Peace Corps Application Timeline

Many people have asked about my timeline for the application process. Obviously no two experiences will be alike. Hope my information sheds some light on the process for anyone interested.

Some times during the process you feel like you are on cloud nine and other times you feel as you are pulling teeth to get to the next step. Maybe it is my pesky American optimism that makes my brain act this way, but I do not really fret much about all of the work I did to get to this point. However, at this point I tend to focus on all of the high points along the application process.

This chart is pretty self explanatory, but if you have any questions feel free to ask. The third column should be considered as a more relative time span rather than exact times. Also, I'm sure I have left some things out and some things have not happened yet, so consider this more of a rough estimate of my experience.

This information was gathered using my email account and past blog posts. Thank you Google.

2005		Spent lots of time filling out the application and then waiting, debating with myself on whether or not this was something I really wanted to do.
June	Told parents I was interested in the Peace Corps
2006
June 19	Went to an interest meeting
November 26	Submitted Application
November 27	Sumbitted Health Status Review
1st or 2nd Week of December	Received relevant skills addenda, background check request, information on student loans, finger print card, (maybe more, but that’s all I can remember)
December 22	Mailed above information packet
2007
January 25	Went for interview in Atlanta
January 29	Received nomination via phone for Community Development in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa leaving in July
March 5	Received nomination packet	Sent dozens of emails and made countless numbers of phone calls to OMS and the Placement Office. Being proactive is very helpful. I was told on more than one occasion it showed commitment and determination. Thanks to all of the people that had gone before me and had wonderful advice. It is only because of them and the support of my friends and family that I made it through this section so quickly and in such high spirits.
April 12	Sent off paperwork for personal passport
April 16	Received medical packet
April 30	Mailed completed medical packet
May 2	Dentally cleared
May 11	Office of Medical Services (OMS) request additional information
May 11	Faxed additional information to OMS
May 23	Medically cleared
May 23	Made contact with Africa Placement Office
May 23	Received request for an additional reference and resume
May 24	Submitted additional reference and resume
June 7	Talked with my Placement Officer for first time, he tells me I’m being invited
June 11	Receive Invitation to Niger as a Municipal and Community Development Volunteer
June 12	Accepted my invitation
June 14	Submitted information for Peace Corps No-fee Passport and Visa
June 29	Received Staging Packet
July 24	Staging in Philadelphia
July 27	Begin Training in Niger

Still In The States, But Haven't Showered In Two Days

Sannu! (hello in Hausa)

Freshly, as of Sunday, back from Ethan's camp house which was a blast as usual and, like usual there was no electricity and it was July in west Alabama. If you did the math correctly, that should equal HOT! I was really excited about this year because I felt like I was training for Africa (no electricity and insane heat) but the temperatures were pleasant this year due to it raining the entire time. I think the veterans all felt like we missed out on something while all the newbies were confused by our longing for the "force you out of bed at 6:30 AM" type of heat.

I have showered since I left the camp house, that would have just been rude. But, for the last three days I've spent most of my day-time in the library studying Hausa/Zarma/French/History of the Decentralization of Niger. Then when Lindsay gets off work I come home and we spend the evening together. Apparently, during my pursuit of knowledge I've neglected to shower. Now I could just swipe things like that aside and pretend I'm trying to get ready for Africa, but I don't think it would go over too well.

Here is some information taken straight from my assignment information. I hope it helps shed some light on the type of work I'll be doing.

Under the direction of the Commune Mayors, Volunteers will:

• Advise and assist municipal councils in the organization and administration of municipal services;
• Train the councilors in participatory community needs assessment, strategic planning and project design and management techniques;
• Train municipal council members and technical service representatives in the use of computers and other information technologies
• Promote community organization, citizen participation, motivation and leadership;
• Assist the councils in building relationships with international and non-governmental aid organizations operating in the area;
• Help councils finance and implement small commune-level projects; and
• Collaborate with other Volunteers within the commune on both village-level and commune-wide projects. [emphasis added]

When I first read this list a few weeks ago, I was nearly astounded that all of this was going to be expected of me. I must admit, I was a little nervous about this. Now, I've received and read some of the history of the decentralization of Niger and I'm aware that it is an even bigger task than I expected. One I'm looking forward to. More to come about my assignment as I begin to understand more.

On a different note, I still haven't received my personal passport. I called the passport office yesterday morning and their computer was down, so they couldn't do anything. I called back later and couldn't get through to a person. Called again, same thing. Sat on hold at least an hour and a half yesterday. Called once more and sat on hold for twenty-four minutes, but I finally got to talk to someone and they are expediting my paperwork and I was told to check again on the 18th. Today makes thirteen weeks (website claims 10-12 weeks processing time) since I sent in my passport application, but they can't help you until your travel date is within 14 days--which was yesterday. It is tough to leave this country.

Two weeks from now I'll be in Niger.

Sai anjima (until later)

Invitation Information

Ok, now things have settled down a little and I'm still stoked about my assignment. Basically I'll be working in the mayor's office of whatever village, town, or city that I'll call home for the next two years (more on that later). This pic is me before I got my invitation (left, I'm not even wearing a watch) and after I read through it (right). I can't remember now, but I think I was excited. Everyone has been so supportive. I could not ask to be surrounded by more supportive people. Thanks.

I've had about two weeks to think about all of this and I'm more excited than ever. Of course I'm going to miss everyone here, but what is life if not an experience. And I'm going to be experiencing life under conditions that seem alien to everything I've ever known. I don't even know at this point if my site will have electricity or running water. I just keep telling myself, "Self, people have been living like that a lot longer than they haven't."

The people I've "met" online who are also going to Niger all seem like really great people. It seems that we have at least three different groups going: Municipal & Community Development, Community & Youth Education/Development, and Community Health Development/Health Extension. I'm thinking there will be a whole lot of shaking developing going on.

I know you have many questions, because at this moment I'm filled with them. Some how I am able to be at peace with not knowing all the answers to the questions. They will be answered soon enough. I'm hoping this comfort with confusion will help during my time in the Peace Corps.

I will post soon with more information about my program, Municipal and Community Development, and I will update as I learn more.

To whet your appetite for all things Niger, this information is a sample of what comes from the CIA's World Factbook (click to read more):

Location:	Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Area - comparative:	slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Climate:	desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Geography:	landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

Population:	12,894,865 (July 2007 est.)
Nationality:	noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups:	Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Touareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
Religions:	Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
Languages:	French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Government type:	republic
Capital:	name: Niamey time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Peace Corps Invitation

My Peace Corps invitation arrived Yesterday.

My invitation is to serve as a Municipal and Community Development Agent in Niger and staging will be July 24th - July 26th. I'll land in Niger on the 27th.

More details to come, currently focused on more paperwork.

I'm beyond excited right now.

ps Niger is pronounced nee-ZHER ( just think French)

What A Day

Part I

Well, this morning started out great. I got up, showered, breakfasted, and out the door. Traffic was minimal. The sun was shining and I'm sure that the birds were singing. I arrived at work and realized that I had left my cell phone at home.

After a quick panic attack, "What if my Peace Corps Placement Officer (PO) calls today, the one day I forgot my phone?" So, I called Lindsay from my work phone and being the wonderful fiancee she is, she brought me my phone. It's not even on the way. How sweet is that?

Ok, backtrack to Monday. I called the Africa Placement Office to ask if the "closeout out" date had passed on the July invitations. They ask for my name and social security number and tell me, "No, Mr. Jones people are still being invited into that program. Your PO has your paper work and will contact you soon."

A few days go by and now we are back to the present after I receive my cell phone. By the way, William sans cell phone felt very vulnerable. I guess I'll get over that soon--sink or swim. I'm sitting at my desk and I'm thinking, I need to hear something from the Peace Corps today or I might just freak out. It's June 7th and I'm supposed to leave some time in July. So, I call the Placement Office back and spoke to a different person. We go through the name and social security game and then I ask, "When is the last day for someone to be invited to the program I've been nominated for?"

"Tuesday", he responded.

I'm getting a little nervous at this point, "Wow, that's only three business days." We both fake laugh.

He assures me that if I am being invited to the program I was nominated for, I will know soon. Then I get back to work and he gets back to work and that's that.


Part II

The day goes on normally. I looked through some charts, I entered some data, I took my lunch. After lunch I ran some errands and while I'm in Light Hall at approximately 1:13 in the PM I received a phone call from a 202 area code. Jackpot! Washington DC, PC HQ. I answered my phone and there's no one there. It rang again. "Hello? William Jones, this is your Placement Officer from the Peace Corps." He gave me his name and asked me a few questions about my romantic involvement. Apparently romantic involvement is one of most common reasons people ET (early termination). He lets me know that I will be getting my invitation by FedEx on Saturday or Monday.

At that point all of the heavens rejoiced and all seemed right with the world even if only for a moment.


Part Last

Well, I wish I had more information, but I won't until I receive my invitation packet. Wish good tidings upon the FedEx folk.

Things I am pretty sure it will include:
My invitation (which I must accept/decline within five days of receiving it, no big deal)
Welcome Book(Country information either on CD or an internet link, supposedly very exhaustive)
Suggested packing list
Forms for the no-fee passport and work visa (HOOrah, more forms!)

Things I wish it would include:
A clean up crew
Solar-powered Nintendo Wii
The answer to this riddle


[warning: none of the dialogue presented above is entirely accurate]