An invitation leads to...

more paperwork!!

I received my formal invitation last Saturday, the 6th.  It came in the form of a giant packet, with information on what I should do next and on my country and position. I'll be serving as an agroforestry volunteer in Guinea, leaving November 28th.  After immediately sending in my acceptance of the invitation, I read through everything I could as fast as I could.  Then I started looking up even more info online.  As a heads up, if you are researching Guinea, be prepared to look over a lot of websites on guinea pig care.

With the packet came a request for more forms.  I had to turn in an updated resume and aspiration statement that will get sent to Guinea's country office.  I also had to apply for a new, government passport and a visa. Now I'm waiting to see what the medical office will need from me and motivating myself to study french everyday.

A bientot!

I'll have an invitation by next week!!

Just got off the phone with my Placement Officer. She was super super nice and asked me questions about whether I felt ready, knew about the challenges PCV's face, etc.  It was a short conversation, about 15 minutes, and at the end she said I would be receiving an invitation within the week!! It's for agroforestry in sub-saharan africa, leaving November 28th, so I'm pretty sure it's Guinea. Sooooooooo excited!!

How Not to Write About Africa

I love this article by Binyavanga Wainaina.  Anyone who is writing, or reading, about about their time in an African country should read this. And so, since I'll be doing just that, I figured those of you reading my blog might be interested in reading this too!

http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-about-Africa/Page-1

The Dreaded Timeline

Considering how many other timelines I have read while waiting to hear anything from the placement office, it seemed only fair that I post my own timeline for people to look at for some sort of reassurance that they haven't been forgotten.

January 8th, 2011: Submitted written application

February 4th, 2011: Interview

February 9th, 2011: Received nomination for French speaking Africa doing environmental education with a departure date in late November

February-March 2011: Worked on the medical/dental applications

March 17th, 2011: Sent in medical application

March 29th, 2011: Medically cleared

July 11th, 2011: Called Placement Office because I hadn't heard from a placement officer yet.  Sent in a transcript and updated resume

August 1st, 2011: Contact with Placement Officer

August 6th, 2011: Received my official invitation to serve in Guinea, leaving Nov. 28th

November 27th, 2011: Staging in Philadelphia

November 28th, 2011: JFK> Brussels> Banjul> Conakry