There is a Mexican "dicho" (saying) that reminds me of my journey prior to arriving in México to become a Peace Corps Volunteer:
"Poco a Poco, Paso a Paso,"
which means "Bit by Bit, Step by Step"
which means "Bit by Bit, Step by Step"
In
this I blog will discuss this process of preparing for the Peace Corps.
The
Process of Deciding if Peace Corps was for Me
I always wanted to
volunteer or work with communities in-need, I just wasn’t sure what "nivel" (level) I wanted to participate in. I worked
or volunteered at all "niveles" except the international "nivel" (https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jessica-helgesen/52/123/722 ).
I also knew I wanted to help others through the transfer of skills (ie, give a
person a fish versus teach a person to fish). To help decide if I wanted to "aplicar" (apply), I attended an informational session at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison and asked questions to many of my friends
and co-workers who participated in the Peace Corps program.
All
had the same "consejo"
(advice):
“It is what you make it.”
“It is what you make it.”
About to turn 25, I felt "motivada" (motivated) for a positive change in my life. For example, I wanted a change in my current
job and work in an environmental field again in order to use my degree and passion for creating sustainable communities, etc. I also had the travel bug. I knew that I wanted to continue to explore beyond the U.S. "frontera" (boundary) and my own personal "límites" (boundaries), to be more well-rounded and to better understand the world beyond myself. To be certain that Peace Corps was for me, I began exploring texts that
discussed Peace Corps and traveling in general.
I highly suggest reading
these "libros"
(books) or "libros" similar to these before one applies or during
the process:
After self exploration of Peace Corps and talking with friends, family and mentors (thanks all for your time, support and encouragement) I decided to take the dive and apply to serve in the Peace Corps.
Here is a blurb from my Peace Corps essay in my application to get an idea of my reasoning to serve, etc:
“My calling for the Peace Corps first developed in my hometown of Bellevue, Wisconsin. I witnessed unsustainable development practices, which spliced natural and agricultural lands in my community, resulting in fragmentation of the land. This drove me to my career goal of serving in the ecological sustainability planning field. I had the Peace Corps in the back of my mind throughout college. I pushed myself to take advantage of options to go to other cities and countries to research, volunteer, intern, and attend international conferences. Studying abroad and travelling abroad in general has also taught me how different, yet similar, cultures are all over the world. In addition, it has shown me how difficult it can be to live far away from family and friends back home, but that the gains from the new experiences far outweigh the difficulties of being abroad. In the future I foresee myself working for the federal government with an agency such as the EPA, or for a non-profit organization at the local or regional level. “
Interviewing and Site Location
Peace Corps conducted "la entrevista" ( the interview) in Chicago, IL. That day I was so "nerviosa" (nervous) and was so lucky that one of my friends had a "prueba"(test) in a building nearby and was able to take me there. Thankfully, my sister and parents practiced doing mock interviews prior, so I felt prepared. The "entrevista" lasted about an hour long and at the end they told me that I was in. Unofficially in, but in…. and it wouldn’t be until I sent a bunch information in before I could be considered for a position with Peace Corps. So I waited, and waited and then sent information in…but continued on with my "trabajo" (job) as a Bilingual Family Outreach worker at the Head Start Program.
Later, after "el gobierno" (the government) shutdown passed, I received "un correo electronico" (an e-mail) stating that I would be considered for the México program. I edited my resume and goals to fit Peace Corps México’s questions and focus and waited. In the meantime I started organizing my life as if I would travel to México as my place of service.
Once I received the notice that I was accepted in México, I was excited, shocked, and confused. I didn’t realize that Peace Corps was in México and I was also selected for a vague project about GIS (Geographical Informational Systems). Nonetheless, I was excited because I received all my preferences….
- "Localización" (Location): Latin America
- "Idioma" (Language): Spanish
- "Programa" (Program): related to the environment, preferably planning
- "Hora de salida" (Departure time): soon
"Que Suerte!!!! " (How lucky!)
(Update 7-16-14... Peace Corps now allows volunteers to select site and positions. See article on the change here):
Washington Post Article on Application Changes
(Update 7-16-14... Peace Corps now allows volunteers to select site and positions. See article on the change here):
Washington Post Article on Application Changes
Accepting the Position
I knew it was right for me because I realized through all my research, informal interviews and overall passion aligned with the Peace Crops mission. Thus, I began my transition to accepting my offer to Peace Corps.
I accepted the position and began making a list of things I needed to do for Peace Corps and myself. I focused on goals that were important to me and/or required by Peace Corps.
Peace Corps
- Complete Financial Form, call bank about accounts and cards abroad and contact school loan companies about deferments and download all the forms for school loans (time consuming process)
- Complete all the health paperwork and exam (I did this as soon as possible because it is a lot of work)
- Complete Visas and Passport information (this was also urgent
- Do a Spanish interview on the phone with Peace Corps México’s’ language teacher (practiced speaking Spanish with my sister Caitlin, friends and co-workers and families at the Head Start)
- Figure out my flight with Peace Corps
- Read paperwork Peace Corps provided and do more investigation on Mexico
- Send thank you letters or call those who helped a long the way
- Figure out voting abroad and updating my license
- Etc.
Myself
- Collect e-mails for an e-mail blast and addresses to send mail
- Make plans to visit people I hadn’t seen in awhile and those I wanted to see as much as possible!!
- Do yoga and journal multiple days per week
- Enjoy the outdoors
- Create a photobook online to bring with (friends, family, pets, etc)
- Find someone who could take care of my cat Penguin for 2 years
- Make sure families at the Head Start program had a transition plan to a new Family Outreach Worker after I left the agency
- Take a month off from my job to relax and move and organize my life
- Pack and donate belongings (donated my dishes, bed and desk to a family who found a home after being homeless for a really long time… and then donated a large portion of my clothing to the East Madison Community Center)
- List of things I want to bring (I will elaborate this on a later post when I figure out was useful and unnecessary)
- List of things I needed to purchase that I wanted to bring (that was within the budget)
- Make a budget, and then redo the budget for how much I wanted to save for traveling while in Peace Corps; Goal $3,000… ended up with over $3,000 and how much I could spend on supplies and what I wanted to spend in the US (later blog on this)
- Read up on Mexico
- Etc.
Surprises from Family and Friends
- Those contacting me before I left or sending me supportive messages
- A packet of inspirational bracelets
- Postcards and stamps to send letters
- A spiral ring of inspirational quotes
- A bag of written letters from my friends and family (my sister Caitlin organized this and helps sooo much when I need just a little support from home… my other sister Michelle wrote me a letter for EVERY month!) Wow!
- A calendar for every month I will be in Mexico with pictures of me and things I wrote growing up in Wisconsin (thanks parentals)
- French Press
- Transportation kit for the plane and bus (cute lil gadgets for the trip)
- Children at the Head Start drew handprints on two tote bags and made little art pieces
- Steri pen (UV water purifier) and solar panel to charge it!
- A few books and journals
- Nexus tablet (Peace Corps)
- Surprise visits from friends
- Just so much support (how lucky)
- Etc!
Leaving Wisconsin
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| Sals and I :) |
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| Stephanie and I celebrating Peace Corps and her b-day :) |
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| ev, me, becks and petah :D |
I had a couple goodbye parties and was able to see the majority of those great people in my life. I didn't get to see everyone, but will see them when I come back to the states or when they visit México ;)
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| Al, me and Ang enjoying smoothies one more time! |
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| Adventure in chi-town, watching Phantom!! |
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| Celebrating Becky-boos bday :) |
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| Visiting my Grandma, Carol, with my fam |
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| Showing her pictures from my Everglades roadtrip and how to use Skype |
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| Neelu and I watching Frozen and having a henna party :) |
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| Moving and packing crew.... thanks ladies! |
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| Kim helping me move! |
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| Penguin, not helping me pack. haha |
I woke up early with my parents and purchased some last minute things and then it was off to the airport. I had a bittersweet goodbye with the 'rents and then off to the terminal. As I walked through the terminal there was a pleasant surprise of one of my Head Start parents. This parent thanked me for my time at the program and said that they would miss me and appreciated all that I did and knows that I would do great in the Peace Corps program. This made me smile, and later cry, but helped fill the circle of knowing that indeed this was the right decision.
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| With my parents before boarding |
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| On my way! |
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| Vamos! Let's go! |
