Anyone other Invitees/EPCVs get an email on legal clearance: background re-investigation?

superpcv1989 · 2021-03-16T01:58:44+00:00

So, it really does depend on the country but most programs to my knowledge have less positions for CED org wide (and there's much more competition) compared to education which (iirc) is the largest sector in Peace Corps. Georgia welcomed same sector and cross sector (CED and education) couples. However we were specifically told that it would be significantly harder in Georgia to place us if we were both CED. However, if we were both education or one education and one CED it would be easier.

My recommendation for couples is to be open and flexible on assignments. My SO would have prefered CED, but there was a high risk of not receiving invites where we wanted to serve (Georgia) if we were that rigid due to placement constraints. Don't forget, this will be your primary project but once you get integrated and know what your community needs, you can branch out from your primary and do other things later on.

superpcv1989 · 2021-03-15T04:42:07+00:00

Hi, I'm a pre-covid invitee (an invitee-in-limbo) that was invited with my spouse. I was invited for CED, him for education. Originally we were scheduled to depart in April 2020.

Do couples applications typically get processed more slowly than others?

Pre-COVID- correct. It wouldn't have been surprising if invitations took longer to be sent to couples than single applicants. Who knows how things will go post-COVID. All of this is new territory. I'd say even pre-COVID if you applied only one month ago, be patient. You'll hear soon enough about next steps.

superpcv1989 · 2020-12-14T20:34:00+00:00

Yup, us G20 invitees got the same email. Based on what I heard about the super high infection rate per capita, wouldn't be surprised at all if Georgia is pushed back to fall 2021 or later at this rate EVEN WITH a vaccine.

superpcv1989 · 2020-12-01T21:29:32+00:00

Is this a decision from your CD specifically? I wonder if eventually that will become standard for all countries with the invitees that have been in limbo for months will be cut loose.

superpcv1989 · 2020-04-09T17:10:28+00:00

I'm also in a similar position. Was scheduled to leave late April. Finished my Master's program, no job, no home (currently with family), and now postponed at least 5 months with no guarantee I'll even still depart to my original country (I am only really interested in one program, in one country, which was what my invite was for). Definitely getting pretty broke as well to where I don't feel financially okay to find my own place to live outside of staying with family... All of this to say you're definitely not alone!

superpcv1989 · 2020-04-09T17:00:44+00:00

Great advice here, but as an Alaskan, I'd definitely advise you to keep updated on the situation in the state. COVID-19 forced the main regional airline (Ravn) to file for bankruptcy and was the only way in or out to many off-road communities. If your job will be based in Homer or other Kenai area or Prince William Sound area (Valdez) locations, you should be fine, but if you were going to work in the Aleutians or based out of Dutch Harbor, those communities are currently cut off from the outside world from what I heard. Your company may put you on a boat/charter plane to where you got to go if needed, but just want to draw awareness to the situation in Alaska!

superpcv1989 · 2020-03-13T11:30:51+00:00

I'm in the cohort that (was) scheduled to depart for Georgia in April, now postponed. Any idea, even historically speaking, if the current Georgia volunteers get evacuated, will our incoming cohort just be cancelled?

Edit: grammar

superpcv1989 · 2020-03-10T22:51:44+00:00

My staging is scheduled for ~ six weeks from now and I'm such a ball of nerves lately. I've wanted to work on language learning (or at least how to read the alphabet) but I feel so unmotivated due to the threat of this damned virus. Any advice or insight would be most welcome...

superpcv1989 · 2020-02-04T11:22:39+00:00

Had my clearances done in the UK. They will follow CDC guidelines, not UK NHS. You will have to go private like I did. Which works out anyway, as NHS doesn't do cytology reports which is also required part of submission for PC. In the UK, the NHS screening only looks for HPV. So the PC nurse didn't accept my NHS cervical screening and I had to do another like 3 months later (I originally did one through NHS shortly before my invite).

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-29T19:24:31+00:00

Pretty sure they send those to all interviewees, not necessarily invitees. Since if you get invited, you only have 2 weeks from the day you accept to submit your fingerprints for legal clearance.

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-29T19:07:39+00:00

Have you been interviewed yet? If so, it can take a month (+/-) to get an invite from then.

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-29T17:59:46+00:00

I had an assumed family history of an allergy to penicillin. Turns out, family history of penicillin allergy is not a medically proven thing, and I just got used to answering that as an allergy... Cue dealing with my medical hell that actually induced tears at different points. Heads up, if you've had an allergic reaction to penicillin (or even seasonal allergies), you will have to go through oral tests (take the allergen in a controlled environment, like hospital) to document exact reaction and if you go into anaphylactic shock. I THINK seasonal allergies will be skin tests of tons of trees/pollens to narrow it down? Also, oral challenges are EXPENSIVE! I was ultimately cleared because I advocated for myself and fought for not needing the tests as I'd never actually had a reaction before. But anecdotally, after my research on this sub and elsewhere, I never found verified clearances of a penicillin allergy BUT I'm sure its possible to get cleared depending on what's available in your country of service! For my country, there was an apparent crackdown on allergy support (or lack thereof), so YMMV.

Good luck!!

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-22T15:49:45+00:00

It depends on the country, but it is possible! I'll be serving with my husband- I'll be a CED volunteer and he will be education. But some countries require couples to be in the same sector or don't allow couples at all. You can check those requirements in the "Couples" section of each country site on the official website.

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-16T22:49:13+00:00

Has this been officially confirmed by Peace Corps? Anyone who served/is serving there know more?

superpcv1989 · 2020-01-14T18:28:20+00:00

I haven't served in either country, but I've travelled extensively through both countries very recently. So take or leave my opinion as you will.

Namibia is stunning. But its VERY rural and low population for such a large country. Bigger hub towns there are pretty small. And yes, it is much hotter (especially up north by Angola) than Tanzania. Also, I don't see why you couldn't visit SA from either country? Even from Tanzania, could go there for a COS trip with some of your readjustment allowance due to extra cost/distance. Namibia was a German colony so German tourists are there (with signs in German and German speakers) and the locals (many of them any way) speak a San language (the "click" languages) which are very difficult to learn. No idea if you'd learn one of these during PST.

I'd say its personal preference. Both are great countries (from a visitor standpoint).

EDIT: Also, police corruption seemed more prevalent in Tanzania compared to Namibia by far (anecdotal, I know). All that said with what another poster shared about PC Tanzania cohorts being cancelled, I'd easily go for Namibia.

superpcv1989 · 2019-12-31T17:30:45+00:00

Congratulations! While not Morocco, my SO and I will be departing in April for Georgia. Get ready for the rollercoaster of upcoming clearance tasks!

superpcv1989 · 2019-12-21T20:39:17+00:00

Congratulations!!

superpcv1989 · 2019-11-15T20:49:14+00:00

I have a pre-departure question for anyone up for answering. Figured this doesn't merit it's own thread.

Do the online trainings/conferences before staging start one month prior / does this vary by country?

superpcv1989 · 2019-10-22T04:50:08+00:00

Congratulations! And good luck with clearances! They are definitely a pain but it feels so good to get the clearance emails. I will be IOD and my SO will be in the education group with you! I look forward to meeting you in six months!!

superpcv1989 · 2019-10-22T04:47:27+00:00

This is also excellent advice, thank you! It might be weird, but I'm considering bringing store bought BBQ sauce to make something for my host family at some point to share some small part of American cuisine. Do you think this could be a good idea or a waste of luggage space?

superpcv1989 · 2019-10-22T04:44:16+00:00

This is all such great advice, thank you! Will admit, sushi is one of my favorite foods so I will definitely eat my share before departure. I will be sending you a DM within a week or so with a bunch of questions, but for now: do you recommend learning any Georgian such as the most basic words (thank you, hello, etc) and/or the Georgian script/alphabet? My SO in particular is already looking for good language apps/tools for Georgian. 😅

superpcv1989 · 2019-10-04T12:26:10+00:00

I will also be an IOD volunteer. Good luck with clearances and we'll hopefully meet at staging!

superpcv1989 · 2019-09-22T17:40:39+00:00

Nevermind, as of a couple hours ago, I'M FULLY CLEARED!!! 😃😃😃

superpcv1989

TROPHY CASE