Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. I am over 50 myself and an "empty nester." So in the spirit of adventure and service, it is now My Season of Peace.
I applied to the Peace Corps August 31, 2010, something I have wanted to do for years but I was busy raising three boys.
I was interviewed by a recruiter and nominated on Oct. 13, 2010 for Central/South America, an English speaking country, leaving Feb./March 2011. My job will be to serve as a Primary Teacher Trainer.
I received my medical and dental kit on Nov.1st and had it all done and back to PC by Nov. 18th. Only 2 additional forms were needed to receive my medical clearance just in time for my 55th birthday Dec. 10th. I got dental clearance earlier in the month. The key to successfully and quickly getting cleared is to do your homework by researching other blogs and websites to learn about the medical and dental forms and tests needed. Take ownership of your medical and dental forms, read read read and double check everything. It was a bit stressful getting everything done in such a short time (and expensive) but I wanted it over with before Thanksgiving. Everyone I had contact with via phone and email in the medical office were super kind and helpful.
Next step, on to legal clearance. Since I had sent in numerous papers months ago, I didn't think it would be a long process. Sure enough, I got the infamous email saying my toolkit was updated and ta-da, I am now passed Legal Clearance!
So it has been 3 months and 11 days since I applied - am I on the fast track or what??
