GUESS WHAT?? INVITATION IS HERE!!!

I'm going to ETHIOPIA!!!!!!! :) :) :) I leave Oct 3rd I CANT BELIEVE IT!!! the program is for conservation and natural resource management..my placement officer said it was for small business development, so I am a bit confused. I will call and get clarification

I am soooooooooo excited!!! so much reading to do, so this is a short post :)

OFFICIALLY INVITED!!!!!!!!!

I just received news that I have been Invited!!!!!!!!!!

 **HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE*****

I called and let them know I will be out of the country (I leave thursday). I also sent an email about my transcripts and for advice about Aids volunteer work.

This is the response I got:

I am writing to inform you that you have been invited to a Small Business Development assignment in Sub Saharan Africa which departs in early October. An invitation with country specific information has been mailed to you and should arrive in the next 3 to 5 business days.

Congratulations!!

WHOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!! Words can't express how excited I am!!! I didn't even have a final interview!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!! :) :)

I have not been forgotten - Called Placement :)

I contacted my Placement Officer today (I called instead of email)! She is sooo friendly :)

Here is some of the news she gave me:

I will not be leaving for my original nomination (August, SubSaharn Africa, business advising) because the program has filled up. So I can officially let that go. She explained that this is due to reduced opportunities and the federal budget cuts (more details about that are in a previous post). She explained that they will be looking for departure dates between oct-march and that she will be contacting me in the next 3-4 weeks.

She said they have not forgotten about me :)

I feel overall pretty good about this phone call. Now, I know for sure I am not leaving for my nomination and that it sounds like all of the August programs may be filled (since they said they will look between oct-march). I like that I have a time frame of when she will contact me but I understand that that may not happen in the exact time frame given.

Peace Corps Contact!!

Crazy how excited I am!

I sent in my updated resume earlier (maybe a couple of weeks ago) and changed my departure date (from July 1st to August 1st)

Today I received an email from the Placement Assistance, crazy how the simplest email can have me SUPER excited

I hope this email finds you well.

I am writing from the Peace Corps Placement and Assessment Office where I have recently completed the preliminary review of your file. I would like to request several additional items from you in order to complete your file before I pass it along to your Placement Specialist for a final review. 

1.     Please submit a copy of your final transcript for your bachelor’s degree.  Please make sure the transcript shows:

• Your name
• The name of the institution
• The degree you received and the date it was conferred

It can be an unofficial transcript, as long as it reflects the required information. It can be an unofficial transcript, as long as it reflects the required information. Please email or fax this document to the Business Desk at the number listed (Fax #:202-692-1897). If you intend to email your transcript, please scan it and send it as a PDF. We cannot accept transcripts that have been pasted into an email or a Microsoft Word document.

We will continue with the placement process without your final transcript, but will ultimately need it before you could depart for a potential Peace Corps assignment.  Please do not try to mail the transcript via U.S. Post since it may take as long as a month to get through screening in a federal facility. If you must mail the information, please send it via Federal Express.

In an effort to continue to this process in a timely manner it is greatly appreciated if you respond to the above requests within 1 week.

Within 5 minutes of receiving the email (thank you technology for sending all emails to my phone), I wrote back a response. It pretty much stated that I do not graduate until June 10th and will not be able to send a transcript that shows the date my degree was received until then. I asked if she wanted  an unofficial transcript that just shows the classes I have taken until I get my degree. Can't wait until I get another response :)

There was something else I wanted to tell you guys but forgot :) Enjoy your weekend!!

Update: I remember now!!! Has anyone ever played the Peace Corps game that is supposed to simulate a volunteer's experience. I have! Especially in the beginning of the process. 

Placement Contact

OF COURSE the day I have news to report, blogspot had to be down. I received contract from Placement (on Thursday), unfortunately it wasn't the letter I would have liked to receive. I pasted the letter below:

I am the Placement Officer managing your placement with the Peace Corps. I am sending this email to you in an effort to provide some insight on changes occurring for upcoming Peace Corps programs and their impact on the timing of your placement.

Like many federal agencies, Peace Corps is currently reviewing its operations in light of budget reductions. The on-going review will result in fewer service opportunities available overseas in the remainder of 2011 and in 2012.  Unfortunately, these changes are highly likely to affect your potential placement. Many of our Summer and Fall-departure applicants will be placed in new programs with significant delays in departure dates, as far off as January 2012 or later.  Identifying new placement options for you will require flexibility in terms of geographic preference, assignment preference,  and departure date on your part as another program like the one you were nominated to may not be available. The Peace Corps Placement Office understands and apologizes for the inconvenience the impeding delay may cause our applicants. At this time, we ask that you please let me know if there is any reason that you would not be interested in remaining under consideration for a future program. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone regarding your inability to remain under consideration for Peace Corps service given the new timeframe for departures.

However, should you remain interested in placement, I will be contacting you in the coming months regarding your application. At the moment, the Business Skills desk is currently working to complete the review and placement of applicants nominated to programs previously scheduled to depart in the April to June time periods. As I complete their placements, a Placement Assistant will be in touch with you regarding additional information that may be needed to process your application. Subsequently your application will be passed on to me for a final suitability and skill review to determine the next available program that best fits your skills and qualifications.  It is at this point that I will be able to provide you further details on your specific placement and the timing of upcoming programs.

I would like to thank you on behalf of the Peace Corps for your interest in service and your continued patience. I look forward to working on your placement in the very near future.

I had already thought about what I would do if my placement was extended and had heard from other applicants that budget cuts were affecting programs; therefore it wasn't a big surprise. Of course when you get a letter from Placement, that's not really what you want to read. My first thoughts were "So basically I don't know when I will be leaving and my region country and job assignment may change." But quickly I realized that this was the same thoughts I had before. None of the information we were given was ever guaranteed.  I did not choose the Peace Corps because of a region, program, or time frame. I chose the Peace Corps because I believe in the mission and I know that working with the Peace Corps will help me with my career. (I want to work in the community) Therefore, I will continue on with Peace Corps and just be patient. I had sent in my updated resume earlier and will now just wait until the day when I get the coveted blue packet.

On a different note. I love to watch movies. Usually when I go to the movies with my friend we watch the previews and call out what movies we would want to see.  Lately, when I would watch the previews and see a really cool movie that is going to come out in August (or later) I would get very quiet. Would I be able to watch this movie with my friends? Will I be in the United States? After receiving the letter, I went to watch Thor and noticed a difference. Now, I don't think as much about will I be around when this movie comes out because I have NO idea when I'm leaving. Not even a time frame. So a bit of positivity came out of receiving that letter- less sadness when I watch previews (lol trying to stay positive) Ooo! Another positive note, now I know who my placement officer is!!

Medical Clearance!!!

This morning I had checked my status on my tool kit, only to see the same message that they were reviewing my medical info and if I wasn't leaving for four months, not to worry. I took a big breath and went back to studying.  Later in the the afternoon, I prayed to God to help me with my patience and to just be there with me. It was becoming very, very difficult these past few days. Reading people receiving medical clearance that had similar departure dates was wearing down on me. I was happy for them, but it made me very anxious and impatient. I even emailed the presevice nurse on Friday and had not heard back, it was just very frustrating.

Two hours after praying, reflecting, and calming down, I decided to check my MAILBOX (not email but regular ole mailbox) and what do you know, a letter from peace corps.

"The office of medical services is pleased to inform you that you 

have been medically qualified for service and the office of placement notified."

I have been cleared since the 22nd!! My toolkit is still not updated, so I will call about that. But who cares, I'M MEDICALLY QUALIFIED :) I'm in the top 15% (or whatever the number is) to send it in right the first time! YAAYY I made the club!! lol

WHOOOO HOOOOOO victory dance victory dance!!!!! Medical Clearance !!!!!

 I didn't even take the time to think of a cool title, TOO excited!! Now, excuse me while I do my victory dance :)

Peace Corps Advice

Hey everyone in cyberspace!

Hope everyone is enjoying Hump Day (Wednesday)!

I have been hearing good news that more people who sent in paperwork around my time have been receiving medical clearance, which mean mine should be coming soon :)

I want to give medical a call (since they have had my info for 3 months now). any advice on what to say? What I can ask? What you may have asked when calling medical that helped you? Any advice is appreciated. I plan on calling tomorrow morning, so the sooner you can respond the better! Thank you!

On another note, job search is going pretty good. I've had a couple of interviews and I have some more tomorrow :)

Insane in the Membrane

I email, I get ambiguous information. I email again, I get the same information. Yet, I keep emailing. Isn't that the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Welp! Guess I'm insane because I keep emailing hoping that one day I will get different results

Let me back track, who am I emailing? Medical. I email them once a month, just to catch up, see how their day is going, talk about the weather and ask them WTHECK my status is lol. J/k.. kind of.

Recently, I had the pleasure of turning 22 and I have celebrated for the past 3 weekends. (Including a 4 day trip to Vegas :) This gave me days without worrying. No checking my emails over and over, sending emails to whoever I can reach, reading peace corps blogs, and checking the wiki timeline. This helped me deal with my RAS.

But now I'm back to reality. I'm graduating and looking for a job, until I can leave for the Peace Corps.

Uganda!

Wiki states that people haev been getting acceptance letters to Uganda (2011) to leave August 3rd. I haven't been medically cleared yet :( I wonder if this means I am not going there.

Another applicant nominated for the same program and time has heard back from her nurse, so at least I know they are looking at people's medical info that leave within my time frame.

RAS is here, its like an up and down roller coaster. One second I'm ok, the next I'm worried.

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”

“All good things come to he who waits” 

Anyone Selling Patience?

Anyone selling Patience?
I am willing to buy

I contacted a medical review person, she was VERY friendly and quick with a reply; but it wasnt very helpful. Not her fault...just was things I already knew.

They are reviewing my medical packet, my nurse will be in contact with me if she needs anything.

Wish I knew more about my file, or who my nurse was lol

***must practice patience****

In the same boat

Is there anyone else in the same boat as me??

I thought I'd take this as an opportunity to reach out to others that are nominated for Sub Saharan Africa in August 2011.

Is there anyone else?

If so, what part of the timeline are you in? I'm currently awaiting medical clearance. I was dentally cleared February 7 and sent in paperwork, Jan 27. 

Let's keep in touch so we can deal with our RAS together :)

Narrowed the List

Sent my placement officer an email asking for her input on how to prepare for the trip :) waiting for a response.

I also narrowed down the list further using wiki...I looked at the countries that departed in August last year and the countries in Africa that have business advising and I am looking at Uganda and Senegal. :) I honestly don't really care where I go, I just like playing the guessing game. I am not attached to any specific country or continent. I know that I would love to serve in Africa, but if not my second choice is a Spanish speaking country. Peace Corps drills in your head the need to be flexible, I dont want to get my heart set on a place and then have that change.

How to Prepare

First, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! now on to Peace Corps :)

Lately, I've been debating if I have all the skills needed to make a difference for businesses in my unknown village. I want to make sure I am prepared as possible. The problem is I am not sure exactly what skills will be needed for the program. I asked my recruiter what type of activities I should get involved in and she said not to worry that I am fine.  Something I constantly try to remind myself is that I have the tools within me I just have to use them. I'm probably overthinking, as usual. I try to read blogs to get an idea of what a business advisor in the peace corps would do. But, no luck so far. I do remember reading that usually people who are involved in business teach basic skills such as the 4P's, keeping inventory etc. So far I'll have a business degree in marketing and a few marketing internships under my belt. If you guys have any suggestions on ways to gain more experience please let me know!

I may finally have a hold on my RAS, today is the first day I didn't log into peace corps to check my application status :) PROGRESS! 

I thought I'd add my timeline of my application process, as I have found them useful to read from other applicants:

Applied- September 15, 2010
Interview- October 6, 2010 (two hour interview)
Nominated- October 6, 2010
Sent in Medical Packet- January 27, 2011 (I didnt amke my appointments until December)
Dentally Cleared- February 7, 2011


Update (about twenty minutes after I wrote the above section)
I was able to find some more information about the business advising program
 
Peace Corps Website

•  Volunteers work in a variety of settings, assisting both private and public businesses, local and     regional governments, nonprofit organizations, women’s and youth groups, and educational institutions.
• Train and advise entrepreneurs and managers in business planning, marketing, financial management, and product design
• Advise agricultural cooperatives, agribusinesses, and farmers
• Develop and write project funding proposals and assist with credit programs
• Work with community and business support groups
• Teach business courses, English, and Junior Achievement programs and facilitate business training workshops
• Work with artisans to improve business practices and marketing techniques and help develop the local tourism industry

Wiki also states:

• Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in business, economics, management, finance, marketing, accounting, computer systems, or international business; or a degree in any discipline with experience in cooperatives, bookkeeping, small business, or credit unions; or no college degree and four or more years of business management experience.
• Most applicants have worked for at least one year in small business, management, accounting, or cooperatives.
• Other relevant experience includes management in a multi-task environment, owning or operating a small business, and volunteer work with community- or school-based organizations or clubs.
• Some applicants also have experience in human resource development or training, market research and financial advising, research for project development activities, and fundraising. Project management experience, information technology skills, and agriculture experience are also useful.

Check this article out too for even more detail
http://peacecorps.isp.msu.edu/documents/AA_140.pdf

Now, I have some things to work with :)

Did I read this correctly?

My screen reads:
Dental Complete. Peace Corps has completed your dental review. There are no dental holds on your account at this time.

Legal There are no legal holds on your account at this time.

 Medical Peace Corps is currently reviewing your medical documentation.

How wonderful it is to read these words!!  I can't believe it's going so fast. I just sent in my dental work 12 days ago! My placement worker said they wouldn't even receive my information for 2-3 weeks and in another 2-3 weeks I could expected to be cleared. Yet, I have already been cleared (for dental) in less than 2 weeks. Next up, medical.

It's crazy how every minor change feels like such a great accomplishment. When my status changed from waiting to reviewing medical and dental I was excited. Now looking at reviewing to complete (for dental) I just jump for joy. Granted, I still have to wait for the rest to be completed, I am just so enthused about having a part of my medical process completed. I keep logging in, just to see those words again.

Searching the Web

I haven't been this excited or anxious for anything in a long time. I'm excited for the day I get medically cleared, nervous for the day that I reveice my invitation,and wondering where I could possibly be going. My fabulous recruiter told me that I must keep busy. I was convinced that wouldn't be a problem, I'm completing my undergraduate degree and figured in between studying, tests, and parties I would have my hands full. But in my moments of quiet time I still wonder about the next step. Eagerly anticipating contact form the Peace Corps, reading countless blogs about others experiences, and waiting for the day I can tell about mine. 


With the football game in the background, I am attempting to figure out what country I may go to based on my anticipated departure date and region. I have narrowed it down to Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mazambique, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, and Cameroon.

The site I used is http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Timeline just in case anyone else wants to do it.

Spoke Too Soon

They have received my medical and dental information and are currently reviewing it.

YAAYYY!!!! :) Now waiting clearance! Apparently they can receive your information in 6 days! :)


My parents are a bit concerned about me leaving the country. My dad is surprisingly more vocal about it than my mom. Why  does it surprise me? Not sure, as he is the one who tells me not to go to the beach because the sharks will bite me and not to volunteer to "at risk" children because I may get stabbed. He's concerned, understandably. Fortunately, he did not watch the 20/20 special. Otherwise, I believe he would have locked me in a room and swallowed the key.


At the end of the day, my parents support me. Although they may not always understand my decisions, they are proud of me for going. I am not completely sure that it has hit them that I may not see them for 2 years, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes.

Beginning My Journey

After thinking about why I wanted to serve, meeting with the local recruiters, and preparing for the interview I was nominated to serve for the Peace Corps October 6, 2010 for Sub Saharan Africa business advising.

Fast forward to February and all I keep thinking is "Am I cleared yet, am I cleared yet?" I have finally completed my medical process, filled out the forms, and got my shots taken care of. I sent in my papers late January and, let me tell you, I have been anxiously waiting for a reply back. It wasn't until I was in the bathroom (where I do a lot of my thinking) that I realized it's only been 6 days since I sent the paper work. Of course I haven't heard back from them! This must be the patience part that they always warn me about. Now to practice patience.

Feel free to follow along my Peace Corps adventure, I look forward to sharing it.