My Peace Corps Application Timeline

 

       This timeline gives a general idea what is involved when applying to the Peace Corps. From what I understand, the Peace Corps application process varies from individual to individual.

       It is one year and eight months from the Peace Corps receiving my initial application to my scheduled departure date. The initial application includes submitting three essays, answers to medical questions, college transcripts, and personal background information.

       There had been times during the application process where I felt I was forgotten about, but that is a part of the waiting. I believe the waiting throughout this process ensures the applicant is serious about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

June 11, 2012…Sent in Peace Corps application via email.

June 12, 2012… Email sent to me confirming application was received.  Need to complete Health Status Review (medical history) and submit three references

June 17, 2012…I received fingerprint charts and National Agency Check form via postal mail. Instructions how to check online application status were included.

June 21, 2013…Sent in fingerprints. Fingerprinted at local police department.

I contacted Peace Corps due to not hearing from them. Apparently I missed an email sent from the Peace Corps containing two extra forms to be filled out and submitted. They ‘resent’ the forms.

September 4, 2012…I'm requested to resubmit ‘friend’ recommendation; previous one not accepted.

September 6, 2012…I submitted recommendation.

September 7, 2012…I was contacted via email to schedule interview

September 14, 2012…Interview in Brattleboro, VT.

September 19, 2012…I received email with instructions how to access Medical Applicant Portal

Faxed/emailed recent medical exam, blood work, and surgery records right away.

I had not heard from medical that they received my information. I contacted my recruiter September 24, 2012 and she suggested I resubmit everything. Come to find out I did not hit the ‘submit’ button. (ughh!)

October 1, 2012…I received nomination letter from recruiter via email. Tentative date of departure was July 2012 and the plan was for me to work in environmental education. Nomination letter did not include country of service.

Soon after my nomination I received this following email from the medical portal concerning my premedical clearance:

Dear Virginia,

Thank you for sending in all of your required medical documents. They have been received and are under review by the Office of Medical Services. If, after review of the medical information you submitted, we require anything further, we will send you an email notification.

The Peace Corps Medical Applicant Portal may be found here:

Regards,

Peace Corps Office of Medical Services

So, I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited…

November 11, 2012…I emailed my recruiter about my concern about not hearing from Medical about pre-clearance. Her response was it usually takes longer to be medically pre-cleared. I did not get a frame of time when I should hear back from Medical.

So I continued to wait…

I contacted Medical through the portal in early April. I quickly received a response letting me know they have many applicants to review and will get to my file soon.

I continued to wait…

In May I received and email from Placement informing me my tentative departure date will be pushed back if my medical pre-clearance is not satisfied soon.

After several emails back and forth to Medical and Placement I was asked to resend my medical history. In addition, one more bit of information was requested and I submitted that as soon as I was able.

June 6, 2013…I received an email from Medical that I am medically pre-cleared. I was also informed I was legally cleared around this time.

July 11, 2013…My interview with Placement via phone.

July12, 2013…I received via email my INVITATION to the PEACE CORPS!!!!!!! My father, my friends, Jerry and Mark and my two sons, Josh and Ryan were with me when I received my invitation. It couldn’t have worked out better than that.  

Along with my invitation, I received a list of medical tasks to complete, instructions to apply for my passport and visa, information about my country of service and job description, and some more forms to fill out.

I did not accept my invitation right away. I took a few days to think hard about what I was about to commit to.

July 15^th, 2013…I accepted my invitation to serve in the Peace Corps via email.

Departure date is February 3^rd, 2014 for Zambia, Africa.

 

 

Proof!

I remember the prophecy from my high school yearbook had something to do with the Peace Corps. I guess I talked about it a lot. Well, things didn't work out with Rob, but I'm sure I'll get lost. Probably more than once.

 

Thanks, Shawn Akey, for sending me the photos!

Preparing to leave...

I never officially announced my plans for the upcoming year to everyone yet, partly due to excitement and uncertainty. I am following my life’s dream of becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer and I am scheduled to leave for Zambia, Africa early February of next year for a two year assignment.

 

The excitement stems from the fact I will be living my dream. My father had given me literature about the Peace Corps when I was fifteen. When I read it I realized that is what I want to do. The Peace Corps did not give me the idea to travel to third world countries, I had wanted to do that since I was very young. It’s just that the Peace Corps is a vehicle to allow me to do this. To make a long story short, I chose to raise a family instead, and put my dream on hold. With my children grown it is time for me to fulfill my dream. 

The uncertainty: The majority of Peace Corps volunteers are in their 20’s, fresh out of college. I’m forty-five, but the Peace Corps encourages people my age and older to join. I am in excellent health which gives me no doubt that I can do this physically. I have worked several years with environmental organizations, including the Northern Connecticut Land Trust, teaching about conservation so I am sure I have the skills to improve the lives of the people who are kind enough to let me serve them. There is some trepidation that I hold deep inside; I’m entering other people’s world. How long before they accept me? How long before I make friends? I’m shy by nature, but I have always held steadfast and move beyond my fears. With a lot of thought and soul searching and speaking to others who have done this; this is the right decision for me at this time.

I will leave behind a life of comfort, including toilets, electricity, and other things many of us take for granted. I am an avid camper so living without these amenities shouldn’t be too difficult for me to adjust to. I’m a ‘tough gal’ and I love to ‘rough it’. Hey, I'm a trail runner; I can handle a lot that's thrown my way!

What I will be doing in the Peace Corps: I will take part in the Linking Income, Food, and the Environment (LIFE) project which is in conjunction with the Zambian Forestry Department. My official title will be Forestry Extension Agent. I will work together with the people I live with and visit (I will travel from village to village by bicycle) and help figure out how we can improve farming techniques and conserve the natural environment.

Zambia is a peaceful country and it is known for its friendly people. Zambia is south of the equator and is surrounded by eight countries. Zambia is a former British colony, so English is spoken widely in this country, though I will still learn a tribal language. I am looking forward to getting to know the flora and fauna of Zambia. Many animals can be found there, such as elephants, hyenas, lions, zebras, and hippos. The second largest wildebeast migration goes through Zambia.

I have less than five months to get ready. I have a long list of medical and dental tasks to satsify before I take off so that means I have many expenses awaiting me. I also have a very long packing list of the things I will need to bring with me. I will include a list of supplies that I will need. If you are looking to get rid of anything on the list, I would be more than happy to take it off of your hands. I plan to organize a fundraiser, possibly a spaghetti dinner social, where I will entertain my friends and family and help everyone learn what I’m getting myself into.

This short movie will give you an idea what I'm up for...

ZaMovie: Peace Corps Zambia Part 1 of 2 (6 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPoGVcpQkUY

From now until I leave I will update my blog regularly. When I am at my country of service, my entries may be spotty due to limited access to electricity. I plan on posting many, many photos along with detailed descriptions.

I will miss all of you when I leave. Stay well, and live your lives to the fullest.

-Ginny