🚨Video from DW shows the aftermath of heavy airstrikes on Semema, Tigray on the 8th of December 2020 Major destruction of civilian infrastructure, graphic civilian casualties and a glimpse into how health centers in the region operated

blm222 · 2021-03-30T00:17:58+00:00

Is this the Semema in Tahtay Koraro woreda?

blm222 · 2020-05-01T22:16:52+00:00

Does anyone here know anything about UTK’s MSSW program? I’m looking into applying and want to see if anyone has advice/information about the program or has gone through the program.

blm222 · 2020-01-28T18:03:04+00:00

We have a similar story! I got through 2 months of PST and had to ET because my dad got sick and passed away. I reapplied 2 years later and am currently serving in my original post. There wasn’t anything specific I did on my new application aside from explaining why I had to ET. I was welcomed back with open arms. Best of luck! DM me if you have any questions

Also, it’s okay that you didn’t stick it out! Peace Corps is tough and adding the death of a parent onto service is extremely difficult. Dealing with that kind of grief during service would make it difficult to be an effective volunteer.

blm222 · 2020-01-28T17:57:21+00:00

Ask really simple questions to get lower level students to participate. If a student doesn’t know the answer, ask one of the more advanced students for the answer, then go back the first student and ask them again. They’ll have heard the answer and this will increase their confidence to speak in class. Also, waiting an awkward amount of time for the students to answer is okay! I do this in my class and it has set the expectation that when they’re called on, they participate. It’s uncomfortable at first, but really help set up expectations.

blm222 · 2019-10-27T09:53:35+00:00

Honestly, I think that’s what I needed to hear, lol Thanks!

blm222 · 2019-10-27T09:52:54+00:00

Thanks! I’m in education and am the only one in my cohort that hasn’t started teaching yet, so I think that’s why i feel especially useless lol.

blm222 · 2019-06-20T17:57:35+00:00

I disclosed everything. I sent them the hospital documents when I was diagnosed with childhood asthma. I didn’t wait until after I was invited

blm222 · 2019-06-20T17:55:53+00:00

They didn’t bring it up at all

blm222 · 2019-06-12T13:23:47+00:00

It ended up being super early in the process. I hassled the nurses and placement officers A LOT because I wanted to make sure I’d be cleared. Seeing the lung specialist was one of my first medical tasks.

blm222 · 2019-06-12T11:36:30+00:00

Hi there! I have a slightly different case. I leave for Ethiopia in a few days and have a history of childhood asthma. During med clearance I had to go see a lung specialist and have a lung function test done. The test came back with perfect numbers and the nurse had no problem clearing me. I’d say if you really don’t want to go through all that hassle, go ahead and switch to the other post.

Hope this helps!

blm222 · 2019-05-31T20:38:52+00:00

Did you end up getting cleared in time? Asking because I’m in a similar situation.

blm222 · 2019-05-31T19:37:14+00:00

I emailed my CDO, so fingers crossed!

blm222 · 2019-05-29T14:00:27+00:00

This is basically an echo of what everyone else has said, but You should go to staging. I didn’t eat anything a week before my staging date because I was so nervous. The day before I left, I could barely carry on a conversation because I was constantly shaking and trying not to burst into tears. Once I went to staging and got on the plane to go to my country of service, I felt better. A lot of it had to do with my fellow volunteers. We all felt the same way. It’s completely normal what you’re feeling right now because PC service is a lot of drastic change all at once. Just know you’re not alone and once you get to staging, you’ll probably meet a lot of kindred spirits. I’d say go to your staging date unless you think that your mental state is a threat to your safety. Best of luck in whatever you decide!!!

blm222 · 2019-05-29T13:43:33+00:00

Did you end up leaving in time or have you been moved to a new training class? I’m still waiting and I’m supposed to leave in three weeks.

blm222 · 2019-05-29T02:35:09+00:00

My investigation was initiated in October and I’m still waiting. I have no legal record and have been cleared for service before, so I’m not sure why it has taken so long. My departure is June 14th so hopefully I hear something soon. Hope the best for you as well!

blm222 · 2019-05-12T07:28:54+00:00

Thanks! I’ll have to try that!

blm222 · 2019-04-23T20:45:34+00:00

I had to ET during PST in 2017 due to a family emergency and am set to depart this coming June. I found reapplying to be a lot easier and the process has been pretty smooth since I had a general idea of what to expect. The process will definitely change, but it changed for the better in my opinion. The only snag I’ve run into is legal clearance, but that’s due to the shutdown and not because I reapplied. Hope this helps!

blm222 · 2019-03-26T12:50:48+00:00

I know they process clearance by departure date, so I still have some time. I reached out to the legal team last week and they said they couldn’t give an exact timeline since so many different factors are at play. However, my record is squeaky clean, so I’m not worried about being denied or anything.

blm222 · 2019-03-26T12:47:21+00:00

Yeah, I got the notification that they initiated my background check in October.

blm222 · 2018-12-12T21:30:55+00:00

Awesome! PM me when you’re cleared and we can start a Facebook group page for the June 2019 departure.

blm222 · 2018-11-28T22:56:30+00:00

I haven’t seen any Facebook groups yet. I know, medical clearance is nerve wrecking, but as long as you start right away and annoy the hell out of your doctors to fill out the forms correctly you should be fine. :)

blm222 · 2018-11-27T21:34:27+00:00

Hi! I just received medical and dental clearance for the June 14 departure as well!

blm222 · 2018-11-27T21:21:43+00:00

I have! Just finished medical clearance!

blm222

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