Everyone keeps asking me for a Peace Corps update, so I thought I would just write about what is going on. This way people will have a good idea about what is happening and I can write out what I know thus far! I have decided to place a timeline below because I think it is not only fascinating what a journey this has been, but also I cannot wait to look back at it once I am farther along in the process. I also hope it helps those of you out there trying to begin this journey with some of the same thoughts, questions, fears, exciting news, and hopes I have experienced.
The Timeline
May 20, 2013- I began the Peace Corps application process. I was asked many questions and gave many detailed responses. I had to provide a resume, transcripts, cover letters (of sorts), letters of recommendation (3 to be exact) I was assigned a candidate reference number. The application takes a great deal of time to complete so I recommend if you're interested in volunteering to work on it a little every day. If you are interested in volunteering I would be happy to answer any questions you have simply comment below.
August 28, 2013- I officially hit the submit button for my application and received an e-mail confirmation. In this e-mail I was also informed I would need to complete a Health History Form which would shortly be e-mailed to me. A few minutes later I received the e-mail for my Health History Form and began working on that right away. I submit everything I needed to on the same day.
September 16, 2013- After the medical paperwork was pre-cleared I was contacted. Sarah Kassel, the Regional Representative for Oregon contacted me to set up a phone interview because I live a good distance away from the Portland office. We scheduled the interview for a few days later.
September 19, 2013- I had my phone interview with Sarah which lasted a solid hour and a half. Make certain when you schedule your interview you leave yourself a good chunk of time as interviews can last anywhere between one to two hours. She told me after the phone interview she had a pretty good idea of who I was, my strengths, and what she planned to do next. Meanwhile, I'm silently freaking out as I realize my dream is slowly becoming a reality. I was sent an e-mail with a Health Addendum form I needed to fill out and return proving more volunteer experience in a given area. I submit this form the very next day.
September 24, 2013- I was nominated for service! The sector I was nominated in was health and my tentative departure date month was August of 2014. I was told in this e-mail I would be receiving a legal kit in the following 2 weeks. I received an e-mail stating that my recruiter, Sarah notified the Office of Medical Services that I had been nominated for service and they needed no further medical paperwork from me at that time.
October 1, 2013- I received my legal kit in the mail which had a fair amount of paperwork to fill out in it. The kit also required I send fingerprints. I called the local police station to get an appointment and they informed me they only perform fingerprinting on Tuesdays. They ask that you get your legal kit returned for processing within two weeks. I e-mailed Sarah today because my legal kit was dated September 27, 2014. I had the concern that I would not be able to get my legal kit back in two weeks and was requesting an extension. I got an automated response back.
October 11, 2013- Went and got my fingerprints done, it took about 20 minutes tops. I went first thing in the morning on Tuesday and got in right away. The fee was $30 and it was quick and painless. That same day I sent my legal kit back to Washington for processing.
October 1-16, 2013- Government Shutdown! I could not for the life of me figure out why every Peace Corps office was closed and I was getting automated responses back from my e-mails. Then DUH, lightbulb, the Government Shutdown. So I figured it would be a while for my legal kit to be processed, once again putting me in the hurry up and wait routine I have grown accustomed to =)
November 8, 2013- I called Sarah to make sure my legal kit was received and my application process was still moving forward in a positive way. She informed me the next step would be the Placement Office giving me a call and chatting with me about some details and future placement. She told me best case scenario I would hear from them in December, worst case scenario I would hear from them in March. I thanked her and began the patiently wait game.
December 2013- Heard nothing. No contact via phone or e-mail. Checked my status on my application portal and it still said "nominee." My patiently wait game turns into the antsy wait game.
January 11, 2014- My antsy-ness got the best of me and I contacted Sarah via e-mail to check on the status of everything. I simply asked if my application process was still moving forward positively.
January 13, 2014- She replied to my e-mail that everything was looking so far and the placement office would be contacting me next and sometime soon (I realize soon is a relative term and slowly start to worry again haha).
February 2014- Heard nothing again this month. No contact via phone or e-mail. Due to my stubbornness, pride, and the fact that I do not want to seem desperate for some form of contact telling me my fate, I do not contact anyone this month.
March 3, 2014- I could not take it anymore. I do not want to seem like a squeaky wheel, nervous Nancy, or a pest, but I was told by returned volunteers if you are nervous, just e-mail. No harm no foul. So that is what I did today. Sarah e-mailed me back right away saying everything is looking good in my file still, due to inclement weather DC was closed today, but that I am still looking on track. Whew, what a relief. You see I like my method one month of agony and torture not knowing what is going on and wondering if I am still in the running and then a month of relief.
April 2014- I heard nothing, zero, zilch, nada...
May 5, 2014- I got a call asking if I wanted to serve in The Gambia in the Health Sector... I waited 24 hours to respond to make sure I really wanted to commit.
May 6, 2014- I said, "YES!" and received my official letter of welcome to service in The Gambia!
June & July 2014- I had to do a bunch of medical stuff, vaccinations and such to be medically cleared.
August 2014- I was officially medically cleared!!! I started thinking about packing and such.
October 14-16 2014- I had staging in Philadelphia, PA for getting ready to fly!
Otober 17 2014- I arrived in The Gambia, Africa ready for service!
April 2014- I heard nothing, zero, zilch, nada...
May 5, 2014- I got a call asking if I wanted to serve in The Gambia in the Health Sector... I waited 24 hours to respond to make sure I really wanted to commit.
May 6, 2014- I said, "YES!" and received my official letter of welcome to service in The Gambia!
June & July 2014- I had to do a bunch of medical stuff, vaccinations and such to be medically cleared.
August 2014- I was officially medically cleared!!! I started thinking about packing and such.
October 14-16 2014- I had staging in Philadelphia, PA for getting ready to fly!
Otober 17 2014- I arrived in The Gambia, Africa ready for service!
Back to Life Back to Reality
I cannot believe it has been ten months since I began this process and so far it has been a roller coaster of excitement. I will continue to update this post and Timeline as I receive more information. For now, I appreciate your continued prayers and support. Again, if you are thinking about starting the process of becoming a volunteer I am happy to answer any questions you may have below.
I know the fear and anxiety is a healthy and exhilarating emotion right now because if my dreams do not scare me, they are not big enough...right?
