This week I started to get nervous. What the heck am I doing? Can I stick it out for 2 years, 9 weeks? Is this really what I want to do? I will probably struggle with these questions until the day I return so maybe it's a good time to remind myself why I'm doing this. My aspiration statement talks about some of my intentions but the Blue Scholars song "Motion Movement" gets at the emotion (and is the source of my blog title). Some highlighted lyrics:
Each individual reach out, speak to teach the invisible how to be invincible
Motion, movement
Architects, blueprints
Showing, grooving
Teachers, students
Reaching for truth in a self-revolution
The roof is on fire, what's your solution?
I need to kick-start my life and I think PC will do that.
Showing posts with label Pre-departure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-departure. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Aspirations
I finally finished my aspiration statement and sent it off. Here are some highlights.
Q: What professional attributes do you plan to use, and what aspirations do you hope to fulfill, during your Peace Corps service?
A: One of the primary reasons I am pursuing Peace Corps service is to test the language and culture theories of my graduate school training. At [university] I combined anthropology, speech communication and TESOL courses to gain a theoretical understanding of language and culture. I have been away from those concepts for several years and see the Peace Corps as a challenging and fascinating mode of exploring those theories but in an immediate and tangible way: working and living in a different culture, being reliant upon myself and my abilities, and threading and sharing perspectives within a new environment and language. In the process, I plan to use my sincerity, respectfulness, commitment, humor, patience, flexibility and enthusiasm in assisting the teachers and students of my community in our quest to learn and teach English communication. Additionally, I look forward to experiencing the personal growth and friendship inherent in a 27-month cultural and educational exchange. It should be noted that sustainable change in classroom teaching methods certainly is one of my goals but I will feel both lucky and honored if I am able to implement it.
Q: What skills and knowledge do you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project?
A: While in pre-service training, I hope to make many linguistic and cultural mistakes. I’d like to experience the frustration and embarrassment of those mistakes while with my cohort and within the relative cocoon of training. I know that language is key to opening cultural and professional doors/dialogue though I hope my humility and respectful nature will buy me some time and forgiveness while I learn my way around the language and my community. Also I am eager to learn interesting and motivating communicative teaching methods that do not require extensive technology or materials.
Q: How do you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends?
A: When asked what I will do after Peace Corps service, I happily reply that I have no idea. I look forward to the ways in which I will stretch and grow, personally and professionally, as a result of my volunteer work in an unfamiliar culture over 27 months. I may find that I enjoy being at the front of the classroom again or I may find that a non-teaching job in higher education is the best fit. Regardless, I know that I will make a far more informed choice, and be a more compassionate American and world citizen, due to my service.
Q: What professional attributes do you plan to use, and what aspirations do you hope to fulfill, during your Peace Corps service?
A: One of the primary reasons I am pursuing Peace Corps service is to test the language and culture theories of my graduate school training. At [university] I combined anthropology, speech communication and TESOL courses to gain a theoretical understanding of language and culture. I have been away from those concepts for several years and see the Peace Corps as a challenging and fascinating mode of exploring those theories but in an immediate and tangible way: working and living in a different culture, being reliant upon myself and my abilities, and threading and sharing perspectives within a new environment and language. In the process, I plan to use my sincerity, respectfulness, commitment, humor, patience, flexibility and enthusiasm in assisting the teachers and students of my community in our quest to learn and teach English communication. Additionally, I look forward to experiencing the personal growth and friendship inherent in a 27-month cultural and educational exchange. It should be noted that sustainable change in classroom teaching methods certainly is one of my goals but I will feel both lucky and honored if I am able to implement it.
Q: What skills and knowledge do you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project?
A: While in pre-service training, I hope to make many linguistic and cultural mistakes. I’d like to experience the frustration and embarrassment of those mistakes while with my cohort and within the relative cocoon of training. I know that language is key to opening cultural and professional doors/dialogue though I hope my humility and respectful nature will buy me some time and forgiveness while I learn my way around the language and my community. Also I am eager to learn interesting and motivating communicative teaching methods that do not require extensive technology or materials.
Q: How do you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends?
A: When asked what I will do after Peace Corps service, I happily reply that I have no idea. I look forward to the ways in which I will stretch and grow, personally and professionally, as a result of my volunteer work in an unfamiliar culture over 27 months. I may find that I enjoy being at the front of the classroom again or I may find that a non-teaching job in higher education is the best fit. Regardless, I know that I will make a far more informed choice, and be a more compassionate American and world citizen, due to my service.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Lousy Smarch
Oi. March is killing me. Work has been so busy and I have been so stressed that this week I realized I have had an on again/off again cold since December. DECEMBER. I do not like to be sick and do not look forward to being sick in an unfamiliar country.
Poor me.
FedEx confirms that my dental forms were delivered to Peace Corps this morning. I think it will be an easy clearance because my teeth cleaning was a smashing success. Really! It was incredibly easy. I feel very lucky to have healthy teeth and good dental insurance.
Yay me.
Working on my aspiration statement (it was due a couple of weeks ago!) and will post it when I am finished.
Poor me.
FedEx confirms that my dental forms were delivered to Peace Corps this morning. I think it will be an easy clearance because my teeth cleaning was a smashing success. Really! It was incredibly easy. I feel very lucky to have healthy teeth and good dental insurance.
Yay me.
Working on my aspiration statement (it was due a couple of weeks ago!) and will post it when I am finished.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Excitement and a Timeline
It is not possible to overstate my excitement. I just got an email from someone (hi Stephanie!) who is also going to Azerbaijan. Aiii! That makes it real. Yay!
Lots of exclamation points!
And lots of organizing to do. Over the years I've been pretty good about getting rid of stuff but now realize just how much stuff I still have. Anyone want a tiny ceramic teapot?
This wouldn't be a Peace Corps blog without a timeline. It's kinda like the '25 Random Things About Me' virus going through Facebook. Here's my application timeline:
During college: think briefly about Peace Corps but dismiss it due to fear
Spring 2006: wonder what to do with my life; see Peace Corps ad on Idealist.org
Summer 2006: ponder the possibility and meet with returned volunteers
Autumn 2006: application and interview
2007: nomination for TEFL in South Pacific; medical and dental clearance; legal hold (due to financial debt)
Most of 2008: deactivation. Consider giving up and switching careers instead. Pay off majority of financial debt.
December 31, 2008: request reactivation.
January 2009: nomination for TEFL in Central Asia/Caucuses
February 2009: invitation to Azerbaijan.
March 2009: dental appointment (dental clearance only good for one year).
This has been a long process and, as such, I've had time to consider many aspects to doing Peace Corps volunteer work at the not-so-young-anymore age of 36. It's certainly an unusual choice and there are consequences but it's exactly what I should be doing right now.
Lots of exclamation points!
And lots of organizing to do. Over the years I've been pretty good about getting rid of stuff but now realize just how much stuff I still have. Anyone want a tiny ceramic teapot?
This wouldn't be a Peace Corps blog without a timeline. It's kinda like the '25 Random Things About Me' virus going through Facebook. Here's my application timeline:
During college: think briefly about Peace Corps but dismiss it due to fear
Spring 2006: wonder what to do with my life; see Peace Corps ad on Idealist.org
Summer 2006: ponder the possibility and meet with returned volunteers
Autumn 2006: application and interview
2007: nomination for TEFL in South Pacific; medical and dental clearance; legal hold (due to financial debt)
Most of 2008: deactivation. Consider giving up and switching careers instead. Pay off majority of financial debt.
December 31, 2008: request reactivation.
January 2009: nomination for TEFL in Central Asia/Caucuses
February 2009: invitation to Azerbaijan.
March 2009: dental appointment (dental clearance only good for one year).
This has been a long process and, as such, I've had time to consider many aspects to doing Peace Corps volunteer work at the not-so-young-anymore age of 36. It's certainly an unusual choice and there are consequences but it's exactly what I should be doing right now.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Azerbaijan!
I am going to Azerbaijan to co-teach English to children ages 7-16. Staging is at the end of September and then pre-service training runs through the beginning of December. My actual service will be December 2009-December 2011.
I am thoroughly excited and definitely nervous!
This blog is written by a couple currently serving in Azerbaijan: http://bakutothefuture.blogspot.com/
Azerbaijan on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=azerbaijan&m=text
and
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=azerbaijan
I am thoroughly excited and definitely nervous!
This blog is written by a couple currently serving in Azerbaijan: http://bakutothefuture.blogspot.com/
Azerbaijan on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=azerbaijan&m=text
and
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=azerbaijan
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Invitation!
This morning I received a lovely surprise in my email..."your application status has been updated." WOOHOO! Unfortunately my toolkit doesn't tell me where I am going; for that, I must wait for the mail to arrive. Archaic! The package was sent from DC yesterday so I hope it will arrive by Saturday. I am so anxious to know where I am going! And when!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
All I Need Is A Little Patience
I am doing my best to be patient while I wait for my invitation. I keep worrying (because I'm good at it!) that something will go wrong and I'll be deferred to Jan 2010. Aiigh! It is ironic to me that I must learn to be patient with the large bureaucracy of Peace Corps when I work as a semi-bureaucrat. We get what we give...
These letters are interesting reads. They are remarks from current/retired US Foreign Service Officers on how their PC experience relates to their FSO experience.
http://afsa.org/fsj/oct08/fromThe.pdf
http://afsa.org/fsj/nov08/fromThe.pdf
These letters are interesting reads. They are remarks from current/retired US Foreign Service Officers on how their PC experience relates to their FSO experience.
http://afsa.org/fsj/oct08/fromThe.pdf
http://afsa.org/fsj/nov08/fromThe.pdf
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Nomination!
After much thought and internal hand-wringing, I re-activated my Peace Corps application. I had made an application to WorldTeach's Bangladesh program and was very excited about it but ultimately decided that I needed something different and somehow bigger. It looks like I'll get what I asked for because I've been nominated to Central Asia/English Teacher Training/September 2009. These are the possible countries if my nomination does not change:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Turkmenistan
A woman told me she had the same nomination and was sent to the Kyrgyz Republic/Kyrgyzstan. According to the PC site, I'm in for a bit of culture shock (and cold winters! Why did I ask to switch from the South Pacific to Eastern Europe/Central Asia??)
I'm excited :)
Wikipedia entry on Kyrgyzstan (the EU has banned KR airlines from flying in their airspace due to low safety standards. Umm...)
PC photo gallery of Kyrgyz Republic
Flickr search of Kyrgyzstan (look for the curious squirrel! them's some ears!)
Flickr search of Kyrgyz Republic
I still need to go through dental clearance (expires after one year) and can't see my dentist until March. Tom Petty was right - the waiting IS the hardest part. I know that anything can happen between now and invitation and that even after invitation the destination can change. Regardless, I am going to start learning Russian. Gives me something useful to do during the long wait!
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Turkmenistan
A woman told me she had the same nomination and was sent to the Kyrgyz Republic/Kyrgyzstan. According to the PC site, I'm in for a bit of culture shock (and cold winters! Why did I ask to switch from the South Pacific to Eastern Europe/Central Asia??)
I'm excited :)
Wikipedia entry on Kyrgyzstan (the EU has banned KR airlines from flying in their airspace due to low safety standards. Umm...)
PC photo gallery of Kyrgyz Republic
Flickr search of Kyrgyzstan (look for the curious squirrel! them's some ears!)
Flickr search of Kyrgyz Republic
I still need to go through dental clearance (expires after one year) and can't see my dentist until March. Tom Petty was right - the waiting IS the hardest part. I know that anything can happen between now and invitation and that even after invitation the destination can change. Regardless, I am going to start learning Russian. Gives me something useful to do during the long wait!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Peace Corps cutbacks
The Washington Post reports that the Peace Corps has been asked to cut its budget by 15% which will result in 400 less positions in the coming year. I think I'll be safe but I've been researching alternatives just in case. I'm actually rather interested in WorldTeach's Access Academy position in Bangladesh.
Washington Post article If the link is broken, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/ and search for 'Peace Corps to pare ranks of volunteers'
Washington Post article If the link is broken, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/ and search for 'Peace Corps to pare ranks of volunteers'
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Inactive status
I'm officially 'inactive' with Peace Corps until I show them that I've taken care of my financial obligations and/or have a plan to take care of them while I'm away. I am cautiously optimistic that, very soon, I'll be able to show PC that I'm financially clear. YAY!
Right now the Pacific Islands desk has my application but I think I'll get thrown back into the mix when I become active again. Often I am asked, "where do you want to go?" And my answer is, "I haven't been anywhere that Peace Corps goes so it's all new and therefore ok by me!"
As soon as I said it, I realized it was true. Any region/country is fine as long as I'll be at a teacher's college and training English teachers. I've stayed firm on the job description and flexible on the location so I think PC is happy.
PCV blog I like: http://onerevolution.net/
Right now the Pacific Islands desk has my application but I think I'll get thrown back into the mix when I become active again. Often I am asked, "where do you want to go?" And my answer is, "I haven't been anywhere that Peace Corps goes so it's all new and therefore ok by me!"
As soon as I said it, I realized it was true. Any region/country is fine as long as I'll be at a teacher's college and training English teachers. I've stayed firm on the job description and flexible on the location so I think PC is happy.
PCV blog I like: http://onerevolution.net/
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Peace Corps criticism
Interesting article written by a former Cameroon country director on the failed promises of the Peace Corps. I agree with him that sending untrained recent college graduates is a poor idea and I applaud PC's recent efforts to heavily recruit retirees. Also I agree with him about the need to measure success. 50 years and no assessment? That's disappointing.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4295&page=0
[If the link doesn't work, go to foreignpolicy.com and search for 'Think Again: The Peace Corps' by Robert L. Strauss]
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4295&page=0
[If the link doesn't work, go to foreignpolicy.com and search for 'Think Again: The Peace Corps' by Robert L. Strauss]
Monday, May 12, 2008
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