FAQs

 One of my letter writers, the wonderful Debbie, has been asking me numerous questions, but she suggested I answer them on my blog. “I can’t be the only one who wants to know”, she wrote. I thought that sounded like a great idea. So here you go. Peace Corps FAQs.

1.       How did I decide I wanted to join Peace Corps?

This is a long story with many parts. A dear friend of mine in high school, John, always talked about joining the Peace Corps, and I always listened as he talked about it. So I was aware it existed, and a vague understanding of the details relating to application, duration, etc. Also in high school, I had the opportunity to participate in two service trips to El Conejo, Honduras with my church’s youth group. The experience was life altering, and I knew that I had to do international service again in some way. My friend Michelle and I had talked about returning to the same mission site after college and staying as long term volunteers, but unfortunately the site was closed during our Freshmen year in college, and so was my plan for post-collegiate service.

Toward the end of my Junior year in college, I was beginning to prepare for whatever I would do after school. I researched schools, and had decided I would pursue a Master’s degree in Child and Family Studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Everything seemed like a good idea, so I began studying for the GRE. About a month before I was scheduled to take the GRE, I was starting to have my doubts. I was in a place in my educational career when I was starting to feel disenchanted and discouraged with the whole thing. Studying frustrated me, and my plan for my future began to lack its appeal. 

One day, I kid you not, while I was watching Jeopardy, a new idea was planted. During that awkward “interview” portion directly following the first commercial break, Alex was talking to one of the contestants, who just got back from the Peace Corps. A light went on somewhere in my head, and I resolved to just Google Peace Corps later for a bit of research. I did, and decided it would be okay if I added myself to the ListServe. Almost immediately, I got an email stating that anyone who wanted to leave between June 2012- August 2012 needed to apply by a certain date, which happened to be about a week away.

I stared at the email for a while, then decided it might be fun to apply. I remember John telling me in high school how rigorous the application process was and how selective Peace Corps is, so I figured the chance of me moving along in the process were pretty slim. I am usually big on planning, so this spur of the moment decision was completely uncharacteristic. The application was lengthy, but about five days later, I had finished and submitted it. About two days later, I got an email from my local recruiter asking for an interview. Oops. So much for a harmless application. I went to the interview, knowing that this woman decided whether or not Peace Corps was in my future. I’m a big believer in things being “meant to be”. I figured, if she passed me on, then perhaps Peace Corps is something I should be doing. Well, she did.

So I was forced to make a choice. My GRE exam was fast approaching, but the Peace Corps appeared to want me. After much deliberation, I decided Grad School could wait, but that I wanted to take a chance on the experience of a lifetime.  So I canceled my test, and  here I am.

2.       Am I happy with my choice?

Absolutely. Talk to me again in two years, but so far I wouldn’t change it for anything.  This is such an amazing chance to step outside of yourself and just help others, in the most basic sense of the term. It’s incredible to be so immersed in another culture, and to have the ability to affect positive change. I am so glad I took that leap.

3.       How did I/ do I deal with the uncertainty?

Hah. Not well. For anyone who is not familiar with the application process, after you interview Peace Corps nominates you for a region of the world, but tells you to be flexible because things could change. My nomination was for Sub-Saharan Africa, so they weren’t kidding. Basically, the way Peace Corps works is they have a bunch of projects all over the world that require volunteers. Those projects begin at different times during the year, and the trick is to match your skill set to a project scheduled during your preferred departure time. So essentially, when you apply, you agree to serve, and only that. You agree to go wherever they send you, whenever they send you, and to do whatever they need you to do. As a control freak and compulsive planner, this posed a serious problem. But as probably my first step in personal growth relating to Peace Corps, I decided to try and go with the flow. So I ended up here, in a completely different region of the world, doing something completely different that I had originally thought. But I’m so glad I am.

4.       Did I know anyone who was in Peace Corps?

Yes. My friend Katie, who is two years my senior, joined Peace Corps right after college and just finished up teaching English in China. I hadn’t really been able to talk to her before she left on her service, but I definitely contacted her while I was deliberating. Her inside advice really helped.

5.       What has been my favorite “adventure” so far?

Easy. A few weekends ago, the Trainees went to visit a site called Nan Madol. It’s a collection of incredible ruins, believed to be former burial grounds and it was amazing to climb around and soak it all up. I posted photos on Facebook after our trip, but they really don’t do it justice. The structures are huge and intricate, and unfathomable. Google it right now.

6.       What has been the best part so far?

Getting to know my Peace Corps family. The other Trainees in M78 (M stands for Micronesia, and we’re the 78^th group here) are amazing, and I have relished the opportunity to get to know so many people from diverse backgrounds and regions of the country. We all have similar ideals, yet we’re all so different. I love it and them.

7.       What has been the worst part so far?

Being away from home. I have this irrationally fear that all my friends and family will forget about me while I’m here, and I hate the fact that I missing so much. Not the big things, because I get written or called about those things, but the little day-to-day events. Those are the things I miss. But the sacrifice is definitely worth it.

8.       What do I miss from the US?

Driving. FSM imports food, music, movies, etc, so while the quality might be called into question (and the price is usually absurd), those things are readily available. What I miss most is the freedom associated with driving. Peace Corps doesn’t allow us to operate motor vehicles, which is fine, but as a result, I am a slave to the taxi. It’s not too bad, it just limits my movements.

9.       What has been the most unexpected pleasure?

Hm. Breadfruit. It’s one of the most abundant fruits here. It tastes a little like a potato, and can be served in a variety of ways. My favorite is in chip form (sliced thin and fried). I ioki (It’s delicious).

10.   If I had the chance to do it again, would I?

In a heartbeat.

11.   What am I doing over here?

Teaching English! Well, not yet, school starts on the 20^th, but I will be Teaching English. Part of Peace Corps goal is sustainability, so I am co-teaching for my two years, helping to build up the teachers and their skills, so they can continue on after I’ve left.

12.   Are the Micronesians crazy about the Olympics like Americans are?

Not as far as I can tell. The only “live” feed we get here is from New Zealand, so we watch their highlights in bars sometimes. We do get American tv, but it gets here like 2 weeks after the fact. I can’t explain why, so don’t ask me. But pretty soon the Opening Ceremonies will air. I’ll let you know how things change after that. It’s been pretty hard to find Olympics anywhere, my hope is once we get the US feed, it will be easier to watch. We’ll see! The good thing about being so isolated is I have not been able to keep up with Olympic news, so even though it will be old news, it will be exciting and new to us.

13.   Am I moving? Where to and what about my host family?

Yes. On Wednesday I become an official volunteer and I move out to my permanent site. We’ve all been here in Kolonia, the capital, for training since we arrived, but we will now disperse. For security reasons, I cannot disclose on my blog my permanent site location, but I can say that it’s much more rural (which in this setting means jungle). I will be living with a different family at my permanent site and I will stay with them for the duration of my two years. Email me if you want more specifics about my new site.

14.   What do I eat?

Rice. Lots and lots of rice. Also chicken or fish. Canned meat is a big thing here, usually in the Spam variety. The occasional vegetable, and the always abundant breadfruit.

15.   What school supplies do I want sent to me?

I don’t know yet. Once I get to my site I’ll send out a formal request for things I need. Thanks for all the support!

16.   Are my Peace Corps friends leaving?

Yes and no. We have 22 in our group in total. Everyone has gone to their respective islands, but there are 7 staying here on Pohnpei with me, so they are not leaving. We are spreading out, but not separating. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see the rest of my teammates until our Mid Service Training next summer, but by then we’ll have lots of stories to share.

17.   What will happen to Lucky?

Lucky and Kissin (the kitten) will remain with my Training host family. When I come back into Kolonia, I will be able to come visit both of them.

Thanks for reading! Email me more questions if you have them!

With love,

Christy