Just sharing...

I had a great conversation with my recruiter today. I am not sure who is more excited about my Peace Corps assignment and location; she is extremely excited that she was able to procure such a perfect fit for me. Based on our conversation the Peace Corps has had an increase in applicants and a decrease in positions offered, so placements are getting more difficult for recruiters to procure for applicants. I feel grateful to receive a placement, let alone in the geographic location and job assignment that was ranked first on my application.

There is plenty of negative information regarding the application process for the Peace Corps; however, I am happy to report that I have had a great experience to date…and am waiting for the shoe to drop. I have found that if I am well prepared for the next step in the process and do my due diligence in my research, I have yet to have any surprises.


My recruiter had a few things to remind me of today. First, I am due for staging (two days of brain dump in Philadelphia before flying to assigned country) at the end of May 2010. Based on my research and deductions, I will be serving in Armenia. (The region I have been nominated for has three country choices. Georgia no longer has volunteers. Azerbaijan historically stages once a year in September. Armenia historically stages once a year in the last week in May. Also, Azerbaijan does not have any advanced business development push and Armenia does.) Second, do not go to your doctor’s appointments without the appropriate paperwork from the Peace Corps for physician’s to fill out while my appointment is progressing. This seemed like a given to me, but I guess a recruiter cannot make assumptions. Third, she warned that I may not hear

from the medical office for a few months after submitting my evaluations. Evaluations are not reviewed based on the receipt date; they are reviewed based on the departure date of the nominee. She reminded me to be as honest as possible with my evaluations and have my doctors do the same. You do not want to miss anything and have it come up later. This will get you deferred and/or have your application pulled from active status.

I am thrilled that I can see the light at the end of tunnel. And have a plan to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. Twelve months to go and counting!