This whole process started for me back in August 2008, when I started my online application for the Peace Corps. The great thing about working online with PC is that you can start an application and return at a later time. Everything is saved! I finally crossed all my T's and dotted all my I's by early October and swiftly got through my interview and finally was nominated in November 2008.
Although an applicant can request a specific country to serve, choosing a more general geographic region would be a better move. Competitiveness in the amount of qualified applicants is increasing due in part to both President Obama's call to service and also the economic recession. Unfortunately due to the latter, budget cuts leads to more program closures which consequently decreases the amount of available spots open. I requested sub-saharan Africa as my top choice. Why? I had noticed a banner on the PC website with the headline: "Learn Kenyan Sign Language". Upon further investigation I learned that the PC operates a unique deaf education program in Kenya. Obviously this caught my attention and I grew curious to learn more... Dan Birdsall, my PC recruiter in Boston, felt I held enough experience in working within the deaf community and nominated me to work in Deaf Education in Africa to the PC headquarters in Washington, DC. From there a committee will decide my candidacy. Dan was fairly certain that Kenya was the only African country that had a PC Deaf Education program. So its pretty safe to expect Kenya.
On average it takes an applicant one calendar year between being nominated and actually leaving for service. Naturally then my projected date of departure would be November of 2009. Following my nomination would come the most arduous and annoying part of all: medical, dental and legal clearance. Sparing you all from the intricate pointless details of this process and the numerous frustrations I encountered, I'll just tell you that the whole thing took months of back and forth communication. I was finally deemed in May as fully qualified in all three sectors. It was a great relief!
What's next? Placement and invitation! I am currently at this stage in my long process. Is it safe to say that I have a position with the Peace Corps? Yes. Do I know the specifics? No... I only tell others, "Kenya and Deaf Education" because the program calls for very unique, uncommon qualifications; all of which I happen to possess. Dan reassures me time and time again that although I should keep an open mind, he wouldn't be surprised at all if I were invited to the program.
I would be happy with almost any assignment in almost any country. Have I grown attached to the idea of Kenya? Of course! Especially with working in deaf education! But I look forward to hearing back about anything PC is willing to offer me. Volunteering in the PC for me is as much about personal growth and cultural expansion as it will be about bringing my alleged special skills to helping the underserved.
When will I know for sure? Hopefully by the end of August. Until then, I'm working on that whole flexibility and patience thing...
