I fully realize that this blog might be boring as hell to you. I remember agonizing over my 3 countries they allow you to rank during the Peace Corps application and turning to blogs to get the "on-the-ground" scoop. So this blog is for...
- Peace Corps hopefuls (special shout out to the previously rejected)
- Those with a PCDR invitation in their inbox
- Former professors and bosses who are (perhaps) interested in the United States of America's approach to development
- My beloved amigos y familia
Peace Corps Timeline
A lot of
people post their “Peace Corps Timelines” so that Volunteer-hopefuls can
excitedly plan for what to expect. Here’s mine:
2007: Saw
former babysitter and general Rockstar, Amie, depart for Peace Corps
Madagascar. Promptly became obsessed
2011: Went
to ALL THE PEACE CORPS ACTIVITIES at UW-Madison, joined ALL THE STUDENT ORGS.
Summer 2014:
Applied to Peace Corps. They said they were considering me for a position that
“suggested” having a Master’s Degree. Awesome.
Fall 2014:
Rejected.
Winter 2014:
Applied again. Considering me for El Salvador! Cool.
Spring
2015: Rejected. Proceeded to throw away all Peace Corps posters and calendars
on walls.
Summer
2015: I will be a bartender forever. Side gig at a Literacy non-profit.
Winter
2015: Apply to Fulbright.
Winter
2015: Rejected. I will be a bartender forever. In addition, life is generally
over. Phone call with a former professor snaps me out of my self-pitying.
Winter/Spring
2016: Last-minute inspired to re-apply to Peace Corps. Miss deadline by 20
minutes.
Spring
2016: Apply and accept English Teaching position in Honduras. Re-apply to Peace
Corps.
Summer
2016: Teach in Honduras. I get an invitation to serve in Colombia! The world is
a colorful, meaningful place filled with love and happiness and dreams.
December 20th,
2016: One day before I leave my beloved Honduras: removed from Peace Corps
Departing group. Return to the United States with no job and no place to live.
December 26th,
2016: Peace Corps offers me a position in the DR. I accept. Dreams are dead and
I trust no one.
February
2017: Begin to trust again. Finally I
will be a PCV in the DR. Buy ukulele and hair flowers.
I think "resilliancy" would be a nice word to use here, but in the words of my Italian host family: Sei capoccia, Lucy! (~You're so stubborn/ hard-headed!)
Packing List
Ok, another CLASSIC Peace Corps blog post is the Packing List! Here's some photographs:
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| Workout stuff! |
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| Toiletries: tea tree oil, makeup, prewrap, sleeping pills, sunscreen chapstick, razors |
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| "Campesino-style" tops |
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| 2 Swim suits, coverups, beach towel |
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| Photo book to show host family, money belt and map |
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| Workout gear! |
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| Long, flowy pants to keep mosquitos and cat calls away |
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| Chacos, hiking boots, dancing shoes |
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| Solar panels, sleeping bag, head lamp, LifeStraw, waterbottle, surge protector, speaker, chef's knife, cocktail shakers, crank flashlight, sewing kit, travel alarm clock, flash drive, Swiss Army Knife, camera |
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| Books and academic articles |
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| Biz Cajsh |
