When I completed my undergrad I often asked myself, ‘Why not the Peace Corps?’. Before I knew it several months had passed. I was beginning graduate school and I had a new man in my life that I was willing to change my dreams for. Shortly after I began school, I moved to American Express and I thought I would work for Amex for the rest of my career. The passing thought of becoming a volunteer in the Peace Corps left my mind. Or at least it did until several weeks ago. I am not sure if I can even put my finger on a trigger moment in the last few weeks when the thought entered my mind. I am no longer with Amex and the man has moved on, so I have been presented with the amazing opportunity of choices. Suddenly the Peace Corps feels like the perfect fit for this stage in my life.
The next question is, ‘Am I too girlie?’ Seriously. I am not much of the outdoorsy type. I am not a backpacker. I don’t spend days on end in the wilds of everything. I am a day hiker at best. I am a Nordies shopper and I love central heating in my house. I am a gym exerciser and not an outdoor runner. So, why in the world would I choose to live in a grass hunt in sub-Saharan Africa or small pre-WWI apartment with no heat in Eastern Europe? Really I don’t have a good answer, besides the fact that I want to make a difference. As the world, both countries and economies change, I want to be a part of it. I want to be a part of something much bigger than me and know that I had a part in its growth. I want to represent America at its very best. I want to use my education to educate those who will never have the opportunities that I do. I want to be a better person and push myself to levels I have never dreamed.
When I turned thirty I promised myself that I would always use my time wisely. I did not want years to go by and wonder what I had done with them. For the past six years I have been in school. I like reflecting and knowing I did something. Something big. Something life changing. I don’t want to reflect in five years and wish I would have taken the opportunity of the Peace Corps.
So, I am in the process of applying to be assigned as a volunteer in the Peace Corps. I will use this blog as my journal and timeline, for all of you and for me. I am hoping to have my application completed and submitted by 6Feb09. I am not available for placement before January 2010 with my school commitment.
Interesting Facts….
I will serve 27 months. Three in training and 24 in my assigned country.
I can give a preference of region, but not country. You are assigned your region and country before training, but your site is not assigned until training.
The application process will take 6-12 months from initial application to invitation.
4 comments:
whoa, that is wonderful! Are you worried about leaving your family? Where will you store your stuff while you are gone? These are the two main questions keeping me from yelling, I'll go with you!
You just might be too girly... I know I sure as heck am!
But good for you and the best of luck with getting everything together! What a process!
I have some dear friends who taught science in Tanzania and absolutely LOVED the whole experience (it helps that they met there, fell in love, and are now happily married, but that's a whole other story!).
WOWSERS! You call me over lesser stuff and I have to read about this one? Amy that is huge. And incredibly exciting. You go girl. I can't wait to hear all about it. And look at the pictures!!!
Good luck with the application process, stay motivated and you will be fine, jeez I cant wait until mine is finished! -Tom
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