I gave to my doctor went to cover it. So, I sent a letter to the collection agency asking for more information, and sent in an application for DHS to maybe pay it. It's disappointing, because I have this huge list of things I need to buy before I go, and I was only hoping I'd have enough money for most of it...$700 breaks me.
So, I still need to fax in my Yellow Fever vaccine info, which is on a nifty yellow WHO card, making me feel like a world explorer.
But everything I've read about Ethiopia makes me more excited about going. I watched a couple of videos on Youtube today of current volunteers, and it looked crazy! But so completely doable!
I get to quit my jobs at the end of the month and spend 10 days on vacation with my family in Tennessee and Florida. Then a couple weeks to finish packing, and I'm off! I'm not going to work the last couple of weeks, but I decided I would still try to volunteer in Niles. I love that place, and I'm going to miss the people there so much.
I had briefly looked in the invitation packet and found myself overwhelmed. Now I knew I would have to look over everything, fill out and send in every form...I'm still working on it, actually, because it just seems like so much.
Making up a new resume was the easiest, especially since they give you the exact format they want. Then I wrote an awkward aspiration statement and sent in both files.
Next, I made an appointment for a Yellow Fever vaccine. They were out at the health department, but they had some at a local clinic. Apparently, a large portion of people who get the vaccine experience flu-like symptoms, so I was looking forward to that. I just got a headache and a $135 bill. The Peace Corps will reimburse me if I don't lose the receipt.....
During this I worked on my visa and PC passport applications. They were fairly simple, and I had a couple of pictures taken at Walgreens. I sent everything in in an envelope provided in the packet, postage paid and all. Two days later, while I was halfway to town on a family bike ride, I received a call from SATO Travel saying that my visa form had ripped and I scratched something out on the passport form, so I'd have to redo both. I did, paid $3 for postage and sent it back in. The nice man at SATO Travel called me Monday to let me know it all looks okay now.
I took a few minutes to fill out information for the local papers yesterday. Apparently, they send the same information to all papers in the area in case they want to let the community know what I'm doing... seems awkward, but I like talking to people, so maybe it will be fun to answer random questions from people who saw my photo in the paper.
I filled out a few insurance forms and didn't sign them, as I'm supposed to wait until training. I think that's about it.
I got three bills in the mail yesterday from a collection agency in Niles saying that I owed the hospital over $700. So...I'm assuming that they're referring to the blood work that my clinic sent there when I had my physical in October, but I never got billed for that, and I assumed that the expenses form I gave to my doctor went to cover it. So, I sent a letter to the collection agency asking for more information, and sent in an application for DHS to maybe pay it. It's disappointing, because I have this huge list of things I need to buy before I go, and I was only hoping I'd have enough money for most of it...$700 breaks me.
So, I still need to fax in my Yellow Fever vaccine info, which is on a nifty yellow WHO card, making me feel like a world explorer.
But everything I've read about Ethiopia makes me more excited about going. I watched a couple of videos on Youtube today of current volunteers, and it looked crazy! But so completely doable!
I get to quit my jobs at the end of the month and spend 10 days on vacation with my family in Tennessee and Florida. Then a couple weeks to finish packing, and I'm off! I'm not going to work the last couple of weeks, but I decided I would still try to volunteer in Niles. I love that place, and I'm going to miss the people there so much.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Ethiopia!
My invitation arrived Monday night, much sooner than I expected!
Over the weekend, I'd compiled a list of the countries I was hoping to get. Burkina Faso was at the top, followed by Ethiopia, Senegal, and Benin, all for various reasons. My dad had been making fun of me over Ethiopia: he says that in the 60's and 70's it was considered the worst place in the world.
So when I opened my packet, my first emotion was amusement. Because I was going to Ethiopia!
The packet is huge, and I've been going through it for almost a full day, but it seems like I've been doing research on Ethiopia for like a week.
I've definitely decided to accept the invitation. I still have mixed feelings, though, because Ethiopia is one of the least stable and safe countries in the Peace Corps. They keep pulling volunteers out because Ethiopia keeps getting into fights with the neighboring Eritrea. Plus, it's treatment of women is pretty poor, and a third of the population is Muslim.
It's a lot to think about, but after reading about the living conditions from current volunteers and realizing that because of budget constraints, there's no way I'd get a second invitation anyway, I decided that I should grab up this adventure and hope for the best. Luckily my mom can't google.
Something my dad may not realize: Ethiopia is still considered the poorest, dirtiest place on earth. At least by the people I know. The few times so far that I have announced my country, I've gotten looks saying, "Oh God, I'm so sorry," rather than "congratulations!" and people keep wincing or cringing instead of smiling.
Well anyway, I'm mostly excited and ready to sort of dive in! Current volunteers say to expect the worse and be pleasantly surprised, but I'm still going to hope to live in the highlands with moderate temperatures and at least a few hours a day/days a week of electricity.
Over the weekend, I'd compiled a list of the countries I was hoping to get. Burkina Faso was at the top, followed by Ethiopia, Senegal, and Benin, all for various reasons. My dad had been making fun of me over Ethiopia: he says that in the 60's and 70's it was considered the worst place in the world.
So when I opened my packet, my first emotion was amusement. Because I was going to Ethiopia!
The packet is huge, and I've been going through it for almost a full day, but it seems like I've been doing research on Ethiopia for like a week.
I've definitely decided to accept the invitation. I still have mixed feelings, though, because Ethiopia is one of the least stable and safe countries in the Peace Corps. They keep pulling volunteers out because Ethiopia keeps getting into fights with the neighboring Eritrea. Plus, it's treatment of women is pretty poor, and a third of the population is Muslim.
It's a lot to think about, but after reading about the living conditions from current volunteers and realizing that because of budget constraints, there's no way I'd get a second invitation anyway, I decided that I should grab up this adventure and hope for the best. Luckily my mom can't google.
Something my dad may not realize: Ethiopia is still considered the poorest, dirtiest place on earth. At least by the people I know. The few times so far that I have announced my country, I've gotten looks saying, "Oh God, I'm so sorry," rather than "congratulations!" and people keep wincing or cringing instead of smiling.
Well anyway, I'm mostly excited and ready to sort of dive in! Current volunteers say to expect the worse and be pleasantly surprised, but I'm still going to hope to live in the highlands with moderate temperatures and at least a few hours a day/days a week of electricity.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Final Interview
The final interview went pretty much as I expected it to today. It took about 40 minutes in all, and my placement officer asked me questions about what I'd done to prepare for service, what I expected when I got there, etc. She also commented on something I mentioned in my interview last year in Chicago, which was crazy. She must have to go through so much information to make sure people are suitable!
In the end, she just said that it would take around 10 days for the invite to reach me. She said it would be for Africa in early June. I hope not too early, because I still want to go on vacation to Florida in June! But I'll leave whenever they want me to, of course.
The whole last five minutes of it, when she was talking about the invitation, I was just grinning and saying, "Uh huh, ok!"
I was really excited when I finished, and I sort of wanted someone to talk to about it, but Michelle wasn't answering her phone, so I texted Sara but she was in class. So I posted on the Future Volunteers Facebook group and they were all excited for me. That page has been such a help!
Going to Africa means I will be much less likely to have electricity and other amenities. I named this hardship as the thing I'm most worried about in my service, and my placement officer said that was normal, and that it would probably turn out to be the easiest thing to get used to.
I thought about leaving my computer and phone behind, and I actually felt a bubble of glee rise up in me! Then I thought about my ipod....
My ipod! I never thought about having to leave my ipod behind!
If I don't have electricity, it makes sense that I can't have things that have to charge. My camera, sure, I can just use it sparingly and charge it when I'm in the city. But my ipod! To not have music at my disposal...that's something I just hadn't considered before!
I just can't leave it behind. I won't. I'll hope for the best and charge it when I can...it has like 48 hours of battery life when it just plays music, so maybe if I use it sparingly I can get by with charging it once a month. Maybe it will just make listening to it all the sweeter.
I've thought about a lot of random things like this in the last few weeks, so maybe I'll start rambling about them while I wait for my invitation to arrive!
In the end, she just said that it would take around 10 days for the invite to reach me. She said it would be for Africa in early June. I hope not too early, because I still want to go on vacation to Florida in June! But I'll leave whenever they want me to, of course.
The whole last five minutes of it, when she was talking about the invitation, I was just grinning and saying, "Uh huh, ok!"
I was really excited when I finished, and I sort of wanted someone to talk to about it, but Michelle wasn't answering her phone, so I texted Sara but she was in class. So I posted on the Future Volunteers Facebook group and they were all excited for me. That page has been such a help!
Going to Africa means I will be much less likely to have electricity and other amenities. I named this hardship as the thing I'm most worried about in my service, and my placement officer said that was normal, and that it would probably turn out to be the easiest thing to get used to.
I thought about leaving my computer and phone behind, and I actually felt a bubble of glee rise up in me! Then I thought about my ipod....
My ipod! I never thought about having to leave my ipod behind!
If I don't have electricity, it makes sense that I can't have things that have to charge. My camera, sure, I can just use it sparingly and charge it when I'm in the city. But my ipod! To not have music at my disposal...that's something I just hadn't considered before!
I just can't leave it behind. I won't. I'll hope for the best and charge it when I can...it has like 48 hours of battery life when it just plays music, so maybe if I use it sparingly I can get by with charging it once a month. Maybe it will just make listening to it all the sweeter.
I've thought about a lot of random things like this in the last few weeks, so maybe I'll start rambling about them while I wait for my invitation to arrive!
Placement Officer
So after I sent in my availability information last week, I received an email back saying that my Placement Officer would call me Wednesday at 2pm for the final interview. She all stated that she would be interviewing me for a position in Africa leaving in June.
My original nomination was Asia in June. For a moment I was disappointed because I'd spent the last nine months or so researching and preparing for two years in China or Mongolia. But then I realized that going to Africa meant using my French, it meant going to a place where people don't often vacation, and I got excited again after about 30 seconds.
Africa is a very different experience from Asia. Africa is completely unfamiliar to me, and I am much less likely to have electricity or running water.
Overall, I'm more nervous about it than I was with an Asia nomination, but I'm just as ready to get going! My interview is in about 3 hours and I've been researching possible sites and questions she may ask me. It seems that this interview will be much easier than the one I had in Chicago last year. I hope she gives me info about my placement or at least whether or not I'll be invited!
My original nomination was Asia in June. For a moment I was disappointed because I'd spent the last nine months or so researching and preparing for two years in China or Mongolia. But then I realized that going to Africa meant using my French, it meant going to a place where people don't often vacation, and I got excited again after about 30 seconds.
Africa is a very different experience from Asia. Africa is completely unfamiliar to me, and I am much less likely to have electricity or running water.
Overall, I'm more nervous about it than I was with an Asia nomination, but I'm just as ready to get going! My interview is in about 3 hours and I've been researching possible sites and questions she may ask me. It seems that this interview will be much easier than the one I had in Chicago last year. I hope she gives me info about my placement or at least whether or not I'll be invited!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Finally!
I got an email from a placement officer today, and THANK GOD I'm still in the June-July section. So there's a chance I'll still be going to China, but really REALLY I'll go pretty much anywhere.
So I answered a few basic questions about ideas about placement and availability for a phone interview. Hopefully we'll set that up for next week.
A lot of nominees have said that they find out that they're invited, and sometimes where they're going, at the end of the phone interview. I hope that happens with me.
So I answered a few basic questions about ideas about placement and availability for a phone interview. Hopefully we'll set that up for next week.
A lot of nominees have said that they find out that they're invited, and sometimes where they're going, at the end of the phone interview. I hope that happens with me.
Friday, March 9, 2012
J'attends et j'attends
On February 22nd, I received an email from the Skills Assessment desk confirming receipt of my final resume. So it took them like five days to open the email, but at least I know they're keeping in touch with me. Their email restated the fact that I should not contact them unless I have a question, and should instead wait patiently for an email from a Placement Officer.
Which I'm still awaiting.
I don't have internet at my house right now, so everyday I find a way to check my email, and everyday I'm disappointed. Then I get on facebook in the "Future PCV" page and all these people are so happy and talking about their POs and invitations. I'm so insanely jealous!
Plus, many programs have been cut or pushed back due to budget cuts and a large influx of applicants. I'd hate to have to wait until August or September to leave, but it seems pretty likely at this point. However, I really won't know until a PO contacts me!!!
It's frustrating. I just want some progress, something to work on!
Which I'm still awaiting.
I don't have internet at my house right now, so everyday I find a way to check my email, and everyday I'm disappointed. Then I get on facebook in the "Future PCV" page and all these people are so happy and talking about their POs and invitations. I'm so insanely jealous!
Plus, many programs have been cut or pushed back due to budget cuts and a large influx of applicants. I'd hate to have to wait until August or September to leave, but it seems pretty likely at this point. However, I really won't know until a PO contacts me!!!
It's frustrating. I just want some progress, something to work on!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Updated Resume Request
I finally got an email from placement today for an updated resume. They want a really nice, professional resume with information on my volunteer and work experience. The email also pushes the fact that they will contact me afterwards, and that I may have to wait a while.
I'm just glad things are moving along! I'm going to work on my resume now!
I'm just glad things are moving along! I'm going to work on my resume now!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Medical Clearance!
I received my letter today for medical clearance. I felt really excited last week when I thought it would probably be true, but now I still feel anxious. I'm finding it hard to believe that I won't have to call around and make more appointments. But I don't have to! I'm done! Now I'm waiting again, this time for a Placement Officer to contact me. If one doesn't by the end of the week, I'm going to email them. I DO NOT want my staging date to move to September or something.
I realized a few days ago that the most pure happiness I'll experience through this whole process is probably during the application. I was so freaking amazed and thrilled when I was nominated, and last week when I was pretty sure I had medical clearance, I kept reminding myself of it when I was having a hard time at work. When I get my invitation, I'm going to seriously take a couple of days off work just to run around spitting happy.
And I realize that when I actually go to staging, training, and then service, my emotions will probably be more like apprehensive excitement, anxious interest, etc., but never pure excited happiness. So, I've decided to enjoy my application process to its fullest. :)
I realized a few days ago that the most pure happiness I'll experience through this whole process is probably during the application. I was so freaking amazed and thrilled when I was nominated, and last week when I was pretty sure I had medical clearance, I kept reminding myself of it when I was having a hard time at work. When I get my invitation, I'm going to seriously take a couple of days off work just to run around spitting happy.
And I realize that when I actually go to staging, training, and then service, my emotions will probably be more like apprehensive excitement, anxious interest, etc., but never pure excited happiness. So, I've decided to enjoy my application process to its fullest. :)
Friday, February 10, 2012
No News is Good News
The nurse reviewing my case told me yesterday that if I didn't hear anything from her today, then I was medically cleared.
I've heard nothing!!!
I still feel more cautiously optimistic than relieved; it won't be real until MyToolKit updates.
I have some ideas about why I wasn't asked to have extra blood work done for my high BMI. It was unlikely that my nurse missed it because my doctor wrote on my physical form, "BMI of 31, encouraged to lose some weight."
BUT, many people who went through this process said that in addition to the tests they had to go to nutritionists and receive healthy lifestyle counseling...perhaps my doctor's note convinced the nurse that I'd already received the necessary intervention?
Also, high blood pressure is a major issue with being overweight, and my blood pressure was actually under normal. Maybe that's somehow a positive thing?
Anyway, I don't know what it was and I'm not asking because I don't want to point it out if they just missed it. And it's always possible that next week I'll received additional paperwork for it.
Cautiously Optimistic.
I've heard nothing!!!
I still feel more cautiously optimistic than relieved; it won't be real until MyToolKit updates.
I have some ideas about why I wasn't asked to have extra blood work done for my high BMI. It was unlikely that my nurse missed it because my doctor wrote on my physical form, "BMI of 31, encouraged to lose some weight."
BUT, many people who went through this process said that in addition to the tests they had to go to nutritionists and receive healthy lifestyle counseling...perhaps my doctor's note convinced the nurse that I'd already received the necessary intervention?
Also, high blood pressure is a major issue with being overweight, and my blood pressure was actually under normal. Maybe that's somehow a positive thing?
Anyway, I don't know what it was and I'm not asking because I don't want to point it out if they just missed it. And it's always possible that next week I'll received additional paperwork for it.
Cautiously Optimistic.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Addition Medical Forms and My Current Status
I was Dentally Cleared on February 1, 2012! This was the easy part.
I had a few concerns about my medical history; although it's short, I do have low blood pressure and a high BMI. From what I'd heard, the BMI could merit additional blood work, which takes FOREVER at the reduced-price clinic. I'd waited probably 6 weeks for my blood work to come back last time!
So I felt like I was just waiting for this paper work so I could finally make more appointments and go through all the waiting again, but the paperwork I received from the Medical Office was much easier than I'd expected.
I got two requests in the mail on February 3: an allergy questionaire, and one page of my medical forms asking for clarification on a doctor's note.
So I filled out the questionnaire and made an appointment with my doctor for the following week.
I went in to see her, she made a quick note on my form stating that everything was fine (she DID NOT charge me for the session, because she's an amazing person), and I scanned everything into my email and sent it off to my nurse!
That was today, this afternoon. I was still feeling (still am feeling) apprehensive about having to do additional blood work for my BMI, so I asked in my email whether or not she thought I would need to submit any more information.
At this point, I believe it's safe to assume that she'd viewed my information pretty thoroughly. She kindly responded that she'd be reviewing my documents again in the morning, and that if I didn't hear from her by noon, then I was medically cleared!
I was so thrilled to hear this! I feel like it could still go wrong before noon, but I'm hoping that she'd looked over my information, blood work, seen that I don't have high blood pressure or other obesity related illnesses, and just let it slide....? I don't know. I'll update again tomorrow!
I had a few concerns about my medical history; although it's short, I do have low blood pressure and a high BMI. From what I'd heard, the BMI could merit additional blood work, which takes FOREVER at the reduced-price clinic. I'd waited probably 6 weeks for my blood work to come back last time!
So I felt like I was just waiting for this paper work so I could finally make more appointments and go through all the waiting again, but the paperwork I received from the Medical Office was much easier than I'd expected.
I got two requests in the mail on February 3: an allergy questionaire, and one page of my medical forms asking for clarification on a doctor's note.
So I filled out the questionnaire and made an appointment with my doctor for the following week.
I went in to see her, she made a quick note on my form stating that everything was fine (she DID NOT charge me for the session, because she's an amazing person), and I scanned everything into my email and sent it off to my nurse!
That was today, this afternoon. I was still feeling (still am feeling) apprehensive about having to do additional blood work for my BMI, so I asked in my email whether or not she thought I would need to submit any more information.
At this point, I believe it's safe to assume that she'd viewed my information pretty thoroughly. She kindly responded that she'd be reviewing my documents again in the morning, and that if I didn't hear from her by noon, then I was medically cleared!
I was so thrilled to hear this! I feel like it could still go wrong before noon, but I'm hoping that she'd looked over my information, blood work, seen that I don't have high blood pressure or other obesity related illnesses, and just let it slide....? I don't know. I'll update again tomorrow!
Medical Exam -- September 2011 to January 2012
The physical side of the medical paperwork proved a bigger challenge; I had no insurance, made around $150 a week, and didn't know anything about doctors.
The medical packet included information on VA hospitals. Veteran's Association Hospitals and Clinic would do the entire exam and bloodwork for no charge. THAT was what I wanted.
Chasing this dream of spending no money on my medical exam took an embarrassingly long time. I was nominated in July, and I finally gave up the dream in September.
I have heard several applicants who were successful with VA hospitals. I think being in a rural area made my search more difficult. I called every VA hospital within 100 miles, but none of them had space available to accept me. A couple even tried to make me feel bad for trying to take an appointment from a veteran or veteran's family.
I finally gave up and found a reduced price clinic 20 minutes from my house. This worked out great, because my income was so low that I only had to pay $20 per visit.
I had my physical exam and pap smear in the first visit, then had all the blood work done a week later.
The only problem I ran into was that I needed a polio booster. Apparently, public clinics don't keep this in stock for people over 18, so they referred me to travel clinics and health departments in the area.
I tried the travel clinic first because it was closest to my work. I called to make an appointment, and they informed me that in order to have the shot -- which was around $45, reasonable -- I would have to have a full physical by one of their physicians for around $185. I tried to politely decline, but I think I was laughing in disbelief when I heard that.
I tried the Cass County Health Department next. They made an appointment for me, had me wait 20 minutes for a nurse, and then informed me that they had none in stock for private patients over 18.
I tried the St. Joseph County Health Department -- a larger, more urban county -- and was finally able to get the shot.
Payment-wise, I've heard of people spending upwards of $1500 on all of their medical and dental work. I ended up spending around $85. I feel like I made out pretty well!
Between waiting for appointments, waiting for bloodwork to come back, and tracking down a polio vaccine, I wasn't able to submit my medical information until the beginning of January. MyToolKit updated as received on January 25th (a full 3 WEEKS after I mailed it out btw, that was nerve-wrecking).
The medical packet included information on VA hospitals. Veteran's Association Hospitals and Clinic would do the entire exam and bloodwork for no charge. THAT was what I wanted.
Chasing this dream of spending no money on my medical exam took an embarrassingly long time. I was nominated in July, and I finally gave up the dream in September.
I have heard several applicants who were successful with VA hospitals. I think being in a rural area made my search more difficult. I called every VA hospital within 100 miles, but none of them had space available to accept me. A couple even tried to make me feel bad for trying to take an appointment from a veteran or veteran's family.
I finally gave up and found a reduced price clinic 20 minutes from my house. This worked out great, because my income was so low that I only had to pay $20 per visit.
I had my physical exam and pap smear in the first visit, then had all the blood work done a week later.
The only problem I ran into was that I needed a polio booster. Apparently, public clinics don't keep this in stock for people over 18, so they referred me to travel clinics and health departments in the area.
I tried the travel clinic first because it was closest to my work. I called to make an appointment, and they informed me that in order to have the shot -- which was around $45, reasonable -- I would have to have a full physical by one of their physicians for around $185. I tried to politely decline, but I think I was laughing in disbelief when I heard that.
I tried the Cass County Health Department next. They made an appointment for me, had me wait 20 minutes for a nurse, and then informed me that they had none in stock for private patients over 18.
I tried the St. Joseph County Health Department -- a larger, more urban county -- and was finally able to get the shot.
Payment-wise, I've heard of people spending upwards of $1500 on all of their medical and dental work. I ended up spending around $85. I feel like I made out pretty well!
Between waiting for appointments, waiting for bloodwork to come back, and tracking down a polio vaccine, I wasn't able to submit my medical information until the beginning of January. MyToolKit updated as received on January 25th (a full 3 WEEKS after I mailed it out btw, that was nerve-wrecking).
Dental Exams -- July to August 2011
I received my medical documents a few days after my nomination, and I was pretty overwhelmed by the amount of time and money that would have to go into it. Included in the package was advice on how to reduce costs, so I started researching like crazy.
Dental was easy; the package included a website that listed doctors all over the country who would complete the Dental Exam for FREE. I looked up a couple in my area: the first was unavailable, the second made me an appointment. I went in, got my stuff done, and left! The nurse was super nice, the doctor quick and efficient.
I'd just gotten dental work the year before, including the removal of my wisdom teeth, so the dentist told me right away that everything was a-ok. I made sure he filled in everything, and they printed off my x-rays and sent me on my way!
Dental was easy; the package included a website that listed doctors all over the country who would complete the Dental Exam for FREE. I looked up a couple in my area: the first was unavailable, the second made me an appointment. I went in, got my stuff done, and left! The nurse was super nice, the doctor quick and efficient.
I'd just gotten dental work the year before, including the removal of my wisdom teeth, so the dentist told me right away that everything was a-ok. I made sure he filled in everything, and they printed off my x-rays and sent me on my way!
Nomination -- July 2011
On July 7, 2011, I received an email from my recruiter nominating me for an English Teaching Position in Asia leaving in June 2012. I was so excited! I told everyone in my family, texted everyone in my phone, and announced it on facebook!
Then I became concerned. My recruiter sent me a second email -- including attached skills addendum -- explaining that my nominated program included teaching English in a university setting.
At this point I'd done all the research on possible programs, and I knew that university teaching required a Master's degree. Which I did not and would not possess.
So I emailed my recruiter, and we eventually made contact over the phone and she explained to me that the program was a high school teaching position with university teaching on the side, so I would not have to have a Master's to be competitive. She also said that, because I had experience tutoring ESL for adults, a degree in English, and I'd been to Asia, that I was in fact the MOST qualified person she'd nominated so far!
After hearing that, I felt great again! I just had to wait for my medical packets!
Then I became concerned. My recruiter sent me a second email -- including attached skills addendum -- explaining that my nominated program included teaching English in a university setting.
At this point I'd done all the research on possible programs, and I knew that university teaching required a Master's degree. Which I did not and would not possess.
So I emailed my recruiter, and we eventually made contact over the phone and she explained to me that the program was a high school teaching position with university teaching on the side, so I would not have to have a Master's to be competitive. She also said that, because I had experience tutoring ESL for adults, a degree in English, and I'd been to Asia, that I was in fact the MOST qualified person she'd nominated so far!
After hearing that, I felt great again! I just had to wait for my medical packets!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Interview -- May 2011
On May 4th, I received an e-mail from my recruiter in Chicago telling me the time and date of my interview -- May 24th, 2011 at 10:30am at their Chicago office.
I was terrified.
I hate interviews, they're nerve-wrecking and I always leave them feeling like I've answered every question wrong. The fact that it would take place in Chicago worried me too, since it would be about a 2-hour drive and I'd be lucky to find parking anywhere near the office.
So, as usual when I'm stressing, I did loads of research.
I started by attending an online informational session. It was recommended by my recruiter in the e-mail, but it turned out to be fairly unhelpful as it wasn't specific to the interviewing process.
I then perused the Peace Corps wiki for interview questions and topics. By the time I left for Chicago, I had literally gone over all the possible questions and answers dozens of times. I did not want to be caught without a response.
Finally, I said 'fuck it' to driving and convinced a friend to take the train with me and spend the day with me in Chicago. I booked tickets that would give us about an hour to find the office before my interview, and five hours to shop and sight-see. (My interview time was changed on May 11th to 3pm, so we ended up wandering first.)
The friend I went with was very enthusiastic -- she'd never been on a train before -- and she helped me go over my questions again and again on the way.
When we got to the Peace Corps office, I was all nerves hidden behind numb determination. I was as prepared as I'd ever be.
I signed in, and ten minutes later my recruiter led me to her office.
I'd heard -- and have since heard -- many horror stories about recruiters being discouraging with applicants, perhaps in an attempt to weed out less serious candidates. But my recruiter was wonderful.
She politely explained the process: she would be asking questions and typing my answers on her computer while I replied. It was a little weird with occasional silences while she finished typing, but she was polite with her responses and genuinely interested in what I had to say.
She asked if I had any questions, and I rattled off a couple I had come up with on the train. She shared her experiences in South America and asked questions back. It was very informal and nice.
When I left the interview, I actually felt GOOD about how it had gone!
It's amazing how everyone's experiences in each leg of the journey can be so different! I was and am very thankful to have my recruiter working with me!
The next day, my recruiter e-mailed me to request a Statement of Financial Obligation ( to be sure that my student loans would be defered and my dad would pay my credit card bills) and a reference from a Volunteer supervisor (which I could now get, because I'd been volunteering at the Salvation Army as a receptionist twice a week for three months!)
Overall, it was actually an easy and reassuring process. I felt like my recruiter was on my side, working with me to achieve one goal. And I feel very fortunate for her!
I was terrified.
I hate interviews, they're nerve-wrecking and I always leave them feeling like I've answered every question wrong. The fact that it would take place in Chicago worried me too, since it would be about a 2-hour drive and I'd be lucky to find parking anywhere near the office.
So, as usual when I'm stressing, I did loads of research.
I started by attending an online informational session. It was recommended by my recruiter in the e-mail, but it turned out to be fairly unhelpful as it wasn't specific to the interviewing process.
I then perused the Peace Corps wiki for interview questions and topics. By the time I left for Chicago, I had literally gone over all the possible questions and answers dozens of times. I did not want to be caught without a response.
Finally, I said 'fuck it' to driving and convinced a friend to take the train with me and spend the day with me in Chicago. I booked tickets that would give us about an hour to find the office before my interview, and five hours to shop and sight-see. (My interview time was changed on May 11th to 3pm, so we ended up wandering first.)
The friend I went with was very enthusiastic -- she'd never been on a train before -- and she helped me go over my questions again and again on the way.
When we got to the Peace Corps office, I was all nerves hidden behind numb determination. I was as prepared as I'd ever be.
I signed in, and ten minutes later my recruiter led me to her office.
I'd heard -- and have since heard -- many horror stories about recruiters being discouraging with applicants, perhaps in an attempt to weed out less serious candidates. But my recruiter was wonderful.
She politely explained the process: she would be asking questions and typing my answers on her computer while I replied. It was a little weird with occasional silences while she finished typing, but she was polite with her responses and genuinely interested in what I had to say.
She asked if I had any questions, and I rattled off a couple I had come up with on the train. She shared her experiences in South America and asked questions back. It was very informal and nice.
When I left the interview, I actually felt GOOD about how it had gone!
It's amazing how everyone's experiences in each leg of the journey can be so different! I was and am very thankful to have my recruiter working with me!
The next day, my recruiter e-mailed me to request a Statement of Financial Obligation ( to be sure that my student loans would be defered and my dad would pay my credit card bills) and a reference from a Volunteer supervisor (which I could now get, because I'd been volunteering at the Salvation Army as a receptionist twice a week for three months!)
Overall, it was actually an easy and reassuring process. I felt like my recruiter was on my side, working with me to achieve one goal. And I feel very fortunate for her!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Background Checks and Transcripts -- March 2011
Since I submitted my application online, I received a package in the mail about two days later with fingerprint charts and a form for an FBI background check. It also stated that I should submit all of my transcripts.
I was extremely excited about my application at this point, so I actually completed all of this information the next day! I called a friend to let her know that I would be having my fingerprints taken (I knew it was something she'd want to see...), and headed over to the police department.
Getting fingerprinted there was messy: a nice police officer covered my fingers in ink and held my hand as he ran each one over the right box. It cost $10.
After that, I took my transcripts from Grand Valley and ICU Japan and ran over to SMC, where I filled out a quick form and got a copy of those transcripts as well. I made color copies at the library for about $2 total, filled out the FBI form (name, address, birthday, weight, etc.), and mailed everything in right away!
I was concerned, since submitting my application, about my volunteer experience. I'm not a particularly social person, and volunteering seemed like an awkward and inconsistent affair -- of course I'd never really experienced it much before -- but I figured for the sake of my application I would find some sort of regular volunteer work.
I literally googled "volunteer opportunities in dowagiac," and quickly found a position as a Receptionist at a Salvation Army in Niles! I love paperwork, answering phones, and most of all, sitting down all day! :D
I went in for an interview the last week of February. I was surprised to find that The Salvation Army was not a thrift store, but a church which specializes in social services like helping people with food and paying their bills. Everyone there was kind and patient, and so I started coming in twice a week for three hours a day on March 1st, 2011.
I was extremely excited about my application at this point, so I actually completed all of this information the next day! I called a friend to let her know that I would be having my fingerprints taken (I knew it was something she'd want to see...), and headed over to the police department.
Getting fingerprinted there was messy: a nice police officer covered my fingers in ink and held my hand as he ran each one over the right box. It cost $10.
After that, I took my transcripts from Grand Valley and ICU Japan and ran over to SMC, where I filled out a quick form and got a copy of those transcripts as well. I made color copies at the library for about $2 total, filled out the FBI form (name, address, birthday, weight, etc.), and mailed everything in right away!
I was concerned, since submitting my application, about my volunteer experience. I'm not a particularly social person, and volunteering seemed like an awkward and inconsistent affair -- of course I'd never really experienced it much before -- but I figured for the sake of my application I would find some sort of regular volunteer work.
I literally googled "volunteer opportunities in dowagiac," and quickly found a position as a Receptionist at a Salvation Army in Niles! I love paperwork, answering phones, and most of all, sitting down all day! :D
I went in for an interview the last week of February. I was surprised to find that The Salvation Army was not a thrift store, but a church which specializes in social services like helping people with food and paying their bills. Everyone there was kind and patient, and so I started coming in twice a week for three hours a day on March 1st, 2011.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Application -- Feb. Mar. 2011
The application for the Peace Corps probably took me 2 hours to fill out. I had to look up addresses and phone numbers for places I'd worked and lived in the past five years or so.
But it was the reference section that had mehesitating. I hate having to ask people for references; it was something I'd done dozens of times in college for scholarships and study abroad, but I can't help but feel sort of bad for asking someone who isn't close to me to write something person and positive about me.
The Peace Corps requires three letters of reference from three different sources: one personal, one business, and one from volunteering. The first two were easy; I asked a friend from college with whom I'd lived for two years, and a friend from work who had been my coworker and boss for maybe three or four years. I figured they'd be flattered and happy to do it.
The volunteer reference was a problem, because I'd never regularly volunteered at anything. I'd done some Relay for Life events in high school and represented the Japan programs at study abroad conferences in college, and that was about it. I decided to send in a second work reference (from a woman I'd babysat for since I was 15) and hope for the best.
I knew that volunteering was a major deal for people going into the Peace Corps, and that the fact that the volunteering portion of my application only had around 15 hours total would likely hold me back. Before even submitting the application, I looked up volunteer opportunities in my area (literally googled it -_-), and applied as a receptionist at a local branch of the Salvation Army. I love office work, organization, computers, etc., so I figured it would be pretty simple. Plus, considering how long the application process is known to take, it was likely that any experience I gained would greatly help my application later on.
Although I found out later it was completely unnecessary to do so, I waited until my three references were completed and submitted (which took all three people around a month), before I turned in my completed application on March 19th, 2011!
But it was the reference section that had mehesitating. I hate having to ask people for references; it was something I'd done dozens of times in college for scholarships and study abroad, but I can't help but feel sort of bad for asking someone who isn't close to me to write something person and positive about me.
The Peace Corps requires three letters of reference from three different sources: one personal, one business, and one from volunteering. The first two were easy; I asked a friend from college with whom I'd lived for two years, and a friend from work who had been my coworker and boss for maybe three or four years. I figured they'd be flattered and happy to do it.
The volunteer reference was a problem, because I'd never regularly volunteered at anything. I'd done some Relay for Life events in high school and represented the Japan programs at study abroad conferences in college, and that was about it. I decided to send in a second work reference (from a woman I'd babysat for since I was 15) and hope for the best.
I knew that volunteering was a major deal for people going into the Peace Corps, and that the fact that the volunteering portion of my application only had around 15 hours total would likely hold me back. Before even submitting the application, I looked up volunteer opportunities in my area (literally googled it -_-), and applied as a receptionist at a local branch of the Salvation Army. I love office work, organization, computers, etc., so I figured it would be pretty simple. Plus, considering how long the application process is known to take, it was likely that any experience I gained would greatly help my application later on.
Although I found out later it was completely unnecessary to do so, I waited until my three references were completed and submitted (which took all three people around a month), before I turned in my completed application on March 19th, 2011!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Decision -- Jan. 2011
I'd known about the Peace Corps for probably my whole life. It always this amazing thing that amazing and ambitious people participate in, but I'd never known anyone who'd actually done it. My dad always said that he would if he could, if he didn't have children and a mortgage and bills. But adults said things like to me all the time; that they'd wish they'd finished high school, or gone to college, or traveled abroad, but that they couldn't now because of all the responsibilities they'd piled on over the years. At some point, I realized that one day I'd be the one explaining away not doing the things I always wanted to do.
I always wanted to travel. I attribute this to Daniel Jackson from Stargate, the nerdy linguist/anthropologist with an unending well of cultural knowledge: anywhere the team ended up, Daniel could figure out what culture they originated from, and figure out how to use their language to translate for the team. He's the reason I took French classes in high school, the reason I wanted to know everything about Japanese culture when I started watching anime, the reason the only thing that's remained on my constantly changing bucket list is to learn five languages by the time I'm thirty.
I developed a passion for language and culture that blossomed when I spent a year in Tokyo studying Japanese. After that, I felt like I could see barriers between people, ideas, and dialects so much more clearly; in fact, my first week back from Japan, I was enraptured by my family's conversations, because each of my family members had a different American accent!
After I graduated, I knew I wanted to go abroad again. Everything was brighter, tenser, more important abroad. It was more difficult and more challenging, and that's what I wanted. I had a lot of options.
One early morning, around 2 am the fall before I graduated from college, I filled out an online application for the Peace Corps. It was still such a distant, terrifying idea. Being in Tokyo for 10 months was one thing -- I'd lived in a dorm with other English speakers, had all the amenities of the first world, running water, high speed internet, and wanted for nothing -- but the Peace Corps was such an unknown. It could mean sleeping in a hut with a mosquito net around me, pumping water from a well and boiling it before drinking it, and traveling for hours just to use a phone. My other options were stable: all teaching English in foreign countries and being paid a decent wage.
I deleted the application without sending it.
I decided to take a year off after graduating to spend time with my family; I'd only just returned from Japan the previous summer, and I felt some guilt at leaving so soon again. Unable to find a job other than the menial, minimum-wage labor I'd endured during high school, I spent May 2010 through January 2011 hating my 30-hour work week and lounging around with friends and family. It was an extremely unproductive time, but for the first time in my life, I just didn't have a track, no set goals to work toward.
I wanted to do something big. Going to Japan proved to me that it was possible, that I could accomplish something out in the world alone, and that I could leave my family for long periods of time and nothing would go wrong (a fear that plagued me my first months abroad).
I knew I eventually wanted to be a Foreign Service Officer. I took the extremely competitive test in October and scored 4 points below passing. My greatest weakness? Volunteer and leadership experience.
It just seemed so obvious then. Like it was what I was supposed to do. Applying for the Peace Corps would be exactly what I needed to get my life back on track. It was a 2-and-a-half year commitment that would change my life and toughen me up. It would provide major leadership experience, something that would benefit me in any career I could think of.
I decided to apply in January of 2011.
I always wanted to travel. I attribute this to Daniel Jackson from Stargate, the nerdy linguist/anthropologist with an unending well of cultural knowledge: anywhere the team ended up, Daniel could figure out what culture they originated from, and figure out how to use their language to translate for the team. He's the reason I took French classes in high school, the reason I wanted to know everything about Japanese culture when I started watching anime, the reason the only thing that's remained on my constantly changing bucket list is to learn five languages by the time I'm thirty.
I developed a passion for language and culture that blossomed when I spent a year in Tokyo studying Japanese. After that, I felt like I could see barriers between people, ideas, and dialects so much more clearly; in fact, my first week back from Japan, I was enraptured by my family's conversations, because each of my family members had a different American accent!
After I graduated, I knew I wanted to go abroad again. Everything was brighter, tenser, more important abroad. It was more difficult and more challenging, and that's what I wanted. I had a lot of options.
One early morning, around 2 am the fall before I graduated from college, I filled out an online application for the Peace Corps. It was still such a distant, terrifying idea. Being in Tokyo for 10 months was one thing -- I'd lived in a dorm with other English speakers, had all the amenities of the first world, running water, high speed internet, and wanted for nothing -- but the Peace Corps was such an unknown. It could mean sleeping in a hut with a mosquito net around me, pumping water from a well and boiling it before drinking it, and traveling for hours just to use a phone. My other options were stable: all teaching English in foreign countries and being paid a decent wage.
I deleted the application without sending it.
I decided to take a year off after graduating to spend time with my family; I'd only just returned from Japan the previous summer, and I felt some guilt at leaving so soon again. Unable to find a job other than the menial, minimum-wage labor I'd endured during high school, I spent May 2010 through January 2011 hating my 30-hour work week and lounging around with friends and family. It was an extremely unproductive time, but for the first time in my life, I just didn't have a track, no set goals to work toward.
I wanted to do something big. Going to Japan proved to me that it was possible, that I could accomplish something out in the world alone, and that I could leave my family for long periods of time and nothing would go wrong (a fear that plagued me my first months abroad).
I knew I eventually wanted to be a Foreign Service Officer. I took the extremely competitive test in October and scored 4 points below passing. My greatest weakness? Volunteer and leadership experience.
It just seemed so obvious then. Like it was what I was supposed to do. Applying for the Peace Corps would be exactly what I needed to get my life back on track. It was a 2-and-a-half year commitment that would change my life and toughen me up. It would provide major leadership experience, something that would benefit me in any career I could think of.
I decided to apply in January of 2011.
This is Dowagiac
I've lived in Dowagiac my whole life. It's a small town that most of my family has lived in their entire lives. I love this town, but I love leaving it even more.
I spent my college years in Grand Rapids and Tokyo. It was nice to get away, but as soon as I returned from Tokyo, arguably the most technologically advanced city in the world, I arrived home to my mother's house in Dowagiac to find no internet, no hot water, and after a few hours, no electricity. Just coming home can be an adventure, I suppose.
This blog will be dedicated to my journey into the Peace Corps. Currently, I'm nominated to a position teaching English in Asia starting around June 2012. If all goes well, I'll escape at that time!
I spent my college years in Grand Rapids and Tokyo. It was nice to get away, but as soon as I returned from Tokyo, arguably the most technologically advanced city in the world, I arrived home to my mother's house in Dowagiac to find no internet, no hot water, and after a few hours, no electricity. Just coming home can be an adventure, I suppose.
This blog will be dedicated to my journey into the Peace Corps. Currently, I'm nominated to a position teaching English in Asia starting around June 2012. If all goes well, I'll escape at that time!
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