So obviously you're here because you've either applied for Peace Corps or thinking about applying. Or you just want to volunteer abroad. Although I have not left for Malawi, Africa yet, I can still give some great advice, these are in no particular order.
1.) Learn to Wait
Patience is Key for everything.From the application, to the invitation to staging to PST all the way to COS. This will carry you through your entire Peace Corps Journey. Getting through the application took me two days and thats because I was so excited to fill it out and determined to finish it. A lot of other people that I talk to say it took them longer than a week. Patience is also key when communicating with recruiters about anything because they are communicating with a whole host of other people at the same time. As you get further into the process you won't have to wait long for a response. I had to wait at the most 1 week for a response from my recruiter but now with my Country Desk Manager I get a same day response.
2.) Stop listening to People
Do not entertain the negative comments that people have to say. I.E. "Its dangerous" "you're gonna get sick'' "Why would you do that youre not going to make any money" "Its a waste of time" "youre gonna get raped"
I could go on but you have to realize that people project their own fears and inseurities upon you and you cant let that deter you from making an important desicion about your future.
3.) Realize you are about to step away from the Norm
After you graduate most people go to Grad School or Start Working.Its the normal thing to do, its comfortable and thats what they know to do, theres nothing wrong with it. But realize that your making a descion about your future that not many people will make.
4.) Press Pause
Consider that while you are making some of your own major milestones your friends and family will be making their own major milestones and you cant make a 2 hour drive to celebrate
5.) Be Flexible and Open-minded
Dont consider peace corps if you want to be placed in a site specific country, throw all those thoughts out of the window NOW lol. When I first applied I wanted to be placed in Jamaica (Dont ask) and then I just knew I was going to be placed in a Spanish Speaking country (wrong again) lol. When I got my invitation to serve in Malawi I cried tears of joy because it was perfect for me. I realized I only wanted to go to those other countries for selfish reasons, I told myself I wanted to go where I would be needed and I could use my skills and believe me I am more than happy about where I am going.
6.) Medical and Dental Clearance are a pain in the Neck
There was a point in time where I thought I was not even going to go, everytime I turned around I needed to get more bloodwork, or needed to go back to the dentist. During the process to clearance I was placed on medical hold and the Doctors had to go through my papers to make sure I was healthy enough to serve. The smallest thing could be wrong and Peace Corps nurses will hone in on it. Its a pain but at the end of the day its worth it because you dont want to get all the way to another country get sick and realize its something that could have been prevented.
7.) Ask yourself if you're commited and ready to serve
If you cant put your phone down or away for an hour, If you constantly need to be in communication or if you have seperation anxiety from technology and social media then you may not be ready to serve.
Are you volunteering because it looks cool or are you volunteering because your willing to step out of yourself and make a change? Its always a plus to have Peace Corps stories but realize that this journey is NOT just about YOU.
8.) "I want to change the world"
I asked someone why they wanted to join Peace Corps and they said "To change the world"... Not to sound negative but You wont. Now dont get me wrong, I have a huge heart and wish I could do everything in my power to Stop the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. But I cant, I can only do my part and educate others to do their part. Its a team effort and its your job to educate. You may not change the world but you can change a small part.
Until the next time
Love you ALL
