It's really funny how timing works out. I was an anxious mess these past two weeks, between my last contact with the Placement Office and studying for the GMAT. I took the GMAT yesterday, scored a little lower than I wanted but still fine in the grand scheme of things, and thought to myself how funny it would be if Peace Corps called me while my phone was off and I was testing.
Murphy's Law. I get back home, am casually browsing through my personal email, and after checking a few others first, see one from an unfamiliar name with the title "Checking In." Turns out Joseph in Placement had been trying to reach me and had trouble with my voicemail and was only able to reach my mom at home! I called him back as requested (okay, called him back four times) but sadly didn't get in touch with him. Sent him an email letting him know that my voicemail was fixed or he could try my office number tomorrow (today).
So I got the call this morning! I had learned my lesson about wishful thinking with Peace Corps, so assumed that he was just going to give me a timeframe in which they would be making a decision, or maybe a little more info on what dates/locations they were looking at. But he said that they were ready to extend an unofficial placement to me...
SOUTH AMERICA - EARLY/MID JUNE
COMMUNITY DEV'T WITH BUSINESS FOCUS
If I was happy with the placement (yes yes yes!!) then my official invitation packet would be coming in the mail next week, with more specific info about the country and assignment.
I am elated. From Peace Corps Wiki it looks like Peru is very likely since it is the only South American country currently issuing invites for June (staging June 9), but I want to keep my mind open the possibility that it's somewhere else. In 2010 they sent a group to Paraguay on June 1...
So it looks like I am going to have an awkwardly timed return, around mid September, just in time to not enter an MBA program. But overall I think that's fine, since maybe I can find a good job for 10/11 months to get myself back on my feet financially. Plus, I am very excited about the small business focus of my placement, since that aligns even more directly with my career interests.
To the other nominees who are in this boat with me, I am 100% rooting for you to hear your placements soon!! Jessica, Sherlie and others, maybe we will end up in the same country!! If it helps in terms of planning at all, Joseph said that for C/SA they don't have much open earlier than June.
Can't wait to have more details next week :)
Congrats and best wishes!
ReplyDeletejealous!jealous!jealous! but equally if not more happy for you. Breathe! thanks for the words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! You must be so psyched. Can't wait to hear where you're going!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! I got so excited when I saw your post! So your program is definitely one of the choices that I was given. I'm leaning towards the one that leaves May 25th though since it has less of a business focus and more of a community development focus than your program. But you never know, we could very well end up in the same program! I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to hear which country you're going to! Sherlie-You're next!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah congrats! aaaand early June invites get back late August! My staging is June 2 and my service ends August 20, so plenty of time for grad school! :)
ReplyDeletefelicidades kim! so exciting to hear that you are going to go live in south america/probably peru! will be thinking of you in june, and hope you have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWay to be Kim! Can't tell you how excited I am for you! Well deserved, finally. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it soon...
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