So without further adieu:
- Feb/Mar 2009: Started looking into Peace Corps and even started filling out the application, but decided to wait because I hadn't yet heard back from a Fulbright position I'd applied to.
- Mar 2009 (i think): Heard that I didn't get the Fulbright and decided to go ahead with PC!
- April-June 2009: Asked my three references if they would in fact like to be references for me (i needed a volunteer supervisor, a work supervisor and a friend)
- July 7, 2009: My last reference recently turned in her letter, so i gave my application one last go over and turned it in!
- July 30, 2009: Received an email from my recruiter and set up my interview!
- August 14, 2009: Interviewed with my recruiter. And received my Nomination!! (a nomination basically says that you are a candidate for the job). I left my interview thinking that i could be leaving as soon as Dec 2009, but my recruiter called back that same day and said he found a program for Math Education in Francophone Africa for June 2010 and i was nominated to that program!
- August 2009: Received my medical packet in the mail (the next step towards being cleared as a possible volunteer)
- Oct 23, 2009: Had my physical (including 3 shots and about 6 vials of blood drawn...)
- Dec 2009: My application status became 'inactive' because i'm a procrastinator :P
- Jan 2010: Mailed in medical forms, no longer inactive!
- Feb 2, 2010: Dental exam (definitely less blood than the physical) and dental exam mailed in!
- Feb 18, 2010: Medical clearance
- Feb 19, 2010: Received email that it would be a good idea to review my application and resume to ensure that everything is up to date.
and just as i was about to do that: - Feb 24, 2010: Received a phone call from the Placement office that turned into a second interview of sorts. Was told that i just received dental clearance and would be receiving legal clearance the next day. More importantly, i was told that i would be receiving an invitation! (aka, the job offer!) They don't tell your country though, so i was left waiting!
- Feb 27, 2010: Invitation arrived at my house when i was out of town! i had my brother hide it until i got home though, and found out i would be going to Burkina Faso!
Also found out i needed to get a cavity filled and my wisdom teeth out :P - Mar 1, 2010: Accepted invitation!
- Mar 10, 2010: Emailed the in-country desk another Aspiration Statement and resume
- April 8, 2010: First appt. with oral surgeon
- April 15, 2010: Cavity filled!
- April 22, 2010: Wisdom teeth out!
- May 10, 2010: Received my staging email, booked my flight to staging in Philadelphia, learned I needed H1N1 vaccine
- May 11, 2010: Got H1N1 vaccine
- May 19, 2010: today.
- June 7, 2010: Fly to staging
- June 9, 2010: Land in Ouagadougou, BF
- August 25, 2010: Officially start as PC Volunteer (end of training)
- August 25, 2012: Done!
So, there's the journey so far. I was told that the application process typically takes over a year, but as you can see, i'm leaving less than a year after I submitted my application! There were periods of waiting, but i feel that most of them were because of me (i.e. oct-jan), not because I was waiting on the PC :)
But it's about time for that dinner, and the countdown is at 19 days to go!
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