My Peace Corps Timeline

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd share my Peace Corps Timeline as it may help others who are thinking of applying. Enjoy

2002-2004: I think of joining the Peace Corps

2004-2007: I think of joining the Peace Corps a little bit more seriously.

2007: I set up an account for the online application and stop once I get to the essays. Yikes.

May 5, 2010: I submit my application

May 11, 2010: A recruiter from the San Francisco office contacts me by email and schedules an interview for May 17, 2010.

May 16, 2010: I don't sleep too well. Interviews make me pretty nervous.

May 17, 2010: I meet my recruiter who is an awesome Korean girl a couple years older than me who is a RPCV from Cameroon. Interview goes well. What they say is true: a Peace Corps interview is like talking to an old friend about why you want to serve.

May 18, 2010: Recruiter needs follow up on my French skills. In my application I state that I have 5 years of high school experience and additional family experience. Unfortunately, they require updated French ability since high school was ten years ago (am I really getting that old?) and require a CLEP score. I schedule a CLEP examination in San Francisco on May 26, 2010.

May 19, 2010 - May 26, 2010: I sneak off during my lunch hour to study French at the local Barnes and Nobles with my newly purchased AP French book for $30. Geekin' it up hardcore. Subjonctif anyone?

May 26, 2010: I pay $100 for service fee and testing fee (steep!) and I pass (phew!)... Who knew I could still retain information from studying after working for 5 years?!

May 27, 2010: My recruiter sends me a letter in the mail: I am nominated for Business Advising in Africa set to depart December 2010. Holy crap... I'm really going to Africa.

July 2010: I receive my medical clearance paperwork in the mail and schedule doctor visits

August 11, 2010: Toolkit update: "A decision has been reached regarding your medical eligibility. Look for a letter in the mail". Letter arrives about 3-5 days letter - I'm cleared.


September 1, 2010: Placement office in DC contacts me for an updated resume. I send it to them the next day.

September 17, 2010: Placement officer from DC asks some follow-up questions in an email. How do I feel if I'm far from other volunteers? Am I ready for Africa? Yep, or however possible it is to be ready without actually being there.

September 22, 2010: Toolkit update. I'm invited! Look for an invitation kit in the mail. 10 days later I receive it via UPS. I'm going to Guinea as an Community Economic Development Advisor.

September 30, 2010: I put in my two weeks notice at my job. Been there for 5 years. Very nervous, but my supervisor is extremely supportive. Can't ask for anything better.

October 11, 2010: I write my aspiration statement and complete another updated resume for the business desk. There is a lot of writing in this process...

October 15, 2010: I say goodbye to my coworkers. They give me a farewell party and cool survival stuff like toilet paper. Reality sinks in a little bit more that I am going to Africa. But, not completely.

October 22, 2010: Been a week with no work and am preparing my life for departure. A bit overwhelming, but exciting all at once. Not working has been interesting... I get to do novel things like stay up to 2am for no reason updating a blog.

Outtie.