Life on Hold

... except it never is, "... it goes on". It has been just about SIX whole months since Peace Corps received my medical package. I've been pestering my medical review POC incessantly who, in turn, is determined to give me a different story every time I contact her office.

It's disheartening to say the least. Their negligence and disregard for my application makes me think twice if Peace Corps is the right path for me.

An excellent article published by the Boston Globe, Peace Corps: What is it for? , highlighted some criticism from former PCVs on the organization after 50 years since its inception. My desire to affect positive changes forces me to question whether Peace Corps is the right medium. There are obvious benefits gained having the support of Peace Corps to pursuit international diplomacy, cultural exchange, and promoting prosperity for those less fortunate in developing nations. Yet, this same organization makes the application process painstakingly long and inefficient to the point that less patient and very much qualified candidates will pursuit other endeavors or answer to other of life's ambitions and callings.

I'm afraid that I'm getting close to that threshold now. Finishing my Masters of Engineering and being a strong candidate for promotion in this assessment cycle at work, I'm SO damn hungry to take life to a new environment. Some options I'm strongly considering:

-Business school
-Military (again for the millionth time)
-Joining a non-profit that I'm passionate about
-Traveling to South America on my own
-Moving back to NJ to keep close to the people that inspire me the most

 I've been applying pressure to the Peace Corps medical review personnel. As a result, just last week it was confirmed that they "started" the review of my physical. (-_-)

 One conundrum that I'd like to share of this review process:
-Email dated February 8th from the Education Placement Office, asking me if I am willing to move up my departure date so I can get a non-guaranteed placement into a program leaving in June. This was not an option for me and I respectfully declined their offer.
-Email dated March 9th from the SAME Education Placement Office, asking me the same exact question and threatening to withdraw my candidacy because I "supposedly" never replied to their first email. I cordially replied back and attached my original response. The Placement Officer apologized for the confusion and promised to take care of my file.

They've made it very hard not to be cynical about this situation and writing about it just makes me want to vent even more... a big part of me just wants to move to Ecuador and get some needed clarity. Unfortunately, student loans payments will start in November. It's a weak excuse but one nonetheless. One of the biggest benefits PC has is their student loan deferment program. It certainly makes getting away to serve for two years a bit easier.

I promise to continue to explore options and come up with a brilliant alternative option soon enough, unless Peace Corps decides to bring peace to my life and give me an invitiation already!

Here's to hoping I can publish a good news story next time.

~Wil