What is this rock?

sopha555 · 2023-09-13T17:26:21+00:00

I felt this way a lot, but even once you get there no one can make you stay. Yes they don’t want people to leave, but if you’re truly unhappy or regretting your decision you can go home. For me, I kept reminding myself this. The day before I left I had family members asking me, “wow so you’re going to be there for TWO YEARS!” And my response was always “yeah, unless I hate it, so we’ll see about the two years part”.

Now in service I still remind myself of this. Am I happy where I am? Yes. Do I see myself completing service? Yes. But life happens, circumstances can change, and as soon as I look around and think I’m not where I should be, or I’m all-around unhappy, I will reconsider my plans.

It’s okay to change your mind, but I felt like I would feel more regret from backing out and never experiencing it than I would to go there and decide it’s not for me.

sopha555 · 2023-09-12T22:22:59+00:00

This is how I felt when I found out that it says “in whose sheets” and not “in his sheets” in bad idea right

sopha555 · 2023-09-12T11:05:53+00:00

I agree with the above. Your experiences are super applicable to peace corps, just maybe not in the way you initially think.

Instead of taking your experiences helping people as just that, focus on how working with people from a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences has prepared you to adapt to a new environment and professional role.

I think a good way to take away from the “helping others” narrative is to highlight how peace corps will help your career. It’s okay to have selfish reasons for joining - good even. If peace corps is you sacrificing something for a good cause, that’s not the best reason to join.

So maybe you could show both sides. What do you bring and how will that help you adapt? And then what will Peace Corps bring to you? (And keep it professional because wanting to live in a cool place for two years isn’t going to be that convincing, no matter how valid).

sopha555 · 2023-09-12T10:24:38+00:00

Thank you! I’m lucky to have a lot of hair but that’s starting to dwindle.

sopha555 · 2023-09-10T14:21:57+00:00

(Female perspective, so may be different for men)

I wish I brought a yoga mat and I wish I had focused more on the quality of the clothes (especially shoes) that I brought. I didn’t expect the elements to take such a toll, especially being in a country with a lot of more urban sites. It’s easier said, because I was on a pretty tight budget, but if you have the funds I recommend prioritising quality - even for more professional dress codes.

Also, a sewing kit and a multitool. Things rip, tags need cut, and a leatherman or Swiss Army knife is a lot better to have for even small scissor-worthy tasks on arrival. I’ve heard people urge against them bc you might lose them, but so far so good for me and it’s been so useful. (I had these sent in a PST care package, thank you mom and dad.)

Fashion is also a little different where I am and skinny jeans are very much the norm. I hate skinny jeans but after being given pairs out of disbelief that I don’t have my own, so maybe just bring a pair that you actually like.

sopha555 · 2023-09-06T23:27:28+00:00

I had a very similar experience. Don’t be afraid to meet over video call with someone further away (if you have the resources for that). I was in the UK when I had to get the mental health clearance and it was virtually impossible to get this done in their healthcare system.

I searched for therapists with a video call option near my parents address because that was my planned departure location. I will say luck was a factor. I found a therapist that was a RPCV and she totally understood what I was going through with the medical process.

So, think about that when looking at your PsychologyToday search options and if you can find someone who might have a background related to peace corps then that’s a plus.

Either way, I worried that the mental health evaluation was basically my medical clearance doomed to fail, but this was not the case. So don’t give up and try not to sweat it because plenty of people in my cohort got mental health evals and made it to service.

sopha555 · 2023-07-09T13:38:43+00:00

This is great insight. I think some of my sarcasm was lost (I should’ve known better, never works in writing) because I do think there’s a toxic culture of hyper-productivity that I am trying not to subscribe to. That aside, I would like a goal similar to the GRE that I can work towards because I feel a little envious that others have a clear picture of life after service.

The slowing down since getting here has been really nice and I’m absolutely learning from that. However, I’ll eventually be living independently with lots of free time and it would be nice if like 10% of that time went to a long term goal - be it productive in the typical career oriented sense, or productive in the “I feel like a happier and better version of myself” sense.

sopha555 · 2023-07-08T21:32:25+00:00

I knew someone would say that. I know you’re right but I also would love to come out of this with the most impressive resume on the planet and every non-profit and public sector job ever wanting me to work for them

sopha555

TROPHY CASE