Getting to The Kingdom

The Peace Corps' application process is a long one...

It all began near the end of my fifth year at Virginia Tech. Busy utilizing the career center to polish my resume, I decided to stumble in on an information session for the Peace Corps. While I had been curious about Peace Corps throughout college, it wasn't until hearing two RPCVs, returned Peace Corps volunteers, talk about their experiences that I was certain of my interest.

After completing the initial application online and sending in my resume, I was asked for an interview near DC. It went smoothly. I was then nominated to focus on special education in Central Asia beginning August 2010, more than a year from that time! To continue the application process, I turned in three letters of recommendation from one of my professors, my previous employer at Grassroots Campaigns and my employer at Virginia Tech's Center for Survey Research. Since nomination does not guarantee an invitation to serve, I volunteered over the summer at the community garden and my college radio station for the experience to make me a more competitive applicant.

After the Summer, I cleared my legal and medical portion of the application while working as a customer service representative at the College Board and living near the office in Reston Town Center, Virginia. I volunteered with Easter Seals Respite Program as a buddy for children with disabilities and as a trainer for the Special Olympics in Alexandria (Shot put, woohoo!). I lived in a big house with a soon-to-be friend nicknamed E from Ethiopia, two cool Indian bachelors Mayhonk and Ankur, a Chinese stewardess and an elder, Chinese landlord. While cooking breakfast, I'd joke that the International House of Pancakes is open!

After 10 months of living and having some good times with that crew while working with a great bunch at The College Board, Peace Corps called and asked whether I'd like an invitation to leave sooner than expected, in a month to be exact, for Africa. Since sub-Saharan Africa was my top preference in my interview that took place a year prior, I jumped on the plane!