Killer Cars

Recently, I have felt I have been giving my friends and colleagues a lowered sense of excitement about my Peace Corps departure. I blame that it’s still weeks and weeks away but more importantly, I find it hard to give the same speech and answer the same questions as enthusiastically as the first time. One thing I never tire of talking about however is the long and tedious act of applying to the Peace Corps.

In a nutshell, applying to the Peace Corps is the most discouraging, long, unsure, life affirming decision/process I’ve had to endure. I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought (and I haven’t even started service!), and I totally encourage everybody to at least apply. Why? During my process, I jumped through periods of doubtfulness, totally sleepless nights, while at the same time prioritizing my life goals and feeling I was more in control of my destiny than any employer could ever give me. Since I was in college as well, it also helped me work on my time management skills. And honestly, every time I took a break from “the process”, no matter what I was doing, I knew it would not be the hardest thing I had to do that given day.

You’re probably asking, why would the application process be so strenuous? For that question, I don’t have a definite answer… but keep in mind we are talking about an agency of the Federal Government. It’s almost guaranteed that an agency of this nature will have restrictions and budget limitations in order to operate effectively. In my view, I interpret that the Peace Corps cannot send every single soul who wants to jump ship and volunteer. Simple as that. To combat this problem, they indirectly try and weed out any applicants who are not willing enough. The Peace Corps application process is very gray at times, tedious, with many tiny steps that almost mean nothing. The whole time you are kept secret of your country of service, and each hint you get causes you to work harder. You’ll pull your hair out at times, but in the end, you will realize the frustration is exactly what they want you to go through.

I didn’t know much about the Peace Corps before I applied. I knew the nature of the work seemed to fit me, so I attended an information session at my school. At this information session, there was no catch, nobody signed in, and nobody left their name. We were all relaxed and it was cool, there was absolutely no pressure to join the Peace Corps. What we were told however, was the nuts and bolts of service and the selective application process. 2 years in a foreign country, strong work experience required, must demonstrate willingness and strong character, you will go through periods of frustration and extreme loneliness, but this is the toughest job you’ll ever love. Immediately then, I could tell the Peace Corps was not for everybody. My recruiter was happy to note that the word “volunteer” is taken very loosely. This type of work is a very serious job, and that the 2 year term is a commitment that most people can’t afford to give up. I looked over the application process again and it mentioned that it is typical for the process to last from 6 months to a year. The thoughts ran through my head over and over again, “do I really want to do this?” I didn’t let it bother me, and I took an extra motivated step to make sure I finished this application in as fast as possible.

I got to work the next morning. It wasn’t even 10 o clock and I finished the application minus the essays and have already sent out my e-mails to my old bosses asking for a letter of recommendation. I said to myself, “wow, I’m super motivated for something that I still have no grasp of”.

Eventually, I got lost in the process and wasn’t sure what I needed to do next. I started keeping a record of what I did. It was accessible online, and I updated as often as possible. Whether be at home, at work, or even after talking on the phone between classes (and I was on the phone alot!).

And now I am sharing it with you. The reason I am posting this is, during this process I felt entirely alone. Nobody else I knew was applying, and it seemed everytime I talked to someone official, I was hearing different answers. I didn’t have anybody else to consult, and at many times (as noted below) I doubted myself from ever getting in. In the end, they were all just silly worries, but for anybody going through the same frustrations, you are indeed not alone. Eventually I found out about the
PeaceCorps2 Yahoo group that was a tremendous wealth of information that was at my fingertips. Still, there was a lack of experiences written in detail that I found online, but there are blogs dedicated to this process (Good luck Jay Haase!). I also I figured I would try and contribute as much as I can.

My Peace Corps application process:

Attended info session at UNH beginning of October- started my online application on October 7th, notified 3 recommendation providers to look for a recommendation form in their E-Mail

Last recommendation was submitted online on November 10

Around end of November, I had doubts about my application because of my lack of volunteer experience. I met with my recruiter and he assured me that I didn’t have to worry that much if I had strong background.

After that conversation, I got to work on drafting and finalizing my application essays (2 of them). Requested formal interview on Dec 8th - Application submitted online on December 5th

Interview- during finals week, hour and half, recieved more forms to fill out,

Dec 15th received official package from Boston regional. Envelope was handwritten, received program descriptions and addendas in Business and Computer science. Also more forms and spanish language checklist

Dec 16th - Decided the forms were too easy to fill out and should be finished soon. Filled out all forms and made a visit to the police department for fingerprints.

Dec 17th - Gathered all the forms and dropped them off to recruiter’s mailbox. I almost didn’t make it in time, and I knew that I had to least drop it in his mailbox or wait till they open on Monday.

Dec 22 - Received e-mail saying my online toolkit (application update system) was updated. Since I was away from my campus box, I could not access it at all.

Jan 10th - I received a call from Nancy, of the Boston Regional office. At first, she didn’t have my recommendations but later found them on the online system during our call. I noted that I could leave in August, but would take any earlier openings if it would help me. She gave me a program description from a spot leaving in mid July in Sub Saharan Africa. It deals mostly with youths, and needed strong experience. She then said that she would look around some more and call me back with info on an opening leaving in early July.

When she called me back she told me that I officially had the last spot in nomination for the program in early July. This program deals more with government. She would have my nomination letter in the mail, with clearance forms, and reminded me that it is still competitive at this point.

The following days I didn’t sleep and poured my head into hours and hours of research looking for more inspiration inside myself.

Jan 17th - I begin telling most people and friends what has been going on

Jan 18th - got my overwhelming medical packet in the mail and looked it over cover to cover

Jan 19th - had talk with my recruiter for next steps, again, I doubted myself thinking I could finish medical clearance for a July departure but he assured me that I would be ok, After that phone call, I scheduled appointments for eye exam, medical exam

Jan 20th scheduled dental exam, had eye exam

Jan 27th - had dental exam, suggested a cleaning and wisdom teeth extraction, I make appointment for prophylaxis cleaning

Jan 28th - had medical exam, needed to follow up on childhood allergies, scheduled dates for PPD test on Monday and Wednesday

Jan 31st - had ppd planted at health services

February 2nd - dental cleaning, scheduled wisdom teeth extraction, had PPD checked, will follow up doctor on records

Around this time, I was back and forth with Rhode Island hospital about an allergic incident I had back when I was a child. Since their records were electronic, I called them every week when I didn’t hear from them.

February 3rd - had a small chat with on campus recruiter at career fair, caught up with him on progress

Feb 10th - had 3 wisdom teeth extracted, in order to save money, I opted to not get knocked out. I watched the whole surgery, mouth full of Novocain, from the reflection of my surgeon’s glasses.

Feb 17th - had meeting with health services, filled in empty holes, still nothing heard back from RI Hospital about my childhood allergies

Feb 25th - Since RI hospital was not cooperating with me, I had my last meeting with health services, made copies of health forms and sent away. My doctor simply put “unknown” about an allergic reaction I had when I was a child. I also copied and sent away my med and dental forms, along with my reimbursement forms.

Mar 5th - Dental clearance confirmation e-mail

Mar 9th - called headquarters in DC and spoke to Rick Day, has received forms and sent out for Africa screening team. Notified date of dental clearance

During spring break, Mar 11-20 I made and effort to show up in person at Rhode Island hospital, and demand my records be released. I still have not seen them to this day.

During Spring Break as well, I finally found and joined PeaceCorps2 Yahoo group. Suddenly, every question I had was answered in minutes. I read every post religiously and felt better about my standing.

Mar 20th - Received overnight letter from office dated mar 14 asking for information not available from physician

Mar 21 - Faxed a memo detailing what I know about allergic reaction and that any more information was unattainable

Mar 23 - received news of med clearance, called and talked to placement assistant about transcript to be sent to DC

Mar 31 - DC placement officer called my cell phone during class. He asked me 2 simple questions, “Are you aware that your application notes an August departure date and you’re nominated for July?”, and “Do you have strong computer hardware experience?” My answers were : “I was nominated for July as I said to my nominator that I would do it if it helped me getting in”, and “I taught myself how to build a computer.”.

He also officially invited me over the phone. I asked him to repeat it 3 times.

April 4th - invitation packet, first class mail- Cape Verde, West Africa. Invitation packet came with volunteer handbook, more forms, and a Country booklet written for Peace Corps Volunteers

April 11th - accepted invitation over phone to DC HQ. Whoever I spoke to sent my e-mail confirming next steps

April 12th - finished and completed visa application and no-fee passport. Used renewal form and mailed that, along with taking and printing my own passport photos, and my current passport in provided FedEx envelope

April 15th - Worked on and sent away aspiration statement (2 pages) and resume (3 pages) to country desk.

June 9th - Staging kit came in. Staging is scheduled for July 5th at noon in PHILADELPHIA!

June 10th - Called SATO Travel to make arrangements to flight to Philadelphia staging event. Call took only 3 minutes. Printed out e-ticket.

Finished my forms to staging, closed out/cancelled any obligations and sold things left and right to prepare for my departure.

Finally done.

United States Peace Corps. The hardest job I ever applied to. I haven’t even started yet I know this is the proudest thing I might ever do.

Good luck for all you prospective applicants. Keep your head up, and don’t let yourself bring you down.

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• Send off!
• Common misconceptions of the Peace Corps
• The light is getting brighter

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