I am very excited to say I have applied to the Peace Corps and been accepted and medically cleared for my next adventure! So what does this mean?
Well I am going to Benin in West Africa (very small country) for 2 years and 3 months;
What does Peace Corps do?
Peace Corps has many different sectors, from agriculture, medical, and teaching. I will be in the education sector where I teach English in a small village school. There are also secondary projects that you can choose to do with your time like make a soccer team, singing club or something about sexual health and protection. All is available in the peace corps and it just depends on what your community needs.
What will living be like?
I will be living with a host family for 3 months of training and then move to a small village where I will have a modest house. I probably won't have water or electricity available in my home, but from a well or generator. I will have to purify all of my water before drinking and cook with propane and fire. I expect this to be very difficult to adjust to but that is part of the adventure! Benin speaks French and I will use my previous knowledge to start my language journey and also learn a local language. For the rest of the two years I will be alone in my village (yes alone, the only American) getting used to life in Africa!
Why did I choose Peace Corps?
I really want to be uncomfortable. After living in Korea for 11 months I realized I had the strength to live and thrive in uncomfortable situations. I learned so much about myself and I don't want that to stop anytime soon. The Peace Corps offers scholarships for a master's degree, decent pay, and starts my student loans on a forgiveness plan. I thought that all of these benefits added up to be the perfect opportunity. I also desire to meet people that work through NGOs and find a job where I help lead people on the ground and get the needed work done.
When are you leaving?
May 28th 2023 is the set date, this may change but probably still similar time. I leave for DC and do a few days of orientation before getting on the long flight to the country of Benin.
What is the application process like?
It is not easy, but it isn't hard. I think the application is the easiest part actually but it is far from the last part of the process. I just had to fill out some qualifications, get three references, and write an essay talking about why I want to be a volunteer and how I can adapt and live abroad. This essay was edited by many professors and crafted for MONTHS. I did end up getting chosen for the interview that is AN HOUR AND A HALF long. They asked questions and wanted anecdotes about my time in Korea. Two weeks later I was accepted for Benin and started my medical clearance. This is the hard part. I had about 25 tasks to complete and it was very daunting. That being said I had a fairly smooth clearance. Dentist work, blood tests, and vaccinations, and all submitted and then approved by a nurse. There will be some training left for me before I leave but for now I am set!
Thank you for reading and I hope this helps bring an understanding to my next journey!