Yes, I'm back (said with head hung low in shame). After a great deal of persuasion and promises of a lifetime supply of Reese's buttercups, I've been talked into re-activating this little blog o'mine...even though my PC service ended 3 years ago...even though I've started up other blogs...even though I promised you in the previous post that I would be out like a light...suffice it to say...I'm back and we'll see how this goes!
You may be wondering...where in hell have you been (maybe not, but I had to start this post off somewhere, right?) and what can life look like after Peace Corps?! Well, that's an easy question to answer, Dear Reader! I've been going strong in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho for the past going on three years!....and a few other places in between:
Lesotho
Egypt
World Cup Feva in South Africa (in Rustenburg no less...my PC site)
Ethiopia
Zambia
I am the proud mother of a stinky, burping, snorting, sleeping, scooting, squish-faced Bulldog named Beef-Wellington!
So as you can see, I've been kinda busy over the past 3 years! In starting up this blog again, I hope to express to you in not only words, but images as well, what one Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) did with her life post service. Furthermore, I hope to encourage you, through my own experience, to get out and see the world...learn through doing...expand...stretch...grow...challenge yourself...actively engage your world...and realize that the world is not only what you see on the O'Reilly Factor or even CNN.
...and if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to give you an unfiltered answer. I've always enjoyed a two way conversation, myself.....
Until next time!
Danielle
5 comments:
Yay! I for one am glad to come across an RPCV still blogging, and still in Africa for that matter.
Grad school is next on my list after Peace Corps but that's only because I have no idea what it will be like to live in Rwanda, if I'll like it or be able to take it. But I haven't ruled out the possibility of staying past my service.
Is your position so different from extending for a third year? I'm curious about why you didn't do that but moved back for a job. Aside from the fact you probably live somewhere more populated than with PC.
Heidi :)
Well thank you very much for your encouragement to continue on my little (post)-Peace Corps blog!
I completed grad school prior to entering the PC, but met many people (before, during and after) who have joined at all stages of life. Whatever works best for you is the right decision!
Extending service is a very cool option which I considered towards the end of my service. I even considered working as a PC Response Volunteer for a short-term service opportunity, but decided to take on a more formalized job (read: paying job) because I viewed PC as a stepping stone to working abroad and not an end point. My PC experience undoubtedly helped me to get my foot in the door to working abroad as a career on a long-term basis, whereas I knew that PC would end at some point and would be still left trying to identify how I could continue my interest/support myself.
My current position is different from PC in that 1) it pays (woohoo), 2) will last as long as I'd like to stay, 3) I have a lot more freedom and flexibility to live my life the way I want without the restrictions of PC (not to say that I didn't have a certain amount of freedom and flexibility while in service).
Where I live is actually the capital of the country, but my PC site was a great deal more urban. One cool thing about PC service is that it doesn't always fit the traditional image of service: rural, collecting water from the community well, huts, etc. My site, Rustenbrug, was equipped with internet cafes, casinos, malls, fancy cars & houses, etc. The urban life brings its own set of unique challenges, but would not have traded it for the world!
Hello Danielle.
I stumbled across your blog as i am deciding whether of not i should continue my application to peace corps. i am currently a grad student at tulane school of public health (dept fo international hlth and dev). the original plan was to leave for peace corps service in early 2012 to complete the masters requirements. but, i am now considering doing a fellowship through the cdc or compete for a fulbright-fogarty fellowhip in public health.
peace corps has always been a dream to me but i am now 30 years old and in the middle of a career transition, as i just finished podiatry residency and work part time as a podiatrist. can u shed some light as to the environment of peace corps? will it really give me a professional edge?
owmy
obouloute@gmail.com
Dani! I'm so happy I found your blog and you are "active." I am considering joining the Peace Corp and currently I am doing my research. I would love to ask you a few questions if you have the time. Is there a way I could email you?
Hello Owmy,
Professional edge, huh? Well, I'd rather you think of Peace Corps as your opportunity to fulfill a dream rather than a "professional edge". I say this because, while PC tries their very best to match you with your experience and dream PC job- if you have one, there are no guarantees. Peace Corps service can be an air toss at times. You might envision that PC will allow you to work at the Lesotho Ministry of Health to develop national policies and guidelines, but are placed in a rural community helping communities to set up pit latrines. On the other hand, plenty o'PCVs and RPCVs alike will tell you that your service is what you make of it. You have the opportunity to do amazing things if you're willing to deal with the frustrations and joys that come along with it. If you manage to have a successful PC service, you will be able to check PC off the list of all of the other amazing things you've already done...and won't have to look back in 20 years when you have a wife and 2.5 kids and say, "I used to want to do the PC" or "I regret...", which I've heard from pretty much everyone who has asked me about my service. On another note, PC is often a great platform to get into international development, but not the only way mind you. I'm really sorry if I'm not giving you the crystal ball answer you may have hoped for. From what you've told me, you seem to have a lot of great options ahead of you...CDC (look at you boy!)...Fullbright fellowship (I barely know how to spell that...j/k)...PC (awesome). The good thing is that people from all walks and stages of life decide to do PC. Several people in my group were actually mid-career, early career, and nearing retirement...so there is no right way of doing it. It all boils down to how you want to order your life. Another good thing to know is that...PC will be waiting for you when and if you decide to take that step! If you want to mull over it more with me or want me to direct you to another RPCV or a currently serving PCV, email me at expatdani@gmail.com. Hope this helps!
Hey there Jonnie!
Sure, I'd love to chat with you...and I promise I'll respond to you faster than I did on this here blog...I forget that I'm supposed to be updating it at times! My email for this blog is expatdani@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you and hope I can give you one RPCV's perspective on serving in the PC!
Best,
Dani
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