Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Small Update for My Timeline

Dental work is all done. A+ all around.
Had my physical exam today. I had so much paper work for the physician to fill out, they have to finish everything and have me come back in on Friday :-S
Then after that; crazy person papers. I had troubles sleeping and some anxiety back in the old school, so I need to get a letter from the shrink who helped me rest my noggin that says all is good now. I don't take any meds, or haven't for many years, so that makes things a little easier.
If all goes to plan, I should be getting this bad boy sent after Christmas! Yay! No more paper work...... ya right :-P

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Medical and Dental Forms

I have a feeling that I'll be writing about this subject a lot :-X I called the DC Office today, after getting an email back from my recruiter suggesting that I do so, regarding the matter of previous therapy sessions many years ago. I informed them that the office of the therapist I saw had no records of me being a client. The DC Office just asked me to get a written letter from the therapist stating the situation, along with a personal statement from myself as well. This is sort of a relief. I hope this situation doesn't cause any hangups or rejections.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Getting Closer?

Another call from the Seattle Peace Corpse Recruitment Office today. Seems as if the fields have been narrowed a bit. I received my formal nomination as a Youth Developer somewhere in Asia, but no more info as to which country. It could either be Mongolia, Cambodia, Thailand, China, or the Philippines. So much for all that French, German, and Latin I took all throughout school :-P Apparently, I'll be leaving mid-July. My file carries on the the D.C. office and I should be getting the medical packet in the mail either before or after the holiday (Thanksgiving). I'm continually reminded by my recruiter that nothing is set in stone. I understand why, but it bugs me to keep hearing that.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Long Time No See

It's been a while since I've heard from my recruiter, but today I finally heard from her. She is looking at programs in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, or Asia. I'm quite keen on Eastern Europe, but I will be completely stoked to go to either or. I won't hear back 'til the end of the month, or possibly sometime next month. I'll have to just sit and chill 'til then. It has felt like so long, I almost forgot that I even applied for the Peace Corps. Today was a re-awakening. Until then.......

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Online Application Status

Just received an email today informing me that everything I've submitted has been accepted. My recruiter said that I'd receive a phone call this coming week about my nomination, which apparently i going to happen :)

Friday, October 30, 2009

Peace Corps Process Timeline

So here we are. The journey begins. I've decided to keep notes on my application process for the Peace Corps, because it's a major help for those looking to do the same. Reading other applicants blogs helped me maintain my patience and hope. The process takes anywhere from 6 - 12 months, roughly, for placement. This is because your recruiter will try and find an assignment that best fits your skills and certain programs matriculate at certain times of the year. The paper work and medical clearance also takes a lot of time. If this is something that you really want to do, and have a passion for, patience is the key.

In comparison, my process thus far seems to have moved along quite quickly compared to other applicants experience. Mine follows as such:

Friday, October 2, 2009
Arrive at the conclusion that I wanted to serve and begin the application process.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Finish my application and medical review. I sent requests, via email, to my recommendation sources and they finish them on this day. I probably sent those request midway between today and the 2nd. I waited till I had all of my recommendations in before I submitted my application. This helps streamline the process. They don't tell you this, but they prefer recommendations very shortly after submitting the application. So, I decided it was best that I get everything in together to avoid the scramble. You should too.

Thursday, October 15, 2009
I received a packet to submit my finger prints and a National Survey for the FBI to check me out. I was all good....naturally :)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Submit my packet, via post, for next day guarantee. $17, but totally worth it. Things just get done quicker.

Thursday, October 22, 2009
Receive a phone call from recruiter to interview, via phone, on the 28th of October. Going fast so far!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Have the phone interview with the recruiter. I was supper nervous. I rambled a lot and, at times, lost focus. lol. I can't say it was my best interview, but I'm fairly articulate and had my moments of redemption. All recruiters are former volunteers, themselves.
They mainly want to know about your work and volunteer experience and your experience with other cultures. They want to know how you will adapt and assimilate into new and changing surroundings. My work experience fell outside of what is typically accepted as a candidate. I work for a non-prophet organization, have classroom teaching experience for a year and a half, have a Bachelors Degree in Art History, have studied many languages (French, German, and Latin), and have strong leadership skills. However, I have had little (almost non at all) volunteer experience. This is becoming more paramount for applicants to have at least 3-6 months of volunteer work. For other questions that they ask, click here to view more.

Friday, October 30, 2009
Today..... Received a call yesterday from my recruiter that I wasn't able to get to due to work. So she ended up getting a hold of me again today. She told me that she thought that I'd make a good nominee for the Peace Corps. I do, however, have to continue growing in experience before I'm formally invited to serve. This is typical for almost everyone who applies. You are expected to have a decent amount (about 3-6 months, 10 hours per month, roughly) volunteer work.

Also, languages help your chances at receiving an invitation. I was advised to revisit my French skills and take the CLEP French exam. It's about $70 :( I guess it's no biggie if you fail (probably doesn't look too great), but it can help your chances of getting into a variety of other programs. I was advised to have my test scores in my November 19th! That's only 3 weeks to revise! Plus, I'm going on vacation to L.A. for that first week! *sigh*

Anywho, I was assured that I wouldn't have any problems getting an invitation. My experience was a decent fit, apparently. She recommends that I volunteer teaching English as a second language in my community. There are not a lot of foreigners in my city, ahah. She's looking to place me in a High School English teaching assignment. I prefer working with at risk youth, because that's more of what I do now, but apparently it would take me longer to receive an assignment. I'm fine with doing whatever.

I will receive my formal nomination sometime next week. It's been assured :)