Joining the Peace Corps has involved a lot.
packing, googling, endless medical clearance stuff ( I should do a dedicated post about that, but I don’t even want to think about it), etc. One thing that joining the peace corps has involved most of all has been explaining what the peace corps is.
WHen you quit your fulltime job with amazing benefits, give up your cute house, let your fiance have your dog, and take the entire summer off, people often ask what the heck I am doing with my life. “I joined the Peace corps!” inevitably gets met with “Cool! what’s that??” So, in all my efforts to explain, here is a brief synopsis of service.
Currently, I Am writing this in the Sonesta Hotel in downtown Philly.
THis is Day #1 of my peace corps journey; the first day of what they call staging. I cried all morning as i said goodbye to my fiance when he dropped me off at the airport.
STaging is a brief, yet intense orientation to the expectations of Peace Corps that will help prepare me to make an impactful and respectful first impression with staff in The Gambia.
October 3rd: Fly Columbus to Philly
October 4th: Staging event
October 5th: Bus Philly to JFK & Fly JFK to Brussels
October 6th: Fly Brussels to Banjul, the Gambia
Now, what is the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps is a United States volunteer organization. It was created in March 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The mission of the Peace Corps is to promote world peace and friendship by providing trained volunteers to countries who need them.
Peace Corps Volunteers Serve for two years plus three months of training for an opportunity to INTEGRATE into a host country community.
A Three-Step training approach:
Phase one Pre-Service Training (PST1)- The first 8 weeks in Gambia. this is an intense time dedicated to technical skills, language & culture, health, and Safety and security training at the Massembeh training center. During this time I will be living with a host family in the training village learning as much as I can from them while also traveling to stay periodically at the training center.
Swearing in date is Wednesday November 29th
on this day the oath of service will be administered and I will become an official peace corps the Gambia volunteer.
Phase two In-Service Training (PST2)- The first three months at permanent site after being sworn in. After living with my first host family in the training village, I will be sent to my assigned village or town. THis is called the “community Entry” period. I will improve my language skills, integrate into my community and carry out an assessment of the needs of the worksite.
Phase three In-Service Training (PST3)- A three week-long training to receive more technical training specific to my sector and some additional language training.
The Peace Corps provides each Volunteer with a living stipend that enables one to live in a manner similar to the local people of their community covering housing, food, and incidentals. Additionally, Volunteers receive two vacation days per month of service—a total of 48 days over two years. I can use this time to travel to nearby countries, invite family or friends to visit, or take a trip home.
I will return home December 2025!
(The content of this website is mine alone and does not reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Gambian Government.)