|
GrandpaPants posted:Got the invitation to work in Liberia. Even the interviewer admitted that Liberia was on the rather extreme end of the spectrum, so I'm waffling between (admittedly selfish) concerns about, say, availability of electricity and Internet and the number of opportunities and work I can do there. On the one hand, the Internet provides an outlet not just for mental destressing (and stuff like music and movies and books), but also to just learn about stuff. I downloaded a poo poo ton of teaching references when I was doing JET. But a part of me is like, maybe this is what I need to actually get out there and engage with a community and be an active member of the community. I really don't know, but I'm sort of gravitating towards declining and reapplying for another post, but I'd love to hear thoughts. You'll adapt. All my hobbies and work revolved around the computer (programming, mechanical engineering, etc) and I moved to a place with enough cell reception to check email and send text messages and electricity for one or two hours a day. I spent a lot of my time learning new hobbies which was awesome - painting, drawing, gardening, photography, cooking, etc. I also did manage to get a system going (phone + SD cards + small USB battery packs + Bluetooth keyboard) that allowed me to do most of the stuff I wanted such as writing blog posts, watching movies, listening to music, responding to emails, etc.
|
#
?
Nov 30, 2016 01:33
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 24, 2024 06:02 |
|
|
Just do it. Being a Peace Corps volunteer isn't about having internet access. Running water and elelectricity are negotiable. Honestly, if having internet is a deal breaker, then the PC probably isn't for you. It's not that you might not have it somewhere, but you are exactly right about needing to prioritize interactions with your community. Even if you live in a total poo poo hole, you'll probably be able to get rudimentary internet at a nearby city or something to get your fix. How did people exist before the internet, electricity, plumbing, or modern appliances? Most people still live that way, and PC allows you to gain at least some insight. Thesaurus fucked around with this message at 06:42 on Nov 30, 2016 |
|
#
?
Nov 30, 2016 06:19
|
|
|
https://opensignal.com/networks/liberia/cellcom-coverage https://opensignal.com/networks/liberia/lonestar-cell-coverage Interviewers and recruiters like to prepare volunteers for their most isolated sites, because those volunteers might get placed there. Access to internet often isn't as bad as it might be made out to be. Even if it is though, there's always a portable hard drive you can load up with poo poo...or you know doing whatever the gently caress the locals do, which is way better than anything you'd get from the internet. That being said, coverage DOES look pretty sparse from those maps! El Mero Mero fucked around with this message at 06:49 on Nov 30, 2016 |
|
#
?
Nov 30, 2016 06:47
|
|
|
El Mero Mero posted:
Just gotta find the one patch of grass on top of the hill that has signal! My friend's only signal was this small hole in the ground that if he put his phone in it he could get signal. One day he came and a horse had poo poo in it and that was the end of that for him.
|
|
#
?
Nov 30, 2016 15:08
|
|
|
That's when you pay that one guy that knows how to fix anything in the village thirty bucks to make a crap cell signal booster out of an old radio, a piece of wood, some rusting iron rod and a kid's blanket (for some reason)
|
|
#
?
Nov 30, 2016 18:41
|
|
|
huhu posted:Just gotta find the one patch of grass on top of the hill that has signal! This anecdote is so goddamned Real Peace Corps and I love it
|
|
#
?
Dec 1, 2016 22:44
|
|
|
Slaan posted:That's when you pay that one guy that knows how to fix anything in the village thirty bucks to make a crap cell signal booster out of an old radio, a piece of wood, some rusting iron rod and a kid's blanket (for some reason) My friend had his parents bring down a signal booster when they came to visit. He hooked it up to his solar panel system and he could browse Reddit when the nearest paved road was 2 hours away.
|
|
#
?
Dec 2, 2016 05:15
|
|
|
I lived in a tent in the Gobi, and my village had decent cell phone coverage. I bought a little USB dongle for my laptop that would give me dial-up speed internet. Two years of SomethingAwful and .jpg porn was infinitely better than no internet at all.
|
|
#
?
Dec 2, 2016 07:35
|
|
|
hey y'all I'm UC for a secondary science education position in Guinea and my interview is a week. I'm trying to cram in research but I can't find any active posts since the ebola stuff in 2014. I'm dying laughing though looking at the PC reddit and reading all these cute little 22 year olds who are going to solve the HIV problem in Africa and totally ~*change the world*~. I like to think i'm coming to this with the right mentality because my mom was in PC in the 60's/70's as an OB/GYN and delivered babies in Vietnam/Cambodia, and actually met my dad through it. I used to spend summers in rural Indonesia where my father is from so I'm absolutely game for making GBS threads in holes and boiling all my water and hanging out in the Third World. Right now i'm more worried about having to teach upper level math and physics in a language I don't speak at all but everybody tells me they teach you what you need to know at PST. What's the education role like? I'm kind of blindsided by this because my degree is in plastics engineering, but that was 10 years ago and I'm currently in school for community development/urban planning and was shooting for youth development in Morocco. I'm ~*flexible*~ obviously but I don't really have any formal education training. I've run open shops and lectures for the bike-centric non-profit I work for but I've never had a long term curriculum to teach. Do they encourage you to bring materials and labs, or are you just kind of wingin' it? also should I bring my macbook if I end up going, or should I get something shittier? I'm not sure if Guinea is like SE Asia where everything is humid 24/7 and I'm sure the closest Apple Store is going to be in Europe.
|
|
#
?
Dec 2, 2016 18:36
|
|
|
Your first 3 months in country are training and then the next 3 months your just supposed to get to know your community and guide them in picking a project you can all work on together. I was in a water systems program and we had people with degrees in sociology and psychology so you'll be fine. As far as the Mac, I know a common issue was people trying to track down Mac chargers after they broke which usually meant praying you could buy one from a friend with a broken computer or waiting for someone to bring one down. If your country is any bit like Panama, don't bring nice electronics, they're going to die. I lost a phone, laptop, Bluetooth keyboard, and some other stuff to the climate/constantly throwing it in my backpack.
|
|
#
?
Dec 2, 2016 23:55
|
|
|
huhu posted:As far as the Mac, I know a common issue was people trying to track down Mac chargers after they broke which usually meant praying you could buy one from a friend with a broken computer or waiting for someone to bring one down. If your country is any bit like Panama, don't bring nice electronics, they're going to die. I lost a phone, laptop, Bluetooth keyboard, and some other stuff to the climate/constantly throwing it in my backpack. But don't even bother with a laptop that has an old spinny HD drive. SSD or bust (because it will bust.) If you already have one with a rotational platter drive, buy a SSD to replace the drive. Also has a side effect of making even an old system perform better.
|
|
#
?
Dec 3, 2016 04:58
|
|
|
So I was contacted today by the placement officer for Indonesia asking if I would be open to switching from Ukraine to help them meet their quota. I've been pretty dead set on Ukraine since receiving my invitation in August, and I've put a ton of hours into language training and studying history, but I figured exploring the option wouldn't be unreasonable. Especially considering the war with Russia and the separatists in the East could escalate at any time jeopardizing my service there. Are there any RPCV's from Indonesia in this forum? If so, would you mind talking about your service a little bit and what your experience was like there?
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2016 04:25
|
|
|
Whoa Indonesia is in play? I'm from there and I was super bummed out to know there wasn't any open positions when I applied in october
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2016 04:30
|
|
|
Casual Encountess posted:Whoa Indonesia is in play? I'm from there and I was super bummed out to know there wasn't any open positions when I applied in october Well apparently they're in need of volunteers for the group leaving in March so if you haven't left yet you should consider giving the country desk/placement officer a call.
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2016 06:24
|
|
|
Yea, actually I would trade you Ukraine for Indonesia if that was an actual option. I leave in Sept tho. Speaking of which, finally got my interview today. I hope I didn't come off too goony! e: Are there any other goons in/going to Ukraine?
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2016 06:58
|
|
|
Go for it. Little chance of war breaking out, tropical climate instead of OH HOLY gently caress cold, an easier language to learn (cat 3 instead of 5) and there are pirates there 
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2016 16:07
|
|
|
God Hole posted:So I was contacted today by the placement officer for Indonesia asking if I would be open to switching from Ukraine to help them meet their quota. I've been pretty dead set on Ukraine since receiving my invitation in August, and I've put a ton of hours into language training and studying history, but I figured exploring the option wouldn't be unreasonable. Especially considering the war with Russia and the separatists in the East could escalate at any time jeopardizing my service there. A very good friend of mine did his service in Indonesia. He extended and did three years total, if that helps you frame it... it sounds like it was a good experience, though not without the usual Peace Corps frustrations. If you have any specific auestions I could pass them along, though no promises that he'll have helpful answers. I did my service in a different Southeast Asian country but I've been to Indonesia several times and I love the place. Good food, friendly people, gorgeous country, and the language is pretty easy to pick up (though harder once you get to advanced level).
|
|
#
?
Dec 15, 2016 21:13
|
|
|
So I'm leaving in three months, already have medical clearance, and just discovered I may have a hernia. Would getting corrective surgery be disqualifying? Would I get put on some type of probationary period pending full recovery or removed from my group entirely? From what I understand it's a pretty simple surgery requiring only a week or two to recover from, but I have no idea how Peace Corps medical will react to it when I report it to them.
|
|
#
?
Dec 19, 2016 06:22
|
|
|
Welp, I'm officially a Guinea invitee, departing on July 5th. hot drat
|
|
#
?
Dec 27, 2016 18:52
|
|
|
make that July 1st pumped.
|
|
#
?
Jan 31, 2017 15:21
|
|
|
I was a volunteer in Indonesia. Would absolutely recommend. Feel free to reach out to me if anyone wants to ask further 
|
|
#
?
Feb 1, 2017 21:03
|
|
|
speshl guy posted:So I'm leaving in three months, already have medical clearance, and just discovered I may have a hernia. Would getting corrective surgery be disqualifying? Would I get put on some type of probationary period pending full recovery or removed from my group entirely? This is a difficult situation. On one hand if it's an easy fix it may be better to just fly under the radar and get it done. On the other hand, they take medical conditions (especially operations) really seriously, and at least when I was applying you could have your offer revoked for being untruthful about your medical status. This may sound shady, and you should probably get a second opinion, but I would get the surgery and then report it to them once you're in country. I doubt your actually PCOs will give much of a poo poo as long as your healthy and straightforward about it, but a person at the national Peace Corps office who only knows you as a piece of paper might not be so forgiving.
|
|
#
?
Feb 3, 2017 00:32
|
|
|
I agree. The general advice I received as an applicant was to not tell them anything at all wrong with you during the medical stage because otherwise you'd be plunged into the bureaucratic abyss, perhaps never to emerge. Obvious exceptions are if you will need specific ongoing care in country or for them to provide you with certain medications.
|
|
#
?
Feb 3, 2017 05:08
|
|
|
I had minor surgery on my shoulder years before I left and I made the mistake of telling them. The paperwork I needed to prove I was absolutely safe to serve was insane.
|
|
#
?
Feb 3, 2017 19:21
|
|
|
Yeah that's rough. If you're not too scrupulous I would wait until you're in country to report it. I bet the PC handles cases of like appendicitis among current volunteers all the time so I'm guessing this wouldn't be too disruptive to take care of in-country?
|
|
#
?
Feb 5, 2017 17:45
|
|
|
"Oh, I was supposed to report such a minor medical change after I got my clearance? Oops, my bad"
|
|
#
?
Feb 5, 2017 18:16
|
|
|
Hi, guys. I was just wondering if there are ever any openings for archaeologists and/or physical anthropologists? I have an MSc in Osteoarchaeology with a decent amount of experience identifying human remains, and could be very useful in excavating mass graves and identifying bodies. I checked the current openings and all I see is stuff for English teachers. I'm already teaching, so I'm not super interested in doing that as a Peace Corps position at the moment (although possibly in the future). Apologies if someone's already asked this.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2017 07:07
|
|
|
Peace corps has pretty specific fields of humanitarian work it covers and unfortunately no, English teacher is about what you're gonna get. Most of peace corps is English teachers, followed by some health care, agriculture and engineering things.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2017 11:18
|
|
|
Fleta Mcgurn posted:Hi, guys. I was just wondering if there are ever any openings for archaeologists and/or physical anthropologists? I have an MSc in Osteoarchaeology with a decent amount of experience identifying human remains, and could be very useful in excavating mass graves and identifying bodies. I checked the current openings and all I see is stuff for English teachers. I'm already teaching, so I'm not super interested in doing that as a Peace Corps position at the moment (although possibly in the future). I know that we have shorter-term volunteers (I think called Response Peace Corps Volunteers) that do more professional work requiring specialized skills. You may want to look into that.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2017 12:53
|
|
|
Fleta Mcgurn posted:Hi, guys. I was just wondering if there are ever any openings for archaeologists and/or physical anthropologists? I have an MSc in Osteoarchaeology with a decent amount of experience identifying human remains, and could be very useful in excavating mass graves and identifying bodies. I checked the current openings and all I see is stuff for English teachers. I'm already teaching, so I'm not super interested in doing that as a Peace Corps position at the moment (although possibly in the future). You could get a position as an environmental health (water systems and latrines) or agriculture in a very rural indigenous community. That's what my friend with a sociology background did. Of course I think both those programs are much more competitive these days and he was the only person without an engineering background in my group.
|
|
#
?
Mar 11, 2017 17:12
|
|
|
RagnarokAngel posted:I had minor surgery on my shoulder years before I left and I made the mistake of telling them. The paperwork I needed to prove I was absolutely safe to serve was insane. Don't tell them anything. It's a bureaucracy. Tell them nothing.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2017 14:02
|
|
|
speshl guy posted:So I'm leaving in three months, already have medical clearance, and just discovered I may have a hernia. Would getting corrective surgery be disqualifying? Would I get put on some type of probationary period pending full recovery or removed from my group entirely? Do not report it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2017 14:04
|
|
|
Thanks for the advice, guys! I may still apply as a teacher in a couple of years, but I'm pretty burned out on the whole English teaching scene right now. The idea of doing it for less money in less comfortable conditions just isn't a good one for me right now; I'd rather try again when my enthusiasm and energy for teaching are built back up 'cause I really hate not doing my best.
|
|
#
?
Mar 19, 2017 06:25
|
|
|
That's a great mindset to have and I hope one day you feel ready to try.
|
|
#
?
Mar 19, 2017 06:32
|
|
|
If you wanted to do something that isn't English teaching, you could get the volunteer experience to qualify for another sector (eg business, agriculture, health, etc) and then give it a go. Unless things have changed, the bar isn't too high, usually a few semesters worth of volunteering in something vaguely related to the area (like organic gardening for agriculture). It would be an adjustment but they basically teach you everything you'd be expected to know. There were always people placed into programs they didn't have any real experience in
|
|
#
?
Mar 19, 2017 21:12
|
|
|
Thesaurus is right about that. You also have much more leeway now than in previous years in choosing what kind of work you want to do and where you want to do it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 20, 2017 12:37
|
|
|
So I'm about 9 days into PST right now and want to make the most of my service here. In addition to the stuff PC supplies, does anyone have any recommendations on literature for developing and sustaining Youth Development programs? Anything that has to do with organizing community participation in youth programs or preparing youth for the world of work would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
#
?
Mar 23, 2017 18:08
|
|
|
You're in Indonesia, right? I don't know anything about your training but here's my very well-intentioned if ultimately meaningless post: I don't have any specific recommendations but my PM gave me a thumb drive with a ton of material covering a vast range of stuff. I don't know how she compiled it, but I think she got them from the Regional Director or something. Some tiles are: Youth Livelihoods & Financial Literacy; Working with Youth; Youth Development through English Practice; Youth Entrepreneurship. Some of them deal with how to bring the community into the process. It is all Peace Corps documents tho and I suspect you might get them eventually in PST (but IDK anything about your training in Indonesia). Also, congrats on making it through your first week and change of PST!
|
|
#
?
Mar 24, 2017 13:12
|
|
|
N. Senada posted:You're in Indonesia, right? I don't know anything about your training but here's my very well-intentioned if ultimately meaningless post: I opted to stick with my Ukraine posting! Yeah we were given the thumb drive and recommended to check out Youth Development through English Practice and Youth Camps in Manua but thanks for the other recs, I'll check them out! It was a difficult first week to be sure but also invigorating, everyone is incredibly motivated. I've never found myself among so many people with such passion for humanitarian work. If there are any other Youth Development Current or Returned PCVs I'd be interested to here about your service, the methods that worked for you and the ones that didn't.
|
|
#
?
Mar 26, 2017 17:11
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 24, 2024 06:02 |
|
|
I can't remember if this came up, but if you're an RPCV working in the federal government there are some bureaucratic hacks you can do to potentially get a big advantage on your pension and lower deductions on your paycheck, not to mention creditable seniority for leave accrual. If this is news to anyone, let me know and I'll provide more details.
|
|
#
?
Apr 21, 2017 04:17
|
|