Tuesday, June 19, 2012

My Peace Corps Application Timeline



As my first post I figured I would start with showing everyone what I have gone through this far to get to the point I am today. In just one week I will be getting on a plane and leaving for Swaziland.  It has taken me exactly 2 years to get to this point, so if people think I have been overly-excited, it's because I have been fighting to get to this moment and so glad that I have made it.



*June 2010- Submitted my application
*September 2010- Interview in Washington D.C. with my recruiter. Was then nominated to serve as a volunteer somewhere in Asia by Aug. 2011.
*October 2010- Started working on my medical kit. By mid-October I received my Dental Clearance. Was denied my Medical Clearance due to an “abnormal pap smear”.

*January 2011- Appointment made with specialist to try and clear up what was wrong with me

*March 2011-Test results came back bad.  Was diagnosed with Stage 0 Cervical Cancer.Went through more procedures and treatments to get better.
*May 2011- GRADUATED!!! Having a degree is one of the qualifications to volunteer.
*May 2011- Peace Corps sent out letter saying that due to government budget cuts, there would be no more volunteers going out for the rest of the year.  This was good news for me, as it still bought me some time to get my medical clearance.
* July 2011- Results came back good after my 3 month check up!

*August 2011- Since I now have some time before I leave, I have started working on my Master’s of Arts in Intercultural Studies.
*October 2011- Results came back good after my 6 month check up. Finally got my Medical Clearance! Though now my nominated region has changed and up for review. I now have to be placed in a medically qualified country, should I get sick again.
*February 2012- My placement officer tells me he will be sending my invitation out soon and I will be going somewhere in Africa.
*March 2012- Received my invitation in the mail. I’m going to SWAZILAND! (as a youth and community development volunteer).
*April 2012- More and more paperwork! Since it has been over a year since my Dental Clearance, I have to get it alllllll done again. This takes me over 4 weeks to complete.

*May 2012- I’m almost done. I got my Dental Clearance, but the Medical Office still needs me to get another check-up since it’s been a year since my procedure. Thankfully everything is coming back good. After a few doctor visits, I have been fully Medically Clear for service! Plane ticket is booked this month as well.
*June 2012- Turned in my 2 week notice at work and moved back to Ohio. On June 26th I will be getting on a plane and flying to Africa.

Future Date
*September 2012- After I have completed my 3 months of training, I will be swearing in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer.

1 comment:

  1. This is so great! I'm really excited for you and I really liked reading about the process you had to go through. You are going to be an awesome volunteer. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures:-) ~Marly

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