Applying to Peace Corps

 
WANT TO APPLY TO PEACE CORPS? Check it out! --> http://www.peacecorps.gov


So those of you who have applied to the Peace Corps can attest, the timeline for applying for service can sometimes (not always) be a daunting one. Like they always say in Peace Corps - "Everyone's experience is different". The only thing that may hold for all is that you can only do what's asked, and hope for the best. Being persistent and thoughtful can pay off. It seems that in recent years (speculation here) requests for PC service have gone up, while Federal support has been getting tighter. I understand that the staff are working as hard as they can, and really had to remind myself to keep my expectations... well... realistic. 

Here's a rough timeline of my application process:

How I envisioned Peace Corps. I want a photo like this!

September, 2012 - While working on a World AIDS Day Silicon Valley event committee, I met someone who had mentioned that she had applied to the Peace Corps and was set to go to Thailand. I thought "wait, didn't I want to do that at some point?" My childhood dreams, which had for many years laid buried, had finally been unearthed. I then thought "well, I would need a college degree... wait - I have a Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley! Duh!" Feeling a bit silly for forgetting about my dreams, I quickly brought my thoughts to more positive things. I'm going to check it out and see if I indeed qualify - and so I did. I took a look at the Peace Corps website, and all the requirements for service. I had a couple health-related questions, so I sent the pre-service nurse an email, and received a prompt reply encouraging me to apply. Yay! 

October, 2012 - I saw that there was an information session scheduled in my area led by a returned Peace Corps volunteer/recruiter. Sounds great! I had a ton of questions, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out firsthand what this was going to be like. I went and heard from three returned volunteers, who all had some amazing stories. I was enamored, and wanted so badly to apply right then. As soon as I got home, I resolved to get online, and get my initial application started. Wow... Oh boy, here we go...

Peace Corps founder, President John F. Kennedy

November, 2012 - Prepared my Peace Corps Application. I felt like I was preparing my grand opus. So much info to put together, but I was determined. I thought about who would be good references, and made a plan to contact my prospects and mention what I was planning on doing. All my references were happy to help - a response that again gave me encouragement to keep at it. I haven't really put so much effort into one application before, but this was my dream. This was important. This was worth it. I double, triple checked my essays and all my info. I was ready to submit my application. Ok, click and DONE! Now... time to await next steps.

Planting seeds of hope for the future

December, 2012 - Interview. It wasn't more than a couple weeks before I got an interview and sat with a PC worker in Oakland and basically spoke about why I wanted to serve in the USPC. We reviewed my competitiveness and made sure I had a tight application to submit to the main PC office in Washington DC. They recommended that I continue to learn and build my skills while I wait for a Nomination.So I decided to brush up on my Spanish, and take a standardized test for proficiency. Although I sat for the beginners test, I ended up scoring so high that I passed the advanced level too! (which meant that I had completed college level Spanish language equivalency!) Quite a rush. I also realized that I needed to renew my CPR/AED Certification, and so I took a class asap. I passed and bam, another certification for my application. Hooray! Now what? Oh, that's right... wait.


January - February, 2013 - My nomination came in for my intended field of "Health." I was thrilled, but really wanted to know what country... They said that they couldn't tell me that at this stage, that they still needed more information. I also had to get my Legal clearance to make sure I had no legal issues. I went quickly to the SCC Sheriff's office to get my fingerprints and background request. Sent it. And. More waiting.

Lot's o' mail, but not the right kind...

March - July, 2013 -  Every day I would come home expecting something to come in the mail, and... nothing. Lots of advertisements and junk mail filled my box daily, but nothing from PC. I'd check my email several times a day to see if there was any word and... no... not yet. It was hard to keep up hope, but I didn't have any reason to give up. I kept focusing on what was in front of me - I am an applicant in good standing, and am simply waiting. Nothing more. Ok, so I learned the meaning of patience during this period. In the middle of this waiting period, I was tasked with numerous medical screenings requests and questions, additional essays, and statements. I was told that this period could take a while. And indeed it did. Although all the while, I stayed in touch with my PC placement officer and made sure I was still in the game.

August, 2013 - Spoke with Placement Officer about options. I was cleared for a couple locations, and they wanted some more time to determine which one was best. Ok! Getting closer... Any day now. Right? RIGHT? Right.

End of August, 2013 - Invitation! Yes, Invitation! I was so happy. I read the letter (email actually).

Dear Jon,
Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that we invite you to begin training in Albania for Peace Corps service. You will be joining thousands of Americans who are building stronger communities around the world. This call to action gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and to find the best in yourself.

(It goes on to talk about all the medical clearances and additional steps prior to service.)
Wow. Albania! I really didn't know much about the country before. But now I had a site, It was time to get excited, and find out more about my future home. With still many application steps to go, I let the excitement share space with getting the rest of the tasks finished ASAP. Let's do it!

September, 2013 - I am getting all my tasks together, working out a transition plan, and building savings, etc. There is a lot to do, and I am glad that I have a good 6 months to get it all done. I am also taking the time to learn some Albanian before my Pre-Service Training. I will be out of the United States for 27 months, so I really want to make sure I am as prepared as possible. 

It was at this time I needed to apply for my new no-fee Peace Corps passport. I was not able to get confirmation when I sent in my old passport and application, which made me a bit nervous. After all, this was a rather important step in going abroad. I sent it in, and heard nothing back from the office. The application said that we would not receive any confirmation, and so I guess no news is good news! Turns out everything was in order. Whew!

October - December, 2013 - Vaccinations, shots, tests, labs, exams, exams, and more exams. This was the period of medical visits. Thankfully I still had insurance, and could go to my doctor as needed for all the different little needs. I sent everything in as early as possible (but still under the 6 month window - many exams and such need to be done less than 6 months prior to staging date.) Now with every vaccination under the sun now inside me, I was able to finish my paperwork for med clearance. As I meticulously scanned each page of the giant "final medical-clearance" packet, I again prepared myself to wait again, in case there was anything wrong with the paperwork. So close... I had already moved out of my apt, sold all my belongings, and resolved to sell my car, and had given notice to leave my job... so at this point I was kinda invested. 

January, 2014 - Final medical clearance! Ok, aside from a couple urgent requests from the medical office, things finished up pretty nicely. Tip to anyone applying to Peace Corps: Reply to emails from Peace Corps medical office immediately, else you might get a scary warning message asking if you still want to join! Ugh.... after all the effort, I am not sure why they would ever make that assumption. But, in my case, not replying within 24 hours was cause for this email (I was out of cell phone/wifi for a day)... so, just a warning here. It sometimes pays to be a little OCD. :-P

February, 2014 - Awaiting staging docs and well, instructions on where I am going. Yeah, kinda important! hehe There are plenty of blogs and helpful volunteers out there willing to share tips on packing and such, the specific details of travel (flight info and such) remain with Peace Corps until shortly before departure. I always like to have a confirmation number, and address, etc. so when it came via email I was put at ease. All that's left to do is pack, re-pack, and re-re-pack. I've never dealt with weight limits on planes, nor have I ever had to carry two-years worth of belongings on my person ever in my life. This was going to be tricky. Again, this is where current PCV's are so very helpful.

March 15, 2014 - Time to fly off to Washington, D.C. for staging. The beginning of my Peace Corps journey. 

 It is amazing what happens when you take things "One step at a time."

When Jon becomes "Xhon"

WANT TO APPLY TO PEACE CORPS? Check it out! --> http://www.peacecorps.gov