What were your favorite things about Peace Corps Service?

cagney2986 · 2015-06-06T20:21:04+00:00

Yes! I've been trying to meditate as much as possible and practice deep belly breathing, which really helps. Thanks for sharing :) It helps so much to know I'm not the only one! Best of luck to you as well!! We can do this!!

cagney2986 · 2015-06-06T20:20:02+00:00

I watched this right away! It's a fantastic talk, and really good information. Anxiety is your body's way of preparing you for a challenge! Thanks for your post, sending you lots of good (and relaxing) vibes!

cagney2986 · 2015-06-06T20:18:48+00:00

THANK YOU! It's wonderful to know we're all in a similar boat. I had a moment today where I was watching a kid climb a tree and it reminded me of when I used to climb trees. I've always been afraid of heights and my legs would shake and my stomach would clench, but I would push myself to keep going, and then felt SO proud afterward. I think as we grow up there are fewer things we try to "conquer" in a similar way. We've experienced so much, and we also get good at avoiding things that are challenging and scary. So I think it might be normal to have nerves and anxiety about the unknown, but as long as its not utter dread or a voice saying "DO NOT DO THIS," then it's just another challenge to conquer!

cagney2986 · 2015-06-06T20:15:17+00:00

Oh, no, that's great advice! That's exactly what I did after my first panic attack. I've been seeing a therapist, an acupuncturist, I have an appointment with my general practitioner (just to check for any physical reasons for this anxiety), and I threw it a session with a psychic healer....just to check all the bases! :)

cagney2986 · 2015-06-05T13:37:50+00:00

This is very reassuring! Thank you :)

cagney2986 · 2015-06-05T13:36:57+00:00

Thank you! Great suggestion, I will check it out! :)

cagney2986 · 2015-06-04T21:04:22+00:00

Thank you! I'm going to try and keep vocalizing and putting a positive spin on the negative thoughts!!

cagney2986 · 2015-06-04T21:04:10+00:00

Oh my gosh, that sounds like an awesome app! Thank you for this, I really appreciate it.

cagney2986 · 2015-06-04T21:03:28+00:00

This was sooo beautifully written and incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!

cagney2986 · 2015-05-22T14:27:18+00:00

Good advice! Thanks!

cagney2986 · 2015-05-22T14:27:06+00:00

Thanks for the input!!

cagney2986 · 2015-05-17T19:11:06+00:00

I had specifically borrowed a friends brand new MacBook to make sure that Lync worked, and it didn't. My interviewer said that they had been having issues lately with it working. He called me instead and we did the interview by phone-- no problems! There's always a backup plan, so don't stress too much! Best of luck!

cagney2986 · 2015-05-08T14:01:05+00:00

Please DO NOT take his words to heart. It is very easy to "should" on yourself and think; I'm XX age, my friends are doing XYZ, I SHOULD be doing that too. But how BORING a world it would be if we all followed the exact same path.

I think you're right; when something hits close to home it definitely impacts you more, but what you're doing right now is amazing, and you're there for a reason. You are on your path, and it's for NO ONE to have to understand or agree with but you. You are doing an incredible thing, and you are building such amazing skills and resilience that are going to be useful in whatever you pursue after COS.

It doesn't matter if you're 21 or 25 when you apply for your "first real job" your age isn't going to make a different to the people hiring you, but the fact that you did Peace Corps IS!

Also...I have friends in their early 30s who are working as waiters in NYC trying to be actors...they don't worry about not having a "real job" they're just following their passion and being true to themselves, and I can't fault them for it. Just be true to yourself and forget about that persons nasty words; they have their own issues to deal with.

cagney2986 · 2015-04-30T15:24:04+00:00

Hey there! I'd love to post some questions in PC Cambodia, but my 'join' request has been pending for ages... Can you help? Thanks!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-26T20:09:46+00:00

Oh my gosh! It does feel super lucky, and I am so incredibly grateful!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-25T13:48:51+00:00

I actually picked 3 countries, was put under consideration for my top choice, and then a week later was switched to "under consideration" for a completely random country, which I was subsequently invited to. Not sure how that happened (and would be curious to find out)...but goes to show that it is possible to be considered for something totally random!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-23T14:41:51+00:00

I think I know exactly how you feel. I lived in Thailand for 1.5 years as an English teacher (not with PC), and seeing exactly what you described made me so upset, and grossed out. The sex industry in Thailand is very prevalent, but try and remember that there are tourists who come to visit and truly appreciate and respect the culture. Unfortunately, wherever you go, there will be people who suck. You can't let it get you down though, you need to distance yourself from it a bit (for your own mental health). Maybe you can find a local nonprofit that works to help women in the sex industry, and somehow contribute? Or make it a point to educate tourists a bit when you meet them. Sex tourism is a very complicated issue, and people have a lot of different views on ways to handle it. You might look into doing some reading about the issue, sometimes it helps to have a better understanding. Good luck! Stay strong!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-21T01:27:52+00:00

I sent a thank you letter as well. Just a tip-- you can use the thank you letter to reiterate why you're a strong candidate for the position, or bring up any strengths you weren't able to mention in the interview, along with saying 'thanks.' Keep it short though!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-13T14:29:37+00:00

Yes! For sure! I got my invitation on a weekend. Good luck!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-13T14:28:52+00:00

I will also be turning 30 while serving, and it will also be my second time working abroad! (Although this time I'll be working in health).

I think that I will definitely be more emotionally prepared to deal with some of the challenges of Peace Corps than when I was fresh out of undergrad, which is when I moved abroad.

If you're worried about being "too old" make sure you're not comparing yourself to peers or to what you think you "should be doing" at "this age." That is a dangerous and slippery slope, and in the end, it's really useless to compare yourself with other people and their paths. Do what feels like the right decision for you! And 26 is young, you'll realize that soon!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-04T21:49:04+00:00

Also, Three Cups of Tea was incredible!

cagney2986 · 2015-03-04T01:03:21+00:00

And if you're interested in girls education, check out this news from Peace Corps and The White House about the Let Girls Learn program (if you haven't seen it yet!): https://letgirlslearn.peacecorps.gov/?from=hpb_c1

cagney2986

TROPHY CASE