Invitation Kit, Part Two

I've had a chance to get through the invitation kit, so here's some thoughts:

--Assignment booklet: chockful of interesting information. Lots of details about the sort of places I'll be working and what I might be expected to do. For example, I'll teach between 14 and 16 hours in the classroom, and I'll have between 35 and 85 folks in my class. Oof.

--I get to apply for a government passport. That's sort of exciting, no? I also have to fill out the visa application. After some debate, I decided to include my Chinese name. I hope it doesn't confuse anyone, but I might as well make it official now. I'm fond of the name my teacher gave me, so now's a good time to stick with it.

--I have to submit a resume and aspiration statement. I spent a lot of time crafting my original resume, so I'm a little sad to have to put it into a standardized format. The aspiration statement is also a little tricky- they ask about anticipated challenges and expectations. This is odd, since the PC theme seems to be "have no expectations." Anyway, I think I can handle it.

--The Finance folder was extremely helpful. I get life insurance as a PCV, so there's a form to designate a beneficiary. Also, they have brochures on personal property insurance. Mine works out to be about $70 a year, which seems reasonable. I got a cheap computer for a reason, but I'd still pay $100 for a deductible than $500 to replace it. It also includes information on student loans (which I don't have, thank heavens), income taxes (I probably won't make enough to be taxed), and other debts (which I also don't have).

--Staging forms. Mostly empty since the Staging Kit comes later. For now, just a registration form and a final eligibility check: Have you been arrested since the last time we spoke? etc.

--Domestic Connections: Press release info and signing up to penpal with American school kids. Not super exciting, since I'm not sure my program is well-suited for cultural exchange with kiddos.

--Welcome Book- no surprise here since it's on the yahoo group's website.

--Volunteer Handbook- Pretty much what I expected. Some interesting rules on appropriate use of PC owned technology.

I think that's all. It was a very hefty package. Now I just have to get a bit more dental work done, and I should be good to go.

The Invitation Kit

The much-awaited kit arrived today, only three days after it was mailed. I'm going to miss American mail service.

It contains quite a wealth of information: a pamphlet on my assignment, a booklet on cultural adjustment, the volunteer handbook (read: rulebook), the welcome book for China, and a booklet for family entitled "On the Home Front." Has a nice patriotic ring, no? :0)

In addition, there are bunch of folders, my passport and visa info, resume instructions, finance info, staging information, and "domestic connections" which is a chance to penpal with American schools, etc.

I look forward to wading through all of this fun stuff, and I'll keep you posted!

I'm in!

Yay! I was phoned by my very friendly Placement Officer yesterday. Apparently my availability was still listed as September even though I was nominated for a June program. I clarified, and he said he was inviting me to the China program. Excited is a slight understatement.

My parents, I think, have resigned them to the Peace Corps as inevitable. They were appropriately happy for me. I was worried about my grandfather's reaction- I hadn't told him because I didn't want to worry him prematurely. When I called him last night, he got really excited and thinks it's great! I love pleasant surprises.

This morning my toolkit updated. I was curious- does the toolkit update when someone updates and then you get an email at 5 am OR does it all sort of upload at 5 am? Turns out that its the latter. Just so you know.

My new and improved toolkit begins with a cheery "Congratulations! You have been invited to be a Peace Corps Volunteer." The status is no longer on the first page. there are links to My Application (all those circles and checks), Prepare Yourself, Prepare Your Friends and Family (which both are unchanged), and My Assignment. I kow have a Place checkmark in My Application, so the only thing missing is Dental. More fillings, whoo.

My invitation kit is in the mail, so I will read it, then phone to accept. More forms, presumably. Then a welcome kit a couple months before departure, then a staging kit, then staging then I'm off to China!

The "My Assignment" section doesn't have much, actually. There are sections for pictures and journal of PCV's, but both are blank. There is some general info, but nothing about China. I wonder if that will update. I suppose most people don't get a phone call, so they don't know where they will be until their invitation comes in the mail. Interesting.

I will continue to explore and keep you posted.

Reimbursement

I got my check for a whopping $12 today! Yay.

Also phoned to let my APO that I would be out of town with sporadic email access. I was half hoping he'd say, "While you're on the phone, let me go ahead and do your invite." No such luck.

It turns out that the people who are receiving invites now were pretty much all originally scheduled for another date and got pushed back, so that's making me feel a little better. More waiting.

Teehee

I got a letter today from the regional recruitment office. It was very friendly, advised me that my medical packet would be coming soon, and that I should go ahead and schedule the doctor's appointments.

Teehee...I've been medically cleared for a couple weeks now. I think the regional office should check in with DC before sending these out.

Contact from Placement Office!

I received an email from my assistant placement officer today:

I’m writing you from the Peace Corps placement office and I’ve been reviewing your file. I just wanted to send you a reminder that upon your graduation in June we will need a copy of your final transcript. At that time, please send us a copy showing:

· your name

· the name of the institution,

· the degree you received and the date it was conferred.

It can be an unofficial transcript, as long as it reflects the required information. Please email or fax this document to my attention at the number listed below. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at this time.

Regards,

His name

Excellent! I found out that my PO is on vacation until January when I called to see about submitting a transcript. At least I know my file's not being ignored in the meantime. I told him that I wouldn't be able to get that transcript til early July. I also asked about sending in a new resume, so we'll see what he has to say.

Medically Cleared!

Hooray! I got the letter in the mail, and I am medically qualified. That was super fast- just ten days, even with mental health stuff.

The letter says that I will hear separately about dental qualification (which I actually already got) and that the Placement Officer will now begin reviewing my file. I need to call tomorrow and figure out to whom to send a resume so that they can see my new Kaplan teaching which will make me more qualified for the China job. Some invites have already gone out, so hopefully they'll think I'm a good fit and I will get my invite soon.

Hooray!