My Peace Corps Timeline

When I was waiting to find out whether I would receive an invitation to join Peace Corps, I remember reading several blog posts by various PCVs regarding their "timelines" from applying to arriving in country. Here's mine, in case it's helpful for any prospective Volunteers. 

April 28, 2016: Applied for Secondary Education English Teacher position in Albania because I have TESOL training and wanted to go to Eastern Europe. Program leave date: March 2017.
(Peace Corps had recently updated the application process, and I thought that I had to apply for a specific country and position. Additionally, after speaking with a recruiter, my impression was that I should apply for English teaching instead of Community Development.)

May 4, 2016: Placed under consideration for Albania

May 6, 2016: Received request for interview for Albania

May 11, 2016: Interviewed for Secondary Education English Teacher position in Albania

May 11-August 25, 2016: Waited. Got a layoff notice from my old job. Road tripped across the country and visited friends and national parks. 

August 25, 2016: Received email explaining that the recruiter was making her final decisions and asking if I was still committed to the program. Sent reply from motel room in Nebraska saying that I was still committed to the program.

September 1, 2016: Received email informing me that I was not selected for the Secondary Education English Teacher position in Albania

September 2016: Disappointed, and still conducting an intensive job search. Then learned that one of my dearest friends would be getting married in April 2017 and was ecstatic that I would not leave the U.S. in March and miss her wedding!

September 29, 2016: Applied again, this time requested Eastern Europe but said I was willing to be considered for other places

September 29, 2016: Received email saying that I was being considered for Moldova. I was surprised by this, and although I knew of Moldova I did a Google search to see if I'd want to accept an interview if it was offered. Decided Moldova looked like an interesting place!

October 17, 2016: Received request to interview for Community Services Volunteer position in Moldova

October 27, 2016: Interviewed for Community Services Volunteer position in Moldova

**November 7: Received invitation to become a Community Services Volunteer in Moldova, departing June 3, 2017. Accepted invitation. 

November 8, 2016: Received all kind of info and tasks to complete for medical and legal clearance

December 2016-March 2017: Went to more medical appointments than I can remember!

**February 7, 2017: Received email notification that legal clearance was granted

March 28-April 5, 2017: Received welcome emails from country desk officer and was matched with a mentor from the the previous group of Moldova PCVs. (I remember thinking how advanced PC Moldova was if they went above and beyond in this way and knew how important providing mentors is!! I was able to talk to my mentor about her experience, and ask her all kinds of questions about packing, etc.) 

**April 7, 2017: Received final medical and dental clearance via online PC medical portal (also received email confirmation the next day)

April 26, 2017: Received email with Staging information and information about Skype call with country desk officer and Post staff

May 2017: More tasks/paperwork regarding Moldovan residency cards, cell phones, etc. Packing/storing my stuff, selling my car, quitting my jobs, packing for Moldova, and saying goodbye to friends and family.

May 21, 2017: Received final email confirmation with info for flight from Seattle to Philadelphia for Staging 

June 4, 2017: Flew to Philadelphia for Staging

June 7, 2017: Arrived in Moldova to start Pre-Service Training (PST!)