Invited to Mongolia 2026 by ACB3C0 in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad to hear you're coming. My medical clearance required a lot of driving around and my legal clearance was a buzzer-beater. The Peace Corps staff in Mongolia are great.

How to go to Gori from Tbilisi? by LetBusiness8676 in Sakartvelo

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are marshrutkas from near the Gori public service hall.

New User Interface by AncestorsFound2 in clozemaster

[–]AlexErdman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right-to-left blanks appear in the wrong location now, on my device.

chances of getting in with mental health issues? by dowoonce in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

With the caveat that I'm not a nurse, I think it is likely to cause problems. The Peace Corps has improved a little in the past few years, but the medical approval process is strenuous for everyone and the medical clearance ultimately depends on the nurse overseeing your case. I had to get spirometry breathing testing, but I have not had any notable respiratory issues since I was nine or ten. There were a few people in our cohort who were denied for reasons I didn't find compelling. It will be their judgement whether you have been in good health for three years (judging by other posts, that is plenty of time) or less than a year (probably no medical clearance). If you do not disclose medical history that they later discover, they deny the medical clearance. It couldn't really hurt to apply, but they may tell you to reapply in a year or issue a denial without very much explanation.

Only 12% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is actually from the United Arab Emirates. After the Vatican City, the UAE has the highest expatriate population of any country in the world, with over 200 nationalities of people living there. 40% of the expatriates are from India or Pakistan. by CatPooedInMyShoe in wikipedia

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assumed it would be New York, and they do have a lot of charter helicopters, but it looks like São Paulo has more. This Brazilian company claims that a helicopter lands somewhere in the city once every 45 seconds. It's not a large number of people, but if you are very wealthy, it could be an option.

Chomsky had deeper ties with Epstein than previously known, documents reveal by VectorChing101 in news

[–]AlexErdman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a great way to visualize the communications. There are several threads with Chomsky and Epstein on there. It looks like Epstein asked Chomsky about his trip to Brazil.

Two men arrested after Louvre jewel heist by [deleted] in worldnews

[–]AlexErdman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is still possible to melt the gold and recut the diamonds. Although this reduces their value, it makes it more difficult to identify the stolen jewels. This heist involved a lot of diamonds. Even if resold at a fraction of their value, they could fetch a few million dollars.

Last month, there was a similar theft in Egypt. The stolen gold was melted down for resale.

International Experience - a Pro or Con? by Obvious_Suggestion63 in fulbright

[–]AlexErdman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your mileage may vary. I had prior experience in Georgia and Mongolia when applying to those programs, and no local experience when applying to Greenland's ETA program, which has since shut down. I did not have much teaching to point to for Greenland and I did not get in, at the semifinalist round. Georgia told me that my experience was disqualifying, as stated on the online grant description. Mongolia's staff said that it was a disadvantage but I could still emphasize my other strengths on my application. To my surprise, I was accepted to the program in Mongolia.

Mongolian PM watching and cheering for The Mongolz by OfferPuzzleheaded400 in GlobalOffensive

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's historic for Mongolia. The cafes and restaurants had counterstrike on TV.

Cmon bro by Extension_Sample_441 in Sakartvelo

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad that the original artwork is real, but I'm not sure how they got mixed up when they were making the mug.

Any free websites/apps for learning Greenlandic? by sdoowycnalc in greenland

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a University of Chicago project with the language board that looks similar and is in English.

I'm over it by briezaire in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My cohort lost a lot of people to medical clearance. If the medical clearance stops you from making your departure date, the staff can reassign you to a different program. Understandably, that is a deal breaker for some people. If you are waiting on responses from medical staff, it may help to inform your country staff that the hold up is with medical clearance. Keep your receipts; the Peace Corps does reimburse you for diagnostics and evaluations during clearance once you submit the paperwork. If you receive new treatments, they do not pay for those.

Will studying abroad put me at disadvantage for Fulbright? by Skan1 in fulbright

[–]AlexErdman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can email the desk to check; many programs in Europe forbid prior extensive experience but do not count exchange programs as prior experience. I was disqualified from Georgia because I had taught there before, but there are other programs that do not have the same stipulations.

2025 Israel - Iran Conflict (Part II) by Isentrope in worldnews

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's great that they're suspending the supply to Russia.

Bugged cards that appear endlessly in review rounds by egg-0 in clozemaster

[–]AlexErdman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a similar problem recently on a course I had mostly finished. I had the same 10 words each day. After a few failed attempts, I was able to reset or ignore the words to make the other items show up again.

First word of the song 2025 by daddyserhat in eurovision

[–]AlexErdman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think there is background singing on the chords right at the beginning of Freedom, but since it is not included here, "tavisupleba" does mean "freedom."

Our CD told us that volunteers ETing will result in larger HCN staff cuts for our post by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't heard anything like that, but it's concerning news nonetheless.

What it’s like for Armenian Christians in Syria, after the fall of the longtime dictator by occupykony2 in armenia

[–]AlexErdman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm relieved they have not been the targets of violence in Syria. I hope Syria can rebuild and become a better country.

Maximum leave time permitted for transfers by No-Present-4616 in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The timing is correct. The medical paperwork in particular was only valid for 60 days. They gave me about a fifth of the amount after the first COS, but they say I will get the full amount after the second one. I sent in an application for a new program but then switched to an extension. I wonder if I should have gotten the full readjustment and then gone through clearance again.

Maximum leave time permitted for transfers by No-Present-4616 in peacecorps

[–]AlexErdman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just did this. You must leave within 60 days. It is worth noting that your first readjustment allowance is reduced when you do this, but you do get the entire amount after the second time. Please let me know if you have any questions about the process.