Wow, the people at the Worldwide Peace Corps Blog Directory are very fast. This blog is already on it. It must be cause I linked to them in my application process article.

It’s funny how full of exclamation points the discussion boards are. For instance, we don’t want to type:

“I’m got my invitation. It’s for the Caribbean. I leave in August. Anyone going there also?”

It seems so normal. So ho-hum. Instead, we write something like this:

“OMG I’m SOOO excited!!! I got my invitation for the Caribbean!! I can’t wait to leave!”

I’m as guilty as the next person. But we wouldn’t really announce it in real life to people with the same enthusiasm. Well, maybe the first person, but not after the 9th person I tell. Really, I sound more like the first quote.

It’s also funny because my sense, almost my obligation (because who wouldn’t be super excited, and isn’t something wrong with me if I’m not), of excitement, extends to things that seem a little weird to be exclaiming about. For example, I recently wrote a post on a message board that went something like this:

“You’re going to Dominica? I’m going to Dominica too! I’m so excited!!”

I think the last sentence there was a little unnecessary.

But what’s with all the exclamation points? Am I excited I’m going to Dominica? Sure. But am I excited to be going with this particular person? Well, I have really no idea who they are, so while I’m excited that I know someone else who is going, I can’t say I’m super excited about them in particular. But I can’t put a period because then it sounds like I am unexcited about any of it.

I think as long as I don’t start adding exclamation points to the really mundane things, like this:

“You guys are bringing three pairs of pants? I think I’m going to bring four!! I heard cotton pants are a lot cooler! I’m also going to bring a picture of my mom!”

I’ll be ok.

its like the English language can’t handle electronic communication.  We need a new symbol at the end of sentences meaning, “I’m pretty psyched about this, but I’m not yelling or anything.”

(in good humor)

I know I still have a few months to go, but I’ve been compiling a list of things I want to bring with me. There are some restrictions, in that I’m limited to 80 lbs of checked luggage, and some height, width, depth measurement. But the biggest issue I’ve had so far is determining whether some things are a good idea in terms of the image they present.

For example, some of the forums have discussions about sunglasses. Sunglasses typify a larger issue; mainly what walking into an extremely poor community with $120 sunglasses says. I think many PCVs are tied to the idea of Peace Corps service as an adventure, and they want all the trappings of an adventurous trip. Then there is also the valid argument of UV protection for your eyes. I am not innocent of this.

The same question presents itself for clothing, backpacks, watches, sandals, shoes, etc… if we arrive looking like a walking REI catalog, what does that do to our credibility?

The idea of living in a community with gear that is outrageously beyond their income level bothers me. Does it contribute to the image that community members might have of rich Americans? If so, does our image as rich Americans signify to them that we are not really involved in our work, whatever that might be? Many volunteers in tourist areas have problems convincing the locals that they aren’t just there for vacation. This seems to be worse in the Caribbean, where so much of foreign travel is for tourist reasons. I suspect the ‘adventure gear’ contributes pretty significantly to the problem.

On the other hand, I fully believe in the usefulness of a laptop and any other tools of the trade. Where to draw the distinction? What qualifies as useful versus merely fulfilling an image? On The Decision Strategist, I’ve often talked about the idea that we have stories and metaphors that we like to tell about ourselves, and that we buy things to fulfill that image. What is valid gear and what is over the top? For example, do Chacos represent a sensible alternative to shoes in a climate that is very warm and humid (I sweat profusely)? Or are they only worn by tourists as they walk along the beach? Is a watch useful as an alarm clock and timepiece, or is it another showpiece in an attempt to fit an image?

I plan, at the very least, on bringing some sandals and running/hiking shoes (Chacos or Tevas), a watch, a laptop, a camera, lots of SD memory cards, possibly a GPS unit (mapping is fun!), my headlamp, climbing shoes, backpack, and water filter.

From the beginning I want to emphasize to my community that my goal for being there is to work with them (and learn from them). But I want to have fun too, which means at least occasionally exploring the surrounding mountains and oceans.

My hope, and I think it’s true, is that actions speak louder than belongings. I could show up without anything I listed above, and spend every day (for example) drinking and hanging out as much as possible, and convey a much less serious attitude to my community than if I bring expensive gear and demonstrate a strong desire to work (though I’m sure my definition of that word will be challenged).

I guess in the end its all part of adapting to a new culture and living standard, but I’d prefer my first impression to be a positive one, rather than have to make headway against an initial reputation as a tourist.

Let me finish by saying I don’t mean to judge what anyone is bringing or not bringing, this is just something I’ve been thinking about with respect to my own packing list.

This article was originally posted on my personal blog here. Further updates on the application process and better descriptions of the process will happen on this site.

This is a chronological list of all the things you have to do from the time you apply to the time you leave. I will add to it as new things come up.

Make sure to use online forums and other resources as you consider Peace Corps and go through the application process. They are great for answering questions and providing support. The Worldwide Peace Corps Blog Directory is a great place to find writings by PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers). Yahoo groups has several Peace Corps groups, including peacecorps2, where many excellent topics are discussed. Along those lines, consider joining the facebook group futurepcvs if you use facebook.

• Thinking about applying. There are lots of difficult, personal (and interpersonal) questions here. Thinking about them now can save trouble later.

• Applying. Generally done online, though it can be done on paper. You need your references to fill out a form online. Allow at least a few weeks.

• Interview. Expect some typical questions about what you want to do, why you want to join, etc… but also be ready to discuss how you will make cultural adjustments and what coping mechanisms you might use to deal with stress.

• Legal Clearance. Requires fingerprints and a background check. Nothing serious here. Takes only a day, but allow maybe a week to actually submit it.

• Regional Interview and Nomination. A regional director called me to discuss a couple of different nominations and get my thoughts on them. I think this was three weeks after I submitted my legal documents.

• Medical and Dental Clearance. Getting medical clearance can be a pain if you suffer from some conditions. It is made easier if you fill out all the paperwork before you visit the doctor/dentist, and bring everything with you so that they can do everything in one visit. I think mine took two visits because they didn’t have a polio vaccine the first time. It took me over 3 months because I waited to make appointments, so be proactive with this.

• Placement Office Contact. A placement officer will call or email at some point to discuss your position and get a better feel for who you are and what you can do. This can be months after you get medical clearance, and the wait is very difficult. Message boards can be a great place to commiserate with others in the same position. Try not to bug PO’s and don’t give out their contact info. They are often behind and very busy.

• Invitation. Your invitation arrives in a big blue plastic binder. It’s very exciting. You have 10 days from the time you receive it to reply by calling your placement officer and telling them you accept. Make sure you really consider it, because they will ask you some questions.

• Post Invitation Paperwork. Includes applying for a passport and sending off a resume and aspiration statement.

• Make Travel Plans. Peace Corps contracts out their travel plan work to a private company. Roughly 4 weeks before your staging, they send you a staging kit that includes information on how to make your travel plans to get to your staging city.

• Staging. From what I gather, basically two days of ice-breakers and paperwork.

• Departure. After 2 days of staging, you leave for your country of service.

That’s it. All told it will take me a full year. Primarily because I started a year before I wanted to leave, but also because I didn’t complete my medical clearance as quickly as I could have.

Good luck.

I’ve established this blog as a separate space for my two years in the Peace Corps. My own personal blog is The Decision Strategist. Over the next few months I will be developing this blog further, adding features and getting ready for my departure, which is in August for the Eastern Caribbean.