October 18, 2012: I turned in the application after scrutinizing every tiny detail only to discover later that I left out some information that became a huge factor for my placement.
Early/Mid-November: I corresponded with the Peace Corps Recruiter in Chicago via phone and email. In these emails and phone calls they asked some simple personal questions as a way to prepare for the potential interview.
November 30, 2012: I drove to Chicago from Dubuque to have my interview. Had a lovely day strolling the streets of downtown Chicago to calm by nerves before the interview I spent most of my young adult life waiting for.
The interview went great and found I should have included information about my past tutoring experiences, so the Recruiter sent me an attachment via email to fill out which I promptly sent in the next day.
December 18, 2012: Received my nomination for a position in Youth Development departing in July.
Late December 2012: Drove from Madison to Dubuque during winter break from classes because I was silly and did not realize that I was having the Peace Corps send packets to the wrong address. The packet I was picking up was the legal kit.
January 3, 2013: Mailed in my fingerprints.
February 13, 2013: Legally cleared!!!
February 15 and 17, 2013: Received and sent in a Youth Development questionnaire via email. I changed the earliest date I could leave from July 2013 to June 15, 2013.
February 27, 2013: After being told I would not hear anything for a good 4-6 weeks, I just happened to look in my email and then passed out. Just kidding. But to my surprise, on that day I received my invitation to serve as an Secondary English Teacher in Sierra Leone, Africa with a departure date of June 18, 2013.
March, April, May: I sent in a great deal of forms to the Peace Corps. It is highly recommended that you turn them in as soon as possible, especially the passport and visa forms.
May 3, 2013: Medically cleared after a number of doctor's appointments and running back and forth between Dubuque and Madison. Then all I had to do was prepare for June.
June 17, 2013: Staging in Philly.
June 18, 2013: Hasta luego, United States. Kushe, Sierra Leone!!
My application and placement were really quick. The amount of time from the date I turned the application in to the date I actually depart is only 8 months, which isn't always the case for other volunteers, because for some it can take over a year. You need to be as flexible as possible with the Peace Corps. If you make the process all about where you want to go, it's not going to be a smooth process. I basically said yes to whatever the Peace Corps asked of me and that made everything much easier. You need to be willing to move out of your comfort zone and not expect this process to be all about you. You are helping other people out, they didn't choose to be where they are. All in all: you need to learn to be flexible!!!
I know Sierra Leone will be a little hot and humid. I know I will not have all the luxuries I have here in the U.S. I know what I am getting myself into and I cannot wait. This is not just about myself, this is about all the amazing people I will meet very soon.
