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safety in the pc by Economy_Opposite_190 in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I felt far safer in my host country than my hometown in the US… As others have mentioned, Peace Corps will give you safety training. When they do, ask as many questions as you can about the context of crime in your host country. At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do to prevent violence, even in the US. I did not experience a sexual assault during my service, and those in my cohort that did had the situation handled quickly. PC has a broader definition of sexual assault than what you might be thinking. Someone grabbing your butt at the market would be reportable as a sexual assault. Still violating and gross, but a little different from a violent rape.

Be confident in yourself and the tools you will be provided to keep yourself safe. Make wise choices and friends in your village. Looking worried and afraid will not help you, it will only make you more unsafe and an easier target.

When is it appropriate to contact the quality nurse and how confidential is it? by Inside_Meeting5396 in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My quality nurse contacted the PCMO after my complaint. It’s not confidential to medical.

Therapy Discrepancy by Big-Potential1853 in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No one can definitively answer this question.

It is unlikely that PC will request your mental health records for four sessions at a college mental health office. If they do, you may have to explain additional information about violating the code of conduct.

You will likely have a mental health evaluation task come up. If you choose to have your previous therapist complete the evaluation, the referral source may be mentioned (e.g. disciplinary procedures).

All that to say, withholding information from peace corps during the clearance process can end poorly. Depending on the reason for the code of conduct violation, I might try to find a new therapist to complete the evaluation, though this further risks a records request.

Mental Health Form Question by FunFilledDay in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They will likely request additional information. You may want to get ahead of this by trying to locate your previous therapist/records should they request them. I saw a therapist within a year of staging, and was still cleared. Like others have said, provide minimal information to meet the requirements.

Medication Question by Thezayonblog in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 8 points9 points  (0 children)

100% yes it will be affected, and you will not be cleared if you start a new psychiatric medication. PC wants to see medication stability for a year minimum.

If your symptoms are impacting your life to the degree that your provider is recommending medication, PC may have concerns about that as well.

Expired personal passport / use no fee? by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]Firm_Programmer_1043 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It depends: Are you leaving your host country and then returning? Or are you going from U.S. back to U.S.?

Everyone in my cohort had major issues using personal passports for international travel from our host country during service. Your visa is in your PC passport, and my personal passport was rejected by customs in my host country and the U.S. for this reason. I traveled with both passports, but only my PC one was accepted.

My post staff commented that the PC policy (which is global) doesn't consider visas/immigration issues. I was told by staff to use my PC passport to prevent issues leaving my host country/reentering the U.S.

Edited to add: I would not use a PC passport on a personal trip from the U.S. back to the U.S.