ⓟⓔⓡⓤ ➋➋
I started contemplating about the Peace Corps early in college. Through the years, I’ve heard some people wanted to do it. One friend told me he would, but then decided to not stay in another country for 27 months.
I have personal pros and cons for this decision I made-
Pros:
-I mostly hear great stories and read great journals about life as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
-I would be applying in the Environmental Section, where I would gain experience to strengthen my resume.
-It is a great spontaneous thing to do in life, different cultural lifestyle.
-I’ll get to eat wonderful food from other places
-I’ll get to visit great nature sceneries that you only see in pictures
Cons:
-My parents are pretty old, so I worry something might happen to them.
-I could’ve done 2 years of seasonal jobs in the US
-Two years is a LONG time. I’ve said it to myself, it is literally starting another life. That’s why I did it right after College, because I would still need to start another life, the job/love stage.
Stats:
Time it took to finish starting application- 53 days
I started contemplating about the Peace Corps early in college. Through the years, I’ve heard some people wanted to do it. One friend told me he would, but then decided to not stay in another country for 27 months.
I have personal pros and cons for this decision I made-
Pros:
-I mostly hear great stories and read great journals about life as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
-I would be applying in the Environmental Section, where I would gain experience to strengthen my resume.
-It is a great spontaneous thing to do in life, different cultural lifestyle.
-I’ll get to eat wonderful food from other places
-I’ll get to visit great nature sceneries that you only see in pictures
Cons:
-My parents are pretty old, so I worry something might happen to them.
-I could’ve done 2 years of seasonal jobs in the US
-Two years is a LONG time. I’ve said it to myself, it is literally starting another life. That’s why I did it right after College, because I would still need to start another life, the job/love stage.
Stats:
Time it took to finish starting application- 53 days
Time it took to receive legal clearance- 129 days
Time it took to receive an invitation with country and job positions- 212 days
Time it took to receive medical clearance after submitting everything- 11 days
Time it took from application to staging date- 374 days
(September 4, 2012 – September 12, 2013)
The general PC process should be the same, except for field of work, country, and your health. That should change type of vaccinations (prices), duration, among others.
(September 4, 2012 – September 12, 2013)
The general PC process should be the same, except for field of work, country, and your health. That should change type of vaccinations (prices), duration, among others.
Enjoy!
 |
| Starting Application Tabs (click to enlarge) |
 |
| Application Tabs (click to enlarge) |
August 29- Took initiative by emailing PC for information.
September 4- Received email from recruiter Curt Baker saying he will be at ACE day and giving a PC presentation, both at Texas A&M, my school. Mentioned me the Masters International option.
I wanted a break from studying, I didnt want to take the GRE just yet, and I am still not sure what to get a Master's in, so I did not decide to look into it.
September 4- Emailed Curt back saying I’ve started my application online, and about going to his presentation.
September 14- Emailed me back with meeting me on ACE Day
September 19- Went to ACE Day and talked to Curt
October 5- Submitted my first updated resume
October 7- Emailed past supervisors for references
October 8- Supervisors emailed me saying, yes, they would serve as my references
October 27- Submitted the application (included: essays, 3 references, etc.)
October 27- Medical Applicant Portal Registration
October 27- Submitted the History Health Form
October 30- Official email from Curt about receiving the application, to contact my references within 10 days of the email. Small info paragraphs in four points:
Updating application information
Iinterview
Medical information
Independent research.
November- Following-Up with references
November 19- Emailed me to interview December 6th at 2:30 pm and attached a pdf with cross cultural topics to be ready for the interview
December 6- Took interview on the phone. I told him I did not have a car, with his office in Dallas. Interview lasted 1.5 hrs. A lot was from cultural and lifestyle changes, which I was pretty flexible in. There was also some questions with situations that I have never experienced before. So you would just have to share a similar experience, and answer something you would do if his question became realistic.
December 11-Nominated by Curt for Sector: Environment
Tentative, Departure Month: September 2013
December- Went to Death Valley geology course trip (2 weeks)
I wanted a break from studying, I didnt want to take the GRE just yet, and I am still not sure what to get a Master's in, so I did not decide to look into it.
September 4- Emailed Curt back saying I’ve started my application online, and about going to his presentation.
September 14- Emailed me back with meeting me on ACE Day
September 19- Went to ACE Day and talked to Curt
October 5- Submitted my first updated resume
October 7- Emailed past supervisors for references
October 8- Supervisors emailed me saying, yes, they would serve as my references
October 27- Submitted the application (included: essays, 3 references, etc.)
October 27- Medical Applicant Portal Registration
October 27- Submitted the History Health Form
October 30- Official email from Curt about receiving the application, to contact my references within 10 days of the email. Small info paragraphs in four points:
Updating application information
Iinterview
Medical information
Independent research.
November- Following-Up with references
November 19- Emailed me to interview December 6th at 2:30 pm and attached a pdf with cross cultural topics to be ready for the interview
December 6- Took interview on the phone. I told him I did not have a car, with his office in Dallas. Interview lasted 1.5 hrs. A lot was from cultural and lifestyle changes, which I was pretty flexible in. There was also some questions with situations that I have never experienced before. So you would just have to share a similar experience, and answer something you would do if his question became realistic.
December 11-Nominated by Curt for Sector: Environment
Tentative, Departure Month: September 2013
December- Went to Death Valley geology course trip (2 weeks)
January 2- Sent fingerprints
January 3- Went to Big Bend friend trip (4 days)
January 10- Legally cleared
January 29- Emailed Curt to follow up on the nomination, and reminding my flexibility and qualifications.
January 29- Emailed me back saying to check my applicant portal and medical portal for status updates.
February 5- Submitted my cover letter
February 18- Emailed him saying- I’ve been checking my portal. That map has no tasks for me. I questioned him the process from what I’ve been reading. That after interview, there is the medical process.
February 19- Emailed me back saying- if there’s no tasks at map, then play the waiting game.
February 27- Received an email saying I’m considered for Peace Corps Mexico for agriculture and environmental programs the Ministry of Environment and National Resources. The lady asked for a filled questionnaire and an updated resume focusing on Natural Resource Management/Environmental Conservation/Sustainable Agriculture/Water Conservation/GIS Systems.
April 2- Sent a follow-up email for Peace Corps Mexico
April 3- Received an email saying I did not get in PCMexico. They said that program usually requires 10-15 years of professional experience for their specialist programs. I was weirded out with that, they said they would not send me to the country where I have finally, but on the call we had she said it was an exception and that I was competing with like 30 people. I was kind of sure I wouldn’t make it anyway. Also that email said they found an alternate assignment for me…then the next email follows.
April 3- Received invitation to Peru, have 7 days to accept invitation.
April 5- Receive a confirmation email right after I accept my invitation.
April 5- Received an email from MAP to check dental and immunization tasks.
April 5- Received my most important email that contained the “Next Steps” which included 10 points.
Resume and aspiration statement
New volunteer portal
Passport and visa
Final medical clearance
Legal eligibility
Final transcript
Contact information
Staging details
Pre-departure reading
Point of contact
April 16- Received a MAP email saying tasks are posted
April 19- Submitted aspiration statement and resume to Peru PC
April 15- Received my Varicella shot at my university clinic
April 22- Gallons of blood were taken out for physical testing on:
Complete Blood Count/Diff($20),
Basic Metabolic Profile($35),
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase($56),
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen($29),
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody($60),
HIV-1/2 Antibody($36), and
Urine Chemistry/Urine Microscopic/Urinalysis($15)
April 23- Got my shots at my university clinic for:
Yellow Fever Vaccine($106),
Injectable Polio Vaccine($45),
Tuberculum PPD($15),
Tetanus/Diphtheria Tdap Vaccine (Adacel) Pertussis, Diph($51)
May 1- Dental examination, clean up, and x-rays:
Comp oral eval-new/eslab pat($80)
Vertical bitewings-7 to 8 films($89)
Panoramic film($102)
Prophylaxis-adult($82)
May 2- Received email from Peru PC on confirmation in receiving my aspiration statement and resume
May 6- Finally received access to the other portal, the PC New Volunteer Portal on the email saying onboard/staging process started today.
May 11- Graduated from Texas A&M University at College Station with a BS in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
May 14- Received email with account to access Peace Corps LearningSpace
May 20- Flew to my SCA Intership at San Juan National Historic Site
May 25- Finally got an eye exam in Pearle Vision, Plaza Las Americas, Puerto Rico
Intermediate EXAM w/o DFE REGULAR($49)
PV Optomap Screening($39)
June 5- Went to get my passport pictures (3) for my Passport/Visa
June 6- Finally ordered glasses at Santurce Walmart
SV SeikoLens($85)
SV SeikoLens($85)
Optical Frame($84)
June 7- Finally sent my Passport/Visa application, was really nervous about getting something wrong or missing to attach something.
June 14- Received reminder about my medical process, that I have 30 days to complete it.
June 16- Finally submitted ALL of my medical documents, getting eye glasses was a pain with my internship, timewise.
June 17- Submitted my transcript.
June 23- Resubmitted an updated resume.
June 25- Received MAP email with one more task to do. They needed all of my dental x-rays, so I emailed the Eye Center I went.
June 26- Submitted those dental x-rays and received the MAP confirmation email.
June 27- Medically Cleared and got a MAP message saying I would need 2 pairs of glasses.
July 10- Received reminder to complete everything in New Volunteer Portal (had it already done) and complete the orientation at Peace Corps Learning (hadn’t done it).
July 11- Started this Timeline post, took me many hours.
July 20- Finished my two courses on PC Learning.
August 13- Finished my internship at San Juan National Historic Site.
Aug/Sept- Enjoying the free month with friends and family.
September 12- Departure to Staging at DC
September 13- Departure to Lima, Peru. Training starts
Let the adventure BEGIN!
January 3- Went to Big Bend friend trip (4 days)
January 10- Legally cleared
January 29- Emailed Curt to follow up on the nomination, and reminding my flexibility and qualifications.
January 29- Emailed me back saying to check my applicant portal and medical portal for status updates.
February 5- Submitted my cover letter
February 18- Emailed him saying- I’ve been checking my portal. That map has no tasks for me. I questioned him the process from what I’ve been reading. That after interview, there is the medical process.
February 19- Emailed me back saying- if there’s no tasks at map, then play the waiting game.
February 27- Received an email saying I’m considered for Peace Corps Mexico for agriculture and environmental programs the Ministry of Environment and National Resources. The lady asked for a filled questionnaire and an updated resume focusing on Natural Resource Management/Environmental Conservation/Sustainable Agriculture/Water Conservation/GIS Systems.
April 2- Sent a follow-up email for Peace Corps Mexico
April 3- Received an email saying I did not get in PCMexico. They said that program usually requires 10-15 years of professional experience for their specialist programs. I was weirded out with that, they said they would not send me to the country where I have finally, but on the call we had she said it was an exception and that I was competing with like 30 people. I was kind of sure I wouldn’t make it anyway. Also that email said they found an alternate assignment for me…then the next email follows.
April 3- Received invitation to Peru, have 7 days to accept invitation.
 |
| Invitation in pdf form, not in paper (like what uTube shows) (click to enlarge) |
April 5- Received an email from MAP to check dental and immunization tasks.
April 5- Received my most important email that contained the “Next Steps” which included 10 points.
Resume and aspiration statement
New volunteer portal
Passport and visa
Final medical clearance
Legal eligibility
Final transcript
Contact information
Staging details
Pre-departure reading
Point of contact
April 16- Received a MAP email saying tasks are posted
April 19- Submitted aspiration statement and resume to Peru PC
April 15- Received my Varicella shot at my university clinic
April 22- Gallons of blood were taken out for physical testing on:
Complete Blood Count/Diff($20),
Basic Metabolic Profile($35),
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase($56),
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen($29),
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody($60),
HIV-1/2 Antibody($36), and
Urine Chemistry/Urine Microscopic/Urinalysis($15)
April 23- Got my shots at my university clinic for:
Yellow Fever Vaccine($106),
Injectable Polio Vaccine($45),
Tuberculum PPD($15),
Tetanus/Diphtheria Tdap Vaccine (Adacel) Pertussis, Diph($51)
May 1- Dental examination, clean up, and x-rays:
Comp oral eval-new/eslab pat($80)
Vertical bitewings-7 to 8 films($89)
Panoramic film($102)
Prophylaxis-adult($82)
May 2- Received email from Peru PC on confirmation in receiving my aspiration statement and resume
May 6- Finally received access to the other portal, the PC New Volunteer Portal on the email saying onboard/staging process started today.
 |
| New Volunteer Portal - First two tabs (click to enlarge) |
 |
| New Volunteer Portal - Third and Fifth tabs (click to enlarge) |
May 14- Received email with account to access Peace Corps LearningSpace
May 20- Flew to my SCA Intership at San Juan National Historic Site
May 25- Finally got an eye exam in Pearle Vision, Plaza Las Americas, Puerto Rico
Intermediate EXAM w/o DFE REGULAR($49)
PV Optomap Screening($39)
June 5- Went to get my passport pictures (3) for my Passport/Visa
June 6- Finally ordered glasses at Santurce Walmart
SV SeikoLens($85)
SV SeikoLens($85)
Optical Frame($84)
June 7- Finally sent my Passport/Visa application, was really nervous about getting something wrong or missing to attach something.
June 14- Received reminder about my medical process, that I have 30 days to complete it.
June 16- Finally submitted ALL of my medical documents, getting eye glasses was a pain with my internship, timewise.
 |
| Medical Applicant Portal (MAP) - All required examinations (click to enlarge) |
June 23- Resubmitted an updated resume.
June 25- Received MAP email with one more task to do. They needed all of my dental x-rays, so I emailed the Eye Center I went.
June 26- Submitted those dental x-rays and received the MAP confirmation email.
June 27- Medically Cleared and got a MAP message saying I would need 2 pairs of glasses.
July 10- Received reminder to complete everything in New Volunteer Portal (had it already done) and complete the orientation at Peace Corps Learning (hadn’t done it).
July 11- Started this Timeline post, took me many hours.
July 20- Finished my two courses on PC Learning.
 |
| PC LearningSpace - eLearning site for the 2 pre-departure PC courses (click to enlarge) |
August 13- Finished my internship at San Juan National Historic Site.
Aug/Sept- Enjoying the free month with friends and family.
September 12- Departure to Staging at DC
September 13- Departure to Lima, Peru. Training starts
Let the adventure BEGIN!
