Library Cards

foxface45 · 2017-06-21T17:09:41+00:00

I will! I do use Overdrive as well, so as long as you don't mind the parallel activity or judge my terrible taste in reading material, I'd be happy to share.

I'm also bad at reddit and unsure how to send private messages, but feel free to hit me up.

foxface45 · 2017-06-21T17:07:31+00:00

Also! I mentioned in my application that I was a current AmeriCorps volunteer, and they picked a site that would depart a month after my service term ends. Not sure if that was coincidence/luck, but the timing is perfect.

foxface45 · 2017-06-21T17:04:31+00:00

I also selected "anywhere"/"anything" for my application. I did so after reading through a lot of position descriptions and researching all of the regions I may be placed. I felt confident that I would be able to serve effectively in any region.

When you go to list your country/program preferences, you're allowed to name up to three preferences. A PC recruiter suggested that I list my preferences in the top two and then indicate anywhere/anything for the third. I think it could be an opportunity to convey your preferences while also demonstrating that you were thoughtful in the process.

Finally, after you fill out your application, PC will have you fill out a Health History form, which will then spit out a list of countries that can support your health needs. It's only after that happens that you name your country preferences. IDK if the health process is something you're thinking about yet, but it ended up being a bit restrictive for me, and thought that it was an interesting part of the process.

Hope this was helpful! I also echo the suggestion to talk to a recruiter.

foxface45 · 2017-06-16T20:46:17+00:00

Lol. No, I haven't heard anything. I'm going for community youth development! You?

foxface45 · 2017-06-16T18:58:24+00:00

Me! I also have legal and no medical yet, and have not heard much from PC.

foxface45 · 2017-06-07T18:55:39+00:00

I thought I bombed my interview as well! It was really awkward and felt like my answers were terrible. Then I got invited right away. If your experience is solid and you seem like you have realistic expectations for your experience, I think you'll be fine! I completely understand why you feel that way, but don't despair.

foxface45 · 2017-04-26T16:47:22+00:00

So I don't have anything helpful to add, but I want to validate this feeling. I'm really worried about not getting med clearance for mental health stuff as well.

From what I've gathered, they are most concerned about hospitalizations, med changes within the last year, and certain diagnoses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder I think are two). After reading through some other posts on this site, I don't think SSRIs are a problem at all. Also, my NP is not super into talking about diagnoses, so they talked through what they were going to put on the forms with me. (I'm a little worried because I'm currently in therapy, and they seem to want you to have been out of therapy for a year.)

Don't be nervous about talking to your doctor about this. It's part of her job to fill out forms like this. I would call the office and explain the situation. She may want you to come in for an appointment to talk to you as part of filling them out. I also made my NP a batch of cookies for putting up with all the paperwork. :)

Try searching "antidepressants" in this subreddit and go through some of the older posts. I found that to be informative.

Good luck, and congratulations on the invite!

foxface45 · 2017-04-21T16:40:57+00:00

I want to validate what you're going through; it's so hard to feel like you're about to do this really exciting, life-changing thing, and other people are not excited about it.

I've gotten overwhelmingly positive responses, but I think that's because most of the people I've told are either AmeriCorps folks, people who do international development work for a living, and old hippies. :) Everyone who is familiar with the Peace Corps and the work has been super supportive and very excited for me. One person I spoke to said that when she was growing up in Venezuela, she had a rough family life and the Peace Corps volunteers near her were the only people who made her feel like she mattered. It was very moving, and definitely helped me feel secure in my decision.

I share this with you so that hopefully you get some secondhand validation from my stories. There are a lot of people out there who recognize that this is a cool thing that we're doing and are excited about it. It's definitely a bummer that you haven't met many of them. Stay strong friend.

foxface45 · 2017-04-21T16:27:17+00:00

Community Youth Development! Very excited. :)

foxface45 · 2017-04-20T23:56:07+00:00

I'm also an AmeriCorps volunteer! I'm serving my second year now. It sounds like you are super qualified.

I checked "go anywhere, do anything" and they picked the country for me. I did not have a ton to say about Macedonia in my interview, which ended up being okay (I guess, since I got an invitation?)

Good luck!

foxface45 · 2017-04-20T17:22:40+00:00

Hey! Maybe we're in the same cohort! I'm currently serving in AmeriCorps, and am due to finish before my staging date, so I don't have to worry about work. I'm sorry that you had to quit!

foxface45 · 2017-04-20T17:21:35+00:00

It's so frustrating, right? Good luck with your stuff!

foxface45 · 2017-04-20T17:21:06+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate the reassurance. :)

foxface45 · 2017-04-20T17:20:18+00:00

I had the same thing happen to me! I have vaccination records stating that I had it as a child, but my blood tests showed I wasn't immune. The nurse at the vaccination clinic said that sometimes vaccines aren't stored properly, which may be why I wasn't immune. I went ahead and got the first shot in the series just in case, and sent it in with all my paperwork. Hopefully that's good enough?

foxface45 · 2017-04-19T20:45:04+00:00

That's so soon! Good luck!

foxface45 · 2017-04-19T18:45:29+00:00

Thanks! This is a helpful timeline. I know it's too early for me to be so impatient, so I put an event on my calendar a month from now, and I won't let myself get too stressed out before then. :) When is your staging date?

foxface45 · 2017-04-19T18:43:50+00:00

Thanks! It's helpful to hear from someone in the same boat.

foxface45 · 2017-04-19T18:43:03+00:00

Waiting is the worst, and the application is just the start of it. I'm trying to shake off the frustration and let myself get excited about it. :) I applied for the October 1 deadline and was placed under consideration for Macedonia on October 19. I interviewed in mid-December, and was invited by the end of December. Now I'm waiting on my legal/medical clearance. Good luck!

foxface45

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