To Peace or Not To Peace

That is the question.

 

Joining Peace Corps hasn’t always been the plan. In fact, it was only in the last year and a half that it really surfaced as the right fit for us.

Kirby had considered Peace Corps quite a while ago and, together, we had spoken about it as an option. But, to be honest, we had some apprehensions back then. When we “stumbled” across the idea of Peace Corps again in 2016, suddenly the things we weren’t sure about had appeal. The rules and regulations that come with a government organization once seemed cumbersome, but now assured support and stability. The box of a 2-year service commitment had before seemed “square”, but now offered structure and a realistic expectation of time overseas. While a faith-based opportunity had been forefront in our minds, Peace Corps relieved the burden of constantly raising funds to survive and be productive in another country. The more we researched and spoke to RPCVs, the more positives we saw.

In October 2016, we made the decision to apply and see what happens. It was an exciting proposition, perhaps even a little crazy. However, from the moment we each pushed that “submit application” button, there has been a strong sense of peace and calm over this whole process. We decided in the beginning that if Peace Corps was the right fit then doors would open and it would be made clear to us. And boy, did they open fast.

Our understanding is that married couples can have a much longer placement process than the average single applicant. It’s understandable. For couples, placement specialists need to match both individuals’ skill set with two positions, beginning the same time, in one place. With that in mind, our time from the start of our applications to departure seems to have flown by. Below, I’ve laid out our timeline thus far. We will continue to update as our journey continues… we anticipate departing in late September 2017.

Our Peace Corps Process

• September 2016 – Reached out to Peace Corps Recruiter.

This was our choice, we wanted to get information about the process, what to expect, and what might be helpful.

• October – Decided to apply to Peace Corps, began application online.

Deadline for application was January 1, so this was not a rushed time for us. Application includes basic personal information, health history form, resume, aspiration statement.

• November 11 – Submitted application online.
• November 17 – Submitted country and sector preference.

Once the application was submitted, a series of automatic emails followed. One of them prompted us to indicate specific countries and job sectors of interest. You can choose 3 countries, and 3 sectors. Our PC Recruiter had advised us to put “anywhere” in one country option, and “anything” in one sector option. This would open us up to more placement option and significantly increase our chances of being placed.

• November 28 – Received email that we were under consideration for positions in Senegal.
• December 6 – Contacted by placement specialist to interview for positions in Senegal.
• January 3, 2017 – Interviewed individually with placement specialist, via Skype.

A couple weeks before the interviews, we had been given topics of discussion to prepare including:

1. 1. Fulfilling an important but difficult commitment;

   2. Living or working with people from another culture;

   3. Background in working with an especially unstructured or ambiguous environment;

   4. History of working with others;

   5. Experience transferring knowledge or skills;

   6. Failing to achieve a desired goal.

While this was a challenging interview, I really enjoyed it. The gentleman who we spoke to was kind and open. There were a few times I didn’t feel satisfied about my answers, but overall I felt able to give an honest and realistic representation of myself and my interest in Peace Corps.

• January 27 – Interviewed as a couple, via Skype.

Second round was interviewing together. As before, we were given some questions and topics to discuss together and prepare:

1. 1. How long have you been living together? Have you ever moved to a new location together? Please describe some challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

   2. How long have you talked about serving in Peace Corps together? Who first suggested it? Did your desire to serve together influence your decision to get married?

   3. What do you see as some of the advantages and disadvantages of serving in Peace Corps as a couple? 

   4. Identify a crisis situation or event that you have experienced together. How specifically did you handle that crisis? What did you learn, as a couple, from that experience? 

   5. Typically, if a Volunteer becomes pregnant she will be medically separated from Peace Corps and sent home. Does this information affect your current commitment to serve 27 months in the Peace Corps? 

   6. Many cultures are characterized by male domination, putting strain on western women accustomed to a more equal role in society.  How do you each feel you would react to prescribed gender roles and traditional couple roles? 

   7. It is likely that while learning the language, initiating projects, or assimilating in your community, one of you is going to be more successful than the other.  Have you dealt with varying levels of success in the past?  How can you support each other when one of you is doing well and the other is progressing more slowly?

   8. During Pre-service training (PST), trainees are required to live with host families, and most couples live apart during this time with different families.  After PST, some couples are also required to live together with host families for the entire duration of service.  Are you willing to live apart during PST and potentially with a host family for the duration of service? Do you have any questions or concerns about this?

• January 31 – Received formal invitation to serve in Senegal.
• February 1 – Accepted invitation.
• February 10? – Mailed required Passport/VISA application and background check documents.

Peace Corps Passport: We will receive a different passport while volunteering, so we were required to send our current passports along with new pictures. VISA Request: This can vary by country, and Senegal does require a VISA so we filled out and sent the appropriate documents. Background Check/Fingerprinting: The paperwork for background was a breeze. Fingerprints, however, were another story. Peace Corps has a specific (and seemingly old) paper form to be printed on. We were required to get them done through the County Sheriff Office, which was a bit of a fiasco — but we succeeded.

• March 5 – Medical and dental tasks assigned. 60 days to complete.

This was the most time consuming and expensive part. The process for medical clearance has a lot involved. They need to make sure you’re going to be okay for 2 years overseas, which makes good sense. Vaccinations, thorough physical, childhood documents, recent medical documents, etc. It was a lot to wade through, and added up quickly. Thankfully we had an amazing local doctor and his team helping us get everything in the right place. Dental was a less cumbersome process, but more expensive. Together, we spent over $1200 on getting our mouths “up to code”. Peace Corps does offer some reimbursement for certain procedures, so that is helpful.

• May 5 – Submitted all medical/dental documents online.
• May 9 – Received email confirming our background/legal clearance.
• July 20 – Kirby receives medical clearance.
• July 21 – Emilie receives medical clearance.
• August 8 – Received email with departure date of September 24th, and staging city of Philadelphia, PA.
• September 24, 25 – Staging in Philadelphia. All future volunteers converge in Philly for an initial training/orientation weekend.
• September 26 – Nonstop flight from New York to Senegal. Approximately 8 hour flight.
• September 27 – Arrive in Senegal, begin Pre-Service Training (PST).
• October 14 – Receive language assignment and begin learning Pulaar.
• October 27 – Received site placement for 2 year service. Visited site with the exiting volunteer for 3 days.
• December 1-6 – Final language, agriculture and cultural exams for PST.
• December 8 – Swear in as Peace Corps Senegal Volunteers in Dakar.
• December 9 – Travel to permanent site.