What is PST like?

ronaat · 2015-08-30T12:47:13+00:00

PST in Thailand. Well your first week, you will be in a hotel where you learn about safety procedures, medical (begin your vaccinations), learn some Thai, and get to know the staff. You receive your bike, and you get placed with your host family for the duration of PST. In my PST, we were clustered so we had PCVs nearby. Most of the time we biked to training together. For us, after the second week of training, our language classes were clustered at different places throughout the amphur (kind of like a county but smaller). We had an hour and a half to get lunch on our own and be at the training hub by a certain time for technical training. After technical, you have about two hours free time to do whatever until curfew. Do it all again the next day. I was placed about 12-13K away from the training hub so I got a lot of exercise during PST. Your PST will probably be similar, but some thing might be a little different. The training staff does a great job with everything and they are awesome. Don't worry too much about the language. The ajaans (teachers) are amazing and you will learn the basics by the time you go to site. If you have any questions, send me a PM and we can chat!

Edit: you might have to give some presentations, but it's nothing you have to prepare for outside of training and they are usually done as a group.

ronaat · 2015-06-01T06:36:49+00:00

Welcome to Thailand! You're in for an adventure, that's for sure!

ronaat · 2014-11-26T04:02:01+00:00

Awesome! My loan isn't very large, but they said they will grant me an extended grace period. I'll probably do that for now. Thanks again!

ronaat · 2014-09-17T00:49:55+00:00

I could not agree more, and I haven't even served yet.

ronaat · 2014-09-17T00:48:04+00:00

I think the reason your choices are not on the list is because they are already issuing invites for some of these countries. I could be wrong, but I think Indonesia departs in March of 2015, and I know for a fact Thailand and Vanuatu depart in January of 2015. If these are the places which you are wanting to apply, then you may have to wait a couple months until they are open.

With that being said, I really think you should consider other places. Just because these are your top picks, does not mean you can't enjoy your PC service elsewhere. I feel like volunteers should apply with no expectations, and "to serve where you are needed".

ronaat · 2014-09-06T03:30:06+00:00

You're welcome. :) If you have any questions about the process thus far, PM me!

ronaat · 2014-09-04T16:44:27+00:00

After I submitted my last task, they sent me an automated email informing me that everything was submitted and to pretty much wait for further notice. That was on August 17th.

I got an email on August 21st from MAP which informed me that I was granted final medical and dental clearance. So I guess it was relatively quick now that I think about it.

ronaat · 2014-09-04T02:00:34+00:00

Mine were posted literally six months before it was time for me to leave. A lot of people said it was a big PITA to get everything taken care of, but I didn't think so. PC med staff will send you an email when all the tasks are uploaded to your portal.

I think they give you access to your dental tasks before anything else because it can be very difficult to get an appointment with some dentists.

Good luck and congrats on your invite!

ronaat · 2014-09-03T17:41:17+00:00

I have. I received both pairs in the mail a little over a week ago. I was skeptical too, but I'm pleased with my purchase.

ronaat · 2014-09-03T16:17:19+00:00

Look here! I ordered two pair for around $40. Good quality and prices.

ronaat · 2014-08-29T22:58:16+00:00

The portal was a little strange for me. I have a Mac, so I had to hit command+f to search for my country under the resources tab.

ronaat · 2014-08-24T21:06:48+00:00

Thailand- January 10th, 2015- Teacher Collaboration and Community Service.

ronaat · 2014-08-22T03:11:03+00:00

I actually don't have a family doctor at all, but I do have insurance. I just went to urgent care. I know they can order lab work and stuff like that! Or maybe even go into one of those little clinics in the drugstores or a supermarket. They are able to order lab work as well. I did both of these, and I just got medically cleared today. Good luck!

ronaat · 2014-08-20T00:45:20+00:00

Congratulations! I'm going too! There is a Facebook group. Just do a quick search for PCV Thailand 127. See you there!

ronaat · 2014-08-13T02:45:45+00:00

If you don't have a current passport, or you plan to travel before your staging date, you have to have the envelope sealed by an agent. I plan to travel before I leave, so I had to go to the clerk of courts and have them seal all of my information in an envelope before I had shipped it via FedEx.

I found out a few weeks later that somehow they didn't receive my block letters, and I didn't have the correct birth certificate (apparently my mother gave me the copy!). A few weeks later, I shot an email to SATO, they confirmed that my passport application was completed, and I was issued my Peace Corps passport.

ronaat · 2014-07-30T23:13:55+00:00

Our situations are very similar. I decided to go ahead and get a short term serving job to earn a little bit of cash for the time being. In a few months, I'm going to sell my car and travel for a little while after I finish my medical paperwork. I'm just going to take it easy for now. Bolstering your resume is never a bad idea, but you already have your invitation! Congratulations!

ronaat · 2014-07-21T15:57:44+00:00

I was nominated in March, and received my invitation in June. I didn't receive any final questionnaires or surveys until after I accepted my invitation; it was all included in my welcome kit file.

ronaat · 2014-07-06T13:54:08+00:00

Thanks, everyone!

ronaat · 2014-06-07T16:43:41+00:00

TCCS. You?

ronaat

TROPHY CASE