3 Weeks
This countdown thing is not going to work out as a regular thing. It’ll turn me crazy. But… starting today, I realized it has been 3 weeks since PC has officially received my medical kit. I can’t believe it’s been almost a month.
Time is going by really quickly for me. I’m currently debating whether or not to tell certain friends about my application…trying to figure out who’d be angry I didn’t tell them sooner.
Hmm…
Why didn’t you tell everyone in the first place? I told everyone right away. A few friends even helped me by proof reading my application essays. Does anybody know, except for your parents [and the entire pc blogging community]?
Under special circumstances, a lot of my friends wouldn’t really support my decision. It’s a weird situation. 4 of my friends know.
Make that 5.
“those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
to be blunt, joining the peace corps is for you and the people you will be serving. those that may be your friends and family should be able to support your decision, regardless. it’s good to tell people. it will really help with the burden of having to wait and wait and wait. the anxiety will get to you. my suggestion would be to tell everyone now instead of waiting until the weeks prior to you leaving the country. both you and them will want to spend as much time together as possible. if you wait to tell them, they will be disappointed and you, possibly, will be disappointed, too.
I think I’m okay with my few close friends knowing. They are truly the only support I need. I’m keeping it a secret because I don’t want it to slip out to the people who will constantly give me criticisms until my departure. That’s 8 whole months! I think it’s the most logical decision because I don’t need anymore stress right now. Have to focus on graduating, among other things…
Thanks for your comment though. I’m glad I have PCJ support.
Well, I am quite confused at this point. You posted anonymous blogs about your PC application, and then you wrote responses to readers’ comments and published your initials AND a photo(?)- – - a beautiful, smiling portrait btw.
Beyond all of that, I believe when family and friends discover that you have been pursuing a life-changing decision for many months before sharing it with them, there is a high probability that many of them will ponder the depth of your relationship with them and many will feel hurt.
Before I started my application, I discussed it with family, friends and co-workers. Most, similar to Melissa’s experience, were supportive. A few were concerned. None expressed oppositional thoughts. The BEST of all was the reaction of the PC recruiter during the interview. I was told that having done what I did was a “significant” positive indication of my commitment AND the broad range of support was a good predictor of success.
These are just my thoughts. Everyone is, of course, different. Best wishes to you as you move forward.
– Lew
Well my family and close friends already know my decision. I asked their advice before I sent in my application.
In all honesty, I’m kind of surprised by the comments I’ve been getting about my decision.
I didn’t want to tell everyone I knew because word spreads like wildfire. There are a number of people I know who won’t support my decision. I’d want my last 8 months to be peaceful rather than to be criticized about my decision constantly…
I suppose I shouldn’t have posted this online because I feel pretty defensive right now. I don’t know, I spend a lot of time with people day to day as an officer, intern and a volunteer. It’s nice to have something that is somewhat of my own.
Sorry if this comment has some sort of tone to it. I’m a little upset that I’m second-guessing my decisions. :/
Please don’t second guess your decision. I was shocked reading some of the responses above, but we are all different with different perspectives. This is my second time going through the PC application process. The first time I didn’t tell anyone except for the people who wrote the recommendations for me because I am a private person. This time around, I am even more intent on not telling people until time for staging.
My reasoning is a bit different this time around, but the decision remained the same. The first time I simply did not want people in my business while I was preparing for such a huge change in my life. This time around I know how much goes into the application process and I am not inclined to explain to people about being nominated, clearing medical, placement etc.
I will just tell them AFTER everything is completed and I am ready to leave for staging.
I am nominated for primary teacher education training in SSA late June (probably the Gambia)
Good Luck
Don’t second guess your decision, some people don’t matter enough to include in the best news EVER. When I first read this I thought you didn’t tell anyone which was a little weird to me. Glad your family and close friends are in on your plans. OH and btw I’m nominated for SSA early June ’11 secondary English teaching so we might be seeing each other in the near future.
Best of luck!
Thanks for your encouraging words! (: