"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience" Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I decided to apply to serve in the Peace Corps (PC), I knew that it was going to be a lengthy process.  It was late in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic surged ahead, and I was still doing my job from my living room.  There were a lot of uncertainties--not only in my life, but for everyone, everywhere.  

One of the positive outcomes of the pandemic was that Peace Corps had a lot of online panels, workshops, and meeting opportunities.  I took full advantage of these!  In addition to attending panels with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), I also went to online office hours with my local PC recruiter from Seattle.  PC provided a fantastic resume and personal statement workshop; and the local recruiter read over both and gave me feedback.  I also got feedback from colleagues; for anyone thinking about applying, I strongly encourage you to solicit impact from multiple folks on your application materials.  I finally submitted my application in July 2021.  

And then I waited...

In July 2022 I received an invitation to interview with PC (you read that right--1 year later).   I had my interview about 2 weeks later.  My invitation to serve came in late September.  Once you're invited, you still need to complete medical and legal clearance.  Legal clearance took until the end of November (involves things like fingerprinting and an FBI background check); medical clearance took quite a bit longer.  There were a lot of lab tests, appointments, vaccinations, and forms to be completed.  I finally got my medical clearance at the end of March. 

It was at that point that things got REAL.  I am so very fortunate to have a job where I can take leave of absence for the length of my service.  And even though I live in a very small space (~600 sq ft) it still all has to get packed up and put into storage.  I’m also currently teaching 3 classes and have a pretty heavy service load at work. 

I’m chipping away at things!  There have been many trips to Goodwill, and I have also started putting things into storage (I was very excited on the day I actually started moving stuff in there, LOL).  

There are still a lot of unknowns, but here's what I can tell you right now--the next step is "staging" where I will meet my cohort in Atlanta, GA (June 3-5).  Then I'll be going to St. Lucia to start my training.  This is also where I will meet the host family who I will live with during training.  

More soon as I countdown to departure!!