COnt…
Remember me saying I had started my Masters of Public Administration? Well, my department in the City of Columbus was helping me pay for it. As part of the agreement to pay for my school and books, I was required to stay with the department 2 years post graduation date. I was set to graduate May 2021. Therefore, I couldn’t quit to join the Peace Corps until May 2023. I had bought a house, made more money that I had ever made, was loved in my career and had a puppy. I was established and settled and happy (and very single). Still, I dreamt of joining and knew that’s what I wanted.
The application process for the Peace Corps can take almost a year. Therefore, you can pretty much apply up to a year in advance. Because I had decided to apply under “Serve where needed most” which is a blanket application to wherever opens up and not a specific site placement with a specific date of departure, I started my application process around May of 2022.
This is where it gets juicy.
I ended up meeting the love of my life.
He’s from Gambia.
We start dating July 2022.
This human made me the happiest woman.
I got an interview for Peace Corps Zambia.
In January 2023, I attended a work conference where I was a presenter and I snuck away to interview in my hotel for Peace Corps Zambia (because I had applied under “Send me wherever”).
I remember panicking a little during my interview and just felt very conflicted. I felt thankful to be considered for something I had dreamed so long about but also very sad at the thought of leaving my life and love to live 2 years in East Africa.
At some point I blurted out “I don’t know if this is appropriate or would sound inconsiderate during an official interview for Zambia, but I need to be honest that I would really love to be considered to serve in The Gambia instead.” The interviewer paused and said “Oh! Okay! No problem, I will send over your application to someone I know over the program in Gambia.” I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to go so well.
I was officially invited to serve in The Gambia in the beginning of May 2023 and I quit my job. I spent my summer 2023 with my friends and family and the love of my life.
Two weeks before my departure date, he asked me to marry him and We are officially engaged!
He only taught me about 3 Mandinka words the entire summer that I could have been picking his brain, but we give grace.
Cheers!
(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.)