Mapping My Futures, redux
Yesterday my Peace Corps screening nurse spoke to a placement officer on my behalf, apprising her of my situation, and giving me her number to answer any of my what-if questions. I called and left a message. Today I heard back and received some sobering if not disappointing news.
The latest which I could be medically qualified for the program for which I was nominated would be the 18th of August, about what I expected. However, there are only 3 positions left in that program and as other applicants become medically qualified the spots would be filled, potentially as soon as next week.
This means that I had better get my blood tested again as soon as possible (and well before the doctor would recommend) to have a chance at leaving in September. In order for this to happen I will have to be able to schedule an appointment at the lab at my doctor’s office and receive the results as quickly as possible. In other words, in order for me to depart on schedule everything will have to go smoothly, starting tomorrow. I believe that I have the screening nurse on my side but there are probably others just like me that the screening nurse has to preference just as much as me.
Should this not happen there are 2 options that the placement officer gave me: either I could teach myself French for positions in Sub-Saharan Africa leaving in October or I could simply wait for the new year to roll around when the programs start to depart again (the Peace Corps must be apprehensive about having training occur over the holiday season). Although I would not mind learning French I would prefer serving in Latin America to work on my Spanish more. If that means waiting an additional 4 months then so be it.
Should this be it there are a couple options that I may be considered for:
Approximate Agriculture and Forestry Extension positions available in Central & South America sorted by month of departure. The "#" indicates the number of positions in the AgFo program for that country. Data from Peace Corps Wiki's Timeline and Placement Calculator.
If I am renominated for a January departure then I may be sent to either Nicaragua or Guatemala; February means Paraguay, Ecuador, El Salvador and Honduras.
CAVEAT: The above chart is using data from departures for all programs so AgFo may not be departing each of the months. YMMV
I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Nothing worth having is easily won. Have hope.
Hey Adam,
Thank you so much for your help! I think I have it figured out but the country it tells me- Guinea, which according to the website is currently a suspended program. I was nominated for a December departure date to Sub-Saharan Africa to work with the Health Extension program. This seems to be the only place that fits the December departure date. I guess I could be with the first group to go back in 2010?
Hey Adam- I was wondering how you made all of these deductions, where you got your information. I would love to do the same as I anticipate my assignment. Thanks! -Whitney
Hi Whitney,
If you are referring to the graph then it’s actually rather easy to do, it’s just hard to first wrap your mind around it.
To start, go to http://peacecorpswiki.org/Timeline and find all the countries that fit your geographic preference. For me, I had specified Central and South America so I only included those. Also on that page I made note of when there were departures for those countries.
Second, go to http://peacecorpswiki.org/Calculator and enter in your geographic preferences and assignment. You will then be presented with a list of the number of volunteers who share your assignment in the countries you specified.
If you are still stuck then I can make a similar graph for your geographic preference and assignment. Good luck!