Invitation

I forgot to mention that I received my official Peace Corps invitation to Comoros. Yay! As time has gone by I have become less nervous and more excited.

As I have mentioned in previous posts it is very intimidating to be going into a new program. I can't simply follow in someone else's shoes- I have to define what Peace Corps will mean to my community. No other PCV will have lived at my site or worked in my school. Much of the PC staff will be new to this. There will be twenty of us spread over three islands, and though they are small islands there are no promises that we will be close to another volunteer. It is all very scary.

On the other hand I am hoping that working with a new program will have different advantages. I won't have to overcome anyone else's mistakes, I expect the staff will be more attentive to an opening cohort's needs, and I am hoping that I can have more of a future with the Peace Corps having been a part of a new program.

Also, Comoros seems pretty cool. It is a tiny chain of tropical volcanic islands off of the cost of Africa. Can't beat that for interesting.

I didn't have to reapply even though the first country I was being considered for, Sierra Leone, didn't open. I did have to answer a series of questions via email since a phone conference wasn't a great option. The questions mostly concerned how I felt about being part of a new program. I am hoping that the seriousness of the follow up questions means that this cohort will have many experienced and serious volunteers. I am now at an age where the just-out-of-college crowd isn't a draw and I'm not yet at an age where I find them charming.

Since receiving the invitation I have entered the pre-departure part of the process. It is actually a lot more aggravating than the application/interview/invitation part. I'm having to do everything from China and it is an added burden. I was able to apply for my no-fee passport but with some difficulty. It took two appointments and nearly involved tears. I am currently unable to find anywhere to do my fingerprints for the legal kit. I may have to do that myself. I have a dentist appointment soon but will have to pay out of pocket. It is going to add up to quite a lot. I didn't realize joining the Peace Corps would be such a financial burden!

I will update soon concerning the legal and medical clearance processes.


*If you are interested in more information about my experience with PC Comoros, check out this blog: This Alien Shore.*