Peace Corps: Feelings on being Accepted and going.

In the last week of September 2016, I felt that it was time to finally apply to the Peace Corps. Thoughts loitered inside that more experience was needed. A career like that Peace Corps is extremely competitive to be accepted into. A couple of years before this moment I beat out of the job at a donut shop, so what was the chance now of me beating someone else out of an application process and interview for donut shop x1000. Collecting the information of volunteer work from being college freshmen to senior year. Organizations that were created by me and that I was a part of were added. Also at the time, I was studying abroad in England. Joining the Peace Corps was a want for five years, giving it the best shot was all that could be done.

---

There were three countries and with each there were various positions to choose from when applying. My first choice was China teaching children. China was the first choice because Chinese is one of the most marketable and used languages, specifically Mandarin. Thinking about it now I could have been learning Cantonese if I was going there. Sorry, that was a spoiler. Teaching was the position chosen because it seemed like that best way to learn a language and teaching seems to be a transferable skill in any place of work, were instruction is needed or public speaking is required. Learning concepts and ideas then passing them on to others is an exhilarating feeling. The next two options for countries and positions were not important. Whatever skills I could contribute to where ever needed them was and is what really matters. That's what was the last two choices. There was a tap in the selection for countries that had said: "Anywhere I'm needed". That was perfect. For positions, it read something like "Whatever I'm needed to do". That was what was selected for a position on my application. If you mainly want to travel get a job or an internship in another country. The Peace Corps is mainly about helping others and making sacrifices to do so. It doesn't matter which country you end up in it's about the people there and working with them. It's about flexibility taking on roles you never thought of doing in places you might not think you would end up in or might not have been on the top of your list. Open up to new experiences and ways of life. By doing this there is a change that goes on on the inside that might hurt a little or a lot. Who we are is composed of likes and dislikes, trials and eras. Stopping back from what you are and wondering what you can be is hard but is what makes life worth it.

---

With my resume was a letter about why I wanted to be a part of the Peace Corps. In the letter, there were details about how there were teachers in my life that helped push me through learning difficulties and I wanted to be that for others.

---

A week later an e-mail was to me from the Peace Corps. It had said that I was being looked at for a teaching position in Malawi. I had never heard of this country before. It is a small country in Southeast Africa in between Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. I was a little disappointed that China was not an option but was grateful that there was something at all as much as if I was chosen for China.

---

Excited and nervousness were the feelings toward having to do an interview. I was surprised that the donut shop x1000 was going to give me an interview. An e-mail I was given questions that I would be asked in the interview. It was going to be a Skype call with Skype business. Since I was in London at the time my Skype business did not work. This is because it does not work overseas as far as a know in England. At the time I did not know this and was nervous because I was trying to connect to the person that was going to interview me and it was a good amount of time past when the interview was supposed to start. I had to do it over the phone. They had called me so I would not get the charge. Some of the questions were about when I had displayed leadership and work with people from other countries. I thought that it did not go that well because they were not able to see me and I thought that this took away from them getting to really assess who I was.

---

On Halloween, I had received an e-mail saying that I had gotten accepted into the Peace Corps. My head was ringing with excitement.

There is nothing else that I want right now in my life more than doing this. there is a part of me that kind of feels like a jerk. I know I'm following my dreams but I'm leaving everyone who has loved me in my life. All of my family and good friends that have done nothing but

care for me I'm leaving behind. I know that I should do what I want in life and the people who matter are those who want me to do what I want. They will be there for me no matter was I good how long I'm there. This still does not stop the guilt. I want to do good for others and for myself but I don't want to distance myself the people in my life. These are the tough choices I’ve make and live with. I knew it would come to it but it feels different when it's happening soon. I have to stay strong. Growing is a challenge and doing good is hard work. Sacrifice and suffering is how I know I am growing, and learning.