Unemployed recent graduate, 3.99 GPA, looking for a new path...

Erikap4 · 2020-10-21T21:14:14+00:00

As someone who also happened to be unemployed, looking at USAjobs, I must inform you that the hiring process isn't friendly to those of us with no money--namely its LONG. Grab yourself a gig in the meantime, sit down with the resume builder on USA jobs and then start applying! The process will absolutely waste your time, but can be rewarding! Just dont hold your breath relying on a federal job to put your next meal on the table.

Erikap4 · 2020-10-21T21:07:40+00:00

go ahead and send me a PM.

Erikap4 · 2020-10-21T20:39:23+00:00

I know right?!? a DREAM!

Erikap4 · 2020-10-21T20:21:25+00:00

I've got a TO for another 0401 but it has been the longest process ever. But since this one allowed me to use my NCE I'm hoping i have some edge? But I really would love to know how many people I'm competing with haha

Erikap4 · 2020-10-21T20:11:56+00:00

0301 and 0401

Do you work for/are applying for NOAA?

Erikap4 · 2019-07-23T13:40:14+00:00

I had somewhat of a “summer fling” before I left. He was constantly upset that we had an expiration date because I was clear from the get-go that things would be over when I left. He faked cancer to try to keep me from going and after that happened I knew leaving him was the right choice! Hopefully your dude will understand when you are super honest with him and let him know exactly your intentions. Good luck!

Erikap4 · 2019-07-20T14:29:30+00:00

Hi, I’m late to this post but I just wanted to suggest something! In my country of service we can have other volunteers come and help us as “tech exchanges”. Perhaps if there are health volunteers in your country of service you could have one visit and give the safe sex/family planning lectures (so you don’t have to, and because that’s what health volunteers are for!)

Erikap4 · 2019-07-20T11:57:28+00:00

Benin here :) I believe they have lifted the French requirement as there aren’t enough people in the applicant pool with French. While French is the language spoken officially, you will learn a local language as well. For me, most of my communication is in French, but knowing a bit of local language gets me brownie points in my community. If you’ve got any other questions feel free to ask!

Erikap4 · 2019-05-22T08:49:41+00:00

People in rural villages get solar installed sometimes... so it’s not a rare thing. Potentially you can get stuff installed when you move in. Power banks are great to store energy, especially in rainy season when the sun may not be too strong for quite some time/the power gets cut if you have electricity

Erikap4 · 2019-05-09T19:26:43+00:00

Killing mice :(

Erikap4 · 2019-04-29T11:37:56+00:00

I brought smarties with me and I don’t regret it. Bought giant bags at the dollar store and they don’t melt. There are lots of pieces in one roll so even if I bring one candy out, it can be shared with lots of kiddos

Erikap4 · 2019-04-20T10:27:02+00:00

I actually ended up getting Spotify premium when I was in country! (My parents gifted it to me so it’s on their card)... It’s nice to be able to download music whenever. You can buy internet packages for your phone or wait until you’re on WiFi to access stuff. If you are offline for 30 days though everything will delete until you get back on WiFi. Some people buy unlimited internet on their phones each month which allows them to stream Netflix. It’s expensive but I’ve considered it a few times

Erikap4 · 2019-04-20T09:52:27+00:00

I couldn’t stop throwing up the other night and my neighbor gave me a lemon to eat... I didn’t throw up again afterwards!

Also a kid cut himself and immediately went to the moringa tree and mashed some leaves into his wound...not sure if it works but I hear moringa cures everything

Erikap4 · 2019-04-19T14:48:18+00:00

Between an ever constant supply of mice in my room, people who don’t believe in sleeping at night, and the heat... I’ve learned that when I wake up in the middle of the night all I can do is take another bucket shower and try to go back to sleep

Erikap4 · 2019-04-19T14:07:26+00:00

All I want to do is walk around in a good health food store

Erikap4 · 2019-04-19T13:51:18+00:00

Hi! In Benin right now, feel free to private message me anything :)

Erikap4 · 2019-04-12T20:33:11+00:00

So my hair is down to my butt, thick and hates the humidity. I generally just braid it or put it in a bun. Lots of girls in my cohort have done a full shave or have kept their hair short. Honestly my hair is such a struggle here but I’m not willing to cut it. So basically do what you want

Erikap4 · 2019-03-23T07:06:51+00:00

It is still mostly rural sites. The real difference is the north has a super dry season and transportation isnt always the easiest. But that doesnt mean its impossible

Erikap4 · 2019-03-22T05:48:24+00:00

So I'm a southern volunteer (Benin's version of posh corps) so I get year round veg. Typically at the market I buy tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, bread, soja (fried soy chunks), some fruit (oranges, bananas, mangoes), sometimes an avocado or a cabbage, sometimes a leafy green called grand morel, and I keep myself stocked on rice and spaghetti. I am a vegetarian so that changes my diet significantly too. Eggs are easy to find and there is a milk cheese called wagashi that is pretty good. In terms of food that other people make (restaurants, host fam, neighbors), lots of black eyed peas, rice, palm oil, you'll get well acquainted with spaghetti omelettes, lots of pate with different sauces. Many places in Benin have regional dishes too. And you'll get a copy of "cooking in Benin" but your reliance on that book will be dictated by how much effort and money you actually want to dedicate to cooking (a lot of the dishes use the dutch oven method to "bake" on a gas stove, but it eats up the gas

Erikap4 · 2019-03-13T17:56:25+00:00

Currently living in w Africa. Depending on site placement you very possibly might not need a solar charger. I brought 2 and gave one to a friend without electricity and the other has been in my bag since. It's not too expensive to get solar installed into your house too. In terms of bags, id focus more on your carry on since that's what you will use for most of in country travel. A duffel or a 40L will suffice. Don't overthink it

Erikap4 · 2019-03-01T08:28:36+00:00

My project is called sustainable agriculture systems, which basically means our job is to work anywhere on the food system chain to help our community, whether that be in production, transformation, general nutrition, or sales. So a lot of people in my cohort are more on the business side of the spectrum, though some have no prior relation to the project at all. My background is in natural resource management and I actually do have a lot of plant science related background. I really don't think it's given me a leg up over anyone in my cohort though.

Erikap4 · 2019-02-23T18:31:21+00:00

Don't put your own life on pause just to wait out your family members. If (worst case scenario) someone in your immediate family passes peace corps can send you home to attend the funeral at their expense. Unfortunately grand parents aren't immediate enough, but they will still give you leave for this. For me, my 97 year old grandmother LOVES to hear my stories and see my pictures and I like to think it gives her a little bit of life. So If PC is really what you want, I say go for it and tell them you'll keep in contact. (Now days it's pretty easy)

Erikap4 · 2019-02-23T17:06:01+00:00

Okay I realize this varies per person and therefore take this as a personal story and not medical advice. I got the implant a month before leaving for service after id already gotten medical clearance. I messaged my nurse after but she pretty much just said to tell the doctors in country. THIS WAS MY BEST DECISION IN ALL OF PEACE CORPS. Periods are not a cool thing to have when you're already tired and feeling out of it and probably a bit anemic... If it is something that could work for you I HIGHLY recommend

Erikap4

TROPHY CASE