Friday, October 1, 2010

Getting Started

A big package came in:



What is this?  If you're my mom, it's a dreadful package.  If you're a Peace Corps volunteer, it's the famous blue packet.  If you're anyone else, this is the final packet given to you prior to moving over to your host country.  Inside you'll find forms for your visa/passport, financial information, resumes to write (again), life insurance, privacy form, and the final registration form. Basically, more and more forms to fill out. 

So how did we get here?  To get the final packet, let's go through the timeline of starting the idea of serving to getting your blue packet:

August 2009:  Filled out the very lengthy (it makes your extensive college application look like a one page form) application and very lengthy medical history.  These applications and medical history go through your legal situation, financial situation, relationships, work history, transcripts, etc. 

October 2009:  Traveled to Oakland for a two hour interview.  Upon arriving, I am greeted by a new person who said that my main point of contact can not do the interview today.  I go through the interview and have a solid performance, but my interviewer and I tussle over one main concept: geographic preference.  I say it's Africa or nothing.  She says that's not my call.  We end at a Mexican standoff.

December 2009:  Nomination received from the Peace Corps.  In it is a one page letter stating that I will be serving in math education in Africa in mid-October.

February 2010:  Medical review.  In order to be cleared for an invitation (blue packet), you must be cleared medically and legally.  The medical review comprises of eye doctor examinations, dental x-rays and dental health, vaccinations, blood work, physicals, psychological review, etc.  It takes a lot of time out of your life. 

September 2010:  Phone interview.  This is sudden and unexpected (it happens while I'm at the horse track on Labor Day weekend), but must be done immediately.  I pass and am awarded a nomination.  Up until this point, there is no guarantee of a job in the Peace Corps.  In fact, very few people get to this point.  One stat said that only 30% of the applicants get an invitation.  Once I get the invitation and blue packet, the final forms are sent back to the Peace Corps and ready to go.

Here is the timeline up until I become an official volunteer:

October 18-20: Travel to Philadelphia for staging.  Staging includes introductions and final vaccinations.
October 20: Drive to New York for the international flight.
October 20-22: Fly to Kigali with a stopover in Brussels.
October 22 - December 30: Training.

Why Brussels as a stopover?  What is the staging?  How does this work?  What about Kigali, Rwanda?  All of these will be answered over the next two years.  We'll go over the culture, history, quirks, Peace Corps life, and anything you want to hear about in Rwanda and East Africa.  We'll go over the past years of my life and decision to join.  Finally, we'll go over traveling and the adventures of living in a third world country. 

My life is changing from the beach house in Newport Beach to a hut house in Rwanda.  So much is changing other than the walls of the residence.  I'm ready for it all...