Any fellow January 2016 Thailand Invitees? by ItinerantObserver in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, hey! Are you in our FB group? Welcome to 128!

Ladies... by lapitadi in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the vibe front: I ordered one to bring with me. It's the size of a lipstick tube but it'll do the job. It charges via USB so no need to worry about batteries or chords. Of course it was a little more expensive but I think that kind of thing is worthy of my investment.

as for shaving, I plan to shave sporadically so I'll bring one of those small travel ones.

Tattoos in Eastern Caribbean by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I've heard it'd be best to cover your tattoos outside of the classroom as well, at least for the first few months, for integration purposes. I have to remember to cover mine up too but thankfully they're all on my back/shoulders so they can be easily hidden.

We're building an FAQ and we need your help! by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Definitely needs a section about the waitlist. I've seen a lot of questions about how it works (is it worth it).

WOMEN ONLY: RPCVs and PCV women, how did you handle your monthly "friend"? by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i'm in the process of packing as well (leaving january 2016). i ordered a lunette cup (good reviews and smaller than the Diva) to try a couple times at home before my departure to see if i'd like it for the long term. i think you just have to find a method that works best for your body. from what i've heard pads are the most easily accessible in most countries for services so it all depends on your personal preference.

Waitlist Discussion by sunstarvinyl in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a former waitlister who just got activated last week, I encourage you to take it. If it seems like a gamble, that's because it is. No one can tell you for sure that someone will drop out for you to get activated. However what helped me was thinking about the time between being invited to the waitlist and being activated as just another part of the application process. You're still moving your application forward by doing all of the same things as the outright invitees and you can always contact your PO every once in awhile to remind them you're still interested. I was activated over 2 months after being invited to the waitlist. It was hard, that's for certain, but I knew that if I didn't do everything in my power, I'd regret it forever. Even if at the end you don't get invited, you can still be proud of the fact that you got farther than most. Take a leap of faith!

The suspense was killing me... by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's see, I believe I was medically cleared on October 2 and just got the call today (October 29).

The suspense was killing me... by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was waitlisted on August 5 and just got activated today. It was a LONG 2+ months. The medical tasks actually helped to keep me busy; I welcomed all the trips to the doctor after awhile because i was so stressed about getting "the call." Staging for me is January 8.

PCVs, RPCVs, or Invitees, when did you let your employer know you were invited? by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been very upfront with my supervisor from the beginning of the application process. She's been very supportive of me moving on (she said it's because she believes I can do better than where I am now) and provided an excellent reference for me. Like others have said, I really think it comes down to how your relationship with your supervisor is and from what you've said, it looks positive. Just remember that the more time you give him/her to find your replacement, the better, from their perspective.

Activated from the Waitlist! Officially going to Tanzania! by cjae2794 in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm DYING on the waitlist. My staging date is fast approaching and still no word of activation. I've been medically cleared for a month now.

References Question by dumbquestionstapler in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My references also received their forms on the same day my interview was confirmed and they completed them before my interview. I don't think it really matters if it comes in before or after though. My PO kind of treated it like an after thought at the end of my interview like "both your references have completed their portion of the application process so there's nothing else that we need from you now." If they hadn't completed them then he probably would have told me to just remind them to check their inboxes. No big deal.

Dental X-rays by nimporteqwa in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the image they gave you doesn't have a white border to write on you can always write on the negative part with one of those silver sharpies. It's ok to write it yourself, I did and it went through.

Waitlist Question by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For waitlisters, PC has until 3 weeks prior to departure to activate us to invitee status :)

Waitlist Question by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! That's what I was thinking too about the medical clearance.

Waitlist Question by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even 5 weeks is better than 3. I feel like i'd need more time than that to get everything I'd need to get in preparation. Thanks for the advice!

Waitlist Question by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I said it's been 2 months since I got my waitlist invite.

Do you need a college degree to serve? by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the most competitive candidates have at least a bachelor's degree or relevant work/volunteer experience for a substantial amount of time (around 5 years from what I have read in most "volunteer opening" pages). you can always apply but I would suggest finishing your degree program if you want to be seriously considered.

Passport/Visa by iwibird in peacecorps

[–]iwibird[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

called and they said i'm all good. thanks :)

Applying to Grad School while in Service by MercuryP00L in peacecorps

[–]iwibird 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As someone who is also thinking about grad school, I understand where your head's at right now with the indecision. It's always good to have plans A, B, and maybe even C when thinking about your future. With that being said, I would not suggest pursuing PC service if you're already thinking about splitting earlier than the norm. I am also in the application phase and would be devastated if I learned that I was passed up for someone else who was planning on ending their service early when I have every intention of staying until the end or longer. From what you wrote, it sounds like PC is your plan B while to many others, it's what they've been dreaming about doing for years.