It can be a process to be invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Here is a quick timeline of my experience - from applying to boarding the plane.
I feel like I have been in the application process for the Peace Corps FOREVER. Funny how slowly time goes when you're waiting to hear if your dream job accepted you. So, for every future Peace Corps Volunteer panicking about the (3 or 4) month long gap between interview and response, don't. Here is the timeline for my Peace Corps pre-departure journey, from application to the plane taking off.
Application Submitted: April 16th, 2018
It's funny - I had to double check this date when I saw it on my application portal timeline. I could have SWORN that I applied in January. I had been telling people I applied in January. While I was racking my brain trying to figure out why I thought January instead of April, I think I've come to a conclusion: I had been picturing snow outside. Fun fact, in April of 2018, we had LOTS of snow. Mystery solved. Sorry everyone I told that I applied in January, apparently it was just a snowy April day.
Application Under Review: April 25th, 2018
Let the panic begin.
Interview: June 6th, 2018
I actually saw the email that I had been invited to an interview after the deadline to sign up for an interview had passed. I had just finally returned into cell phone service after spending ten days in the beautiful and rainy Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Apparently, I had three business days to sign up for an interview slot after I had received the email. When I finally had WiFi again and saw the email, it was five days later - and the interviewer appeared to not have slots until 2020. PANIC ensued. I emailed back a response about how I had been camping and out of cell phone service for over a week, comforting myself only by the assumption that people who leave cell service for extended camping trips are exactly the type of people that the Peace Corps wants - right?? I received a quick email response that she had reset her interview slots and could fit me in. Sigh of relief.
Invitation: August 7th, 2018
After my interview where I felt I had done a mediocre job (at best) communicating how much I wanted to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, my interviewer told me to spend some time thinking about whether I'd accept an Invitation if it came my way. I received the email Invitation on my way home from work, and yelped loudly on a public bus. After re-reading the email, I excitedly called my Mom (obviously) and spent the rest of the bus ride bothering other passengers by calling family members, grinning from ear to ear, and throwing my fist in the air. It was probably a ridiculous sight to see.
Medical Clearance: Unofficial clearance on September 17th and Official Clearance on November 1st.
To spare you the details, medical clearance consisted of me submitting a record of every significant time I'd been to the Doctor's office, undergoing a bunch of different blood tests, and working with a very helpful Peace Corps nurse. I also had Lasik in August, which requires 3 months post-op before they give me final medical clearance. Because she was so incredibly kind to me, my Peace Corps nurse gave me a "conditional clearance" or an unofficial clearance in mid-September so I could start planning on the departure in January. That meant I could think about when would be the best time to quit my job, start looking for someone to take over my lease, etc. I was very thankful for that extra time. Because my eyes healed wonderfully, I received official clearance after my final Lasik check-up.
Legal Clearance: September 17th
I actually got my legal clearance on the same day as my conditional medical clearance, so that was a great day. My friends had been joking that my legal clearance might take longer because I'm "too clean"... without even a speeding ticket, my legal clearance took about a month. I was very thankful for that.
Departure!! January 3rd, 2019
After legal and medical clearance, I can finally say with certainty that I am leaving to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand on January 3rd.
It was a long process, but it was worth it. My investment made them able to determine that I am in fact a good candidate to be a Volunteer, and I appreciate the thoroughness. I'm really ready for the waiting to be over and to get on that plane!!
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