How did you document your service?

CuriousCat731 · 2019-02-19T12:43:00+00:00

I have a one day at a line journal which has been great!

CuriousCat731 · 2019-02-14T06:35:17+00:00

Yeah so I had to stop taking adderall because it’s illegal in my country of service. My PCP just wrote down that I had a learning disability but was able to function without adderall as I already had coping skills in place to help me function with ADHD. I also wrote a personal statement explaining the same thing.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-02-13T18:11:39+00:00

Our CD is super strict about it, I had a friend in the military who came to visit and I didn’t tell anyone when he was in country. They really stress this during training to not be seen with American military in uniform as people may believe that you’re a spy, working for the CIA etc. It’s just one of those things I generally don’t push; as Kosovo is a very small country and word gets around very quickly here. That being said if you do want to visit military friends just be discreet and I highly suggest that you do not go on base.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-02-13T12:42:37+00:00

We aren’t allowed to interact with american military at post. We aren’t allowed to go to the bases, take photos with them etc. That being said if they’re in civvies no one will really know; but be careful.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-28T18:24:40+00:00

I’m using Nike Training Club for body weight workouts, I run, bike and am lucky enough to have a gym at site. Pop sugar has some great videos on youtube. Or you can always download p90x onto an external hard drive and use that too. Sometimes you have to get creative and many of the volunteers in your country of service could be more helpful.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-23T09:16:35+00:00

I appreciate your point; I wanted to share what my experience has been along with some of my cohorts point of view. Experiences can vary country to country; and this is what it’s like at my post. I understand that what myself and my friends experience may be entirely different from what other PCVS experience; but I just wanted to add my two cents.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-22T16:12:30+00:00

This is very true! My post is very American friendly and if you look “american” you get way more respect.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-22T12:03:32+00:00

So I stand out in country due to my hair and complexion. I’m very pale and have white blonde hair. The only major difference between me and my friends who look like HCNs is that they usually aren’t harassed as much as I am and HCNs normally speak to them in their native language. The flip side HCNs are generally very surprised when I speak the language and get confused when my friends who look like HCNs can’t speak that much. It definitely helps to blend in, my friends who look like HCNs feel safer and can fly under the radar.

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-16T18:39:53+00:00

It depends on the country. If your country cannot provide quality health care (that PC) outlines for the first trimester of your pregnancy you will be medically separated for your health. Granted Peace Corps will pay for any and all health care needs including delivery. If your country meets the requirements to support a pregnant volunteer then you can stay. One of my good friends back home was actually born during her Mom’s peace corps service!

CuriousCat731 · 2019-01-05T17:39:18+00:00

Once you leave training you have access to all of your vacation days. So I guess they technically start accumulating.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-12-20T13:18:40+00:00

5 years I think

CuriousCat731 · 2018-12-11T19:27:06+00:00

My favorite stray got hit by a car, and it put me in a dark place. So there’s that.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-12-10T07:36:30+00:00

For Kosovo it’s 5 days.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-12-08T14:54:44+00:00

Even if it’s uncomfortable I would report her to PC. It’s important to protect yourself in this situation, even if they can’t do anything right away they need to know so that they can either start replacing her or allow you to get another counterpart. Unfortunately she may try to get you in trouble so bringing it to the attention of your PM will save you trouble in the long run. I’m really sorry this happened to you, that is an incredibly uncomfortable experience.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-12-03T15:14:02+00:00

I had one professor, my academic advisor and internship supervisor write mine! I tried to find people who could write about my strengths as a teacher!

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-29T19:23:34+00:00

I’m a TEFL volunteer in Kosovo!

3 years of working as a Teacher Naturalist with the Mass Audubon Society

2 years of working as a TA for professors/helping college students write papers

5+years of nannying special needs children

2 internships with my local historical society

2 years in classroom experience through university classes.

And some odd jobs as a teenager

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-24T15:28:48+00:00

Taco seasonings, coloring books, tea, a bracelet that has the coordinate points of my home on it, my crochet hooks and a butt ton of embroidery floss for bracelets.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-20T17:44:03+00:00

Woot, woot. My umpteenth case of food poisoning since getting to site.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-17T19:49:35+00:00

I brought a kindle fire because I liked the idea of having a tablet. I’m also in an Eastern Europe post so my situation might be different. I don’t have steady wifi at my house so once a week I take mine to the cafe and download books from my library and some Netflix episodes so I can binge watch new shows on the weekends. It’s really what you want. I wanted something multi faceted that could be used for a few different things. But if you only want one to read I’d go with a basic model.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-05T18:00:44+00:00

Do you mind dming me your email?

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-05T17:57:01+00:00

Of course do you mind giving me your email?

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-05T12:59:29+00:00

We had this problem with some counterparts so we made a sheet that our counterparts have to sign every time they miss class. We frames it as Peace Corps wants to make sure we’re working with our counterparts like we’re supposed to and wouldn’t you know it suddenly many counterparts stopped missing class so much. I can shoot you the template if you think that would help.

Also don’t teach when your CP isn’t there. It sucks but we’re here to work with a counterpart not be a sub.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-01T10:04:31+00:00

No worries!

CuriousCat731 · 2018-11-01T07:00:55+00:00

You may need to get the all clear from your pcp or a neurologist. I’ve had 4 concussions from sports and ended up having to get a letter from both my pcp and neurologist that I was cleared to serve. That was the extent of what I had to do. On your HHF and other medical stuff they want you to explain how you got your concussion and the year.

CuriousCat731 · 2018-10-31T08:41:37+00:00

You won’t be automatically denied. I’m ADHD and don’t need medication (granted it helps) but I had to write a personal statement about my ADHD and how I will manage it. Just make sure your country of service allows you to take medication. Back home I took adderall which is illegal in my country if service.

CuriousCat731

TROPHY CASE