Why I Joined the Peace Corps

As I sit at work in the middle of the night all alone I have started the habit of reading everything I can about Peace Corps/Africa, specifically, Lesotho. As I was reading a letter from a RPCV who served in Lesotho she recommended documenting exactly why you decided to join the Peace Corps so you can refer back to those reasons on the tough days. Not only do I think this is sage advice, but I also thought people eventually reading this blog might want to know why it is, exactly, that I wanted to join the Peace Corps.



So, here are some reasons I joined the Peace Corps:

• To serve as a global citizen. -I want to make a difference. I have been given a lot of advice about this goal, mainly current and returned volunteers have warned against thinking that you can change the world, but I think that I can make a difference and this is the number one reason why I am joining the Peace Corps. I also eventually want to work in the medical field and work in a community that is under-served, from my background and education I am keenly aware that those under-served communities are not just found in the US.


• To gain invaluable work experience, which will benefit me in the future. -It is said that the Peace Corps is the hardest job that you will ever love. With this widely known and accepted statement comes a recognition by employers and educational institutions that RPCV posses unique qualities which set them apart.


• To be immersed in another culture, and learn another language. -PC volunteers are given a rare opportunity to live and work in another culture for two years, rather than merely seeing a culture through the lens of a vacationer. I have always loved traveling (thanks Mom and Oma) and this is an extension of that passion.


• To have an adventure. -Pretty self explanatory, except to add that at the current time in my life I have no significant responsibilities (a house, family, longterm career) to keep me from taking this opportunity.


• Etc. -There are some other reasons, like, taking a break after Willamette and before PA school, pursuing a challenge, learning to live without (which I would expect will teach me to be even more thankful for the things I have), and the opportunity to travel all over Africa, but the ones listed are the main reasons.

After writing them down and articulating them (again, since I did this for the application about 8 months ago), I am sure that I am making the right decision.

The Application process....

I wanted to start my new blog with a quick overview of my experience in the application process so far:

• I began my application in October 2008
• I submitted my application January 26 2009
• All of my recommendations were submitted February 11, 2009 (what a great birthday present!)
• I had my interview February 16, 2009
• My follow-up interview was February 23, 2009. At this point my recruiter -Erin- recommended me for service, but I was not given a nomination due to health volunteer nominations being full. I was told I would hopefully receive a nomination before my graduation in May, and could expect to leave in the Spring of 2010.
• Change of plans -I got a call from my recruiter with an opportunity for an earlier nomination (most likely January), the only catch is that I would not be nominated for a health position, but rather as a science teacher in Africa. After thinking this option over for, oh, about 20 seconds, I decided to go for it! (I did say I was flexible, and I liked the earlier departure date.)
• Received my official nomination on March 26, 2009 (during my AMAZING spring break trip in Tahoe with the girls!) for Science teaching in Africa.
• Next step was medical and background checks. I completed all paperwork and sent it to PC HQ at the end of April 2009.
• I was notified I had been dentally and legally cleared in June.
• Then I waited... In the meantime I graduated from Willamette University in May with my BA in Biology and continued to work at Salem Hospital in the lab. (This was a long waiting period, where I did not hear from the Peace Corps for many weeks at a time... patience...)
• I finally found out I was medically cleared July 24, 2009
• I was contacted by the placement office and sent them an updated resume, and final transcript a few days later

and.... Here I am. Trying to wait as patiently as possible for word on my official invitation. I am trying to expect the worst and hope for the best, and gain as much useful tutoring/teaching/classroom experience as possible in the meantime.