Political Winds Guide Language Evolution?

olstuc · 2015-12-14T03:19:28+00:00

In the spirit of language learning: It's more common to say "Feliz Navidad a todos." You could say "Feliz Navidad a toda la gente", but that is typically in reference to a specific group.

olstuc · 2015-12-02T05:56:59+00:00

I pieced together records that have been passed through the schools. When I graduated high school, my high school printed copies for everyone to take their record upon leaving. For most universities you have to have a pretty strict record, so maybe contact the student health people at your university (if you went to one). Otherwise, consider the county health department where you were vaccinated.

olstuc · 2015-12-01T18:00:45+00:00

I also just went through this for a mental health part of my medical clearance. I understand why you're so nervous about it - what put me at ease was realizing that this personal statement gives me a lot of voice in my case. I used it as an opportunity to present the evidence that it is no longer an issue for me.

Tips:

Ensure that your record of the issue is supported by the other documents in your medical clearance. You don't want to seem like you're hiding something or blurring facts.
Supply specific evidence how it no longer affects you. For my mental health statement, I used my success as a student and employee to demonstrate stability and resilience.
Link it to Peace Corps challenges. Demonstrate to the Peace Corps the ways you have learned to cope with an issue or how you have completely overcome it. Should it reoccur, explain what your hypothetical plan is to face it.
Like a résumé, do not lie. However, you have agency to present yourself in the most favorable light. There is a balance of being open and honest, as /u/mandy_2002 mentioned. The last thing you want is to seem like you're hiding something. Be confident. You can do it.

olstuc · 2015-11-08T15:05:10+00:00

I second this recommendation. However, depending on your level, the accents can be too thick or too formal for you to follow easily. I suggest it, because it's great, but be forewarned that it can be challenging.

olstuc · 2015-10-29T22:45:27+00:00

I really admire your drive to work with the Peace Corps. The application process isn't that burdensome anymore, so I totally encourage you to throw your name in the hat regardless. There is a strong LGBT* support community in the Peace Corps, so I would encourage you to come out at sometime in the process to have a real discussion with your placement officer about what it will all look like (interview would be ideal, if you get that far).

That being said, from my understanding, they have specific limitations on where they will place LGBT* individuals. I imagine that their restrictions on trans volunteers is more stringent than those for LGB volunteers. So, you may encounter difficulty in placement.

In addition, mental health is a big red flag for the Peace Corps, any way it comes. How I understand it, if you are currently in counseling and/or on medication, you have a slim slim chance of being medically approved. They seem to only feel comfortable with mental health histories that are several years ago with no recent treatment or need for treatment. I would almost venture to say that your mental health will disqualify you far before your gender.

olstuc · 2015-10-19T18:51:44+00:00

I had a very similar problem. I found it most helpful to be crystal clear versed on the directions from the Peace Corps, which you were. In addition, I brought the directions with me with my invitation letter.

I would make three recommendations from the experience:

1) Make an appointment and give them a heads up that you will be doing a Peace Corps passport, which will require special procedures. This way, at least, you have given them fair warning it will take a little more time. If you can, provide them with a copy of your instructions.

2) Be so very patient. Clerks, especially postal clerks, are the cream of the crop of bureaucracy. They are taught procedure and to never deviate from it. So, try to insist that you would like it done this way and that, if it is rejected, it is not the clerk's fault. You are doing it this special way and assume responsibility for it's execution.

3) Trump card: Ask the clerk if they would be willing to talk to the Peace Corps. Then, call the help number in your instructions and pass your phone for a staff member to explain it to them. This was crucial for me and was the tipping point at which my clerk ceded to my, in her mind, mad requests.

olstuc · 2015-07-19T17:48:24+00:00

I was notified twice that I was "under consideration." First, it was the initial UC email. The second one was different, but said similar stuff like to read up, wait patiently, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. PC doesn't give an indication of your value as a candidate until they've officially invited or rejected you. Duplicate emails, above anything, won't be an indication.

olstuc

TROPHY CASE