Contact!
After coming home today from an HIV class I’m taking to become a counselor, I received an email from the placement office! It feels a little bit like old news because it’s been happening to everyone around me, but I’m excited. The email just wanted an updated resume. I’m just happy that they’re willing to look at my file. I know that it could be a while before I hear from the placement officer, but it’s moving along and I’m ecstatic! I was happy that I had at least a few things to add to my resume since applying.
A new country has been thrown into the mix for me. Ethiopia. An invitee on FPCV said they got an invite leaving May 2011. I looked up the country on PCWiki immediately, and it kind of made me nervous. In the 2008 COS survey, Ethiopia had a pretty low ranking in comparison to the other country options I have. I was curious to see what was going on, so I looked into the statistics of the country’s survey. I think that it needs a lot more help than the other countries. A lot of people felt as though their work wasn’t enough or what they expected. A lot of people even said that they didn’t feel comfortable in their community. Even one volunteer admitted to being raped! And many confessed to being sexually assaulted (not rape). Despite this, the truth is that this was over 2 years ago, and some things may have changed. Anyways, I’m saying this all to bring up the subject matter of safety.
What has been your concern about safety in your regions, guys? None at all? Tons? In-between?
I’ll go first. Initially, I was very scared about the idea of going to a foreign country and being sexually assaulted. Not all countries view women in the same respects as America does, and I wasn’t sure how that transition would work out. I read up on the different types of discrimination volunteers might face in all my country possibilities. I even remember reading journal entries about never looking a man in the eye (in certain countries) or else he’ll think that you’re more interested in him sexually. That was alarming. I don’t know about you, but I’m an eye-contact kind of person. I smile at people who walk past me all the time. I feel as though it will be difficult for me to change such a small habit for the sake of safety. It’ll have to happen, but I still feel as though it’s going to be difficult. Anyways, after a while of researching, I just pushed it to the back of my head and thought, “I’ll be just fine. I just need to pay attention to training.”
One more subject, then I’m done. I just recieved an email from my PC friend in Togo, and he said that there are a lot of mental pressures that you have to deal with which makes your job more difficult. I knew initially that there would be issues, but I feel as though not much can prepare me for this mental venture. My question is:
What sort of obstacles do you think you’ll face once you’re living on your own, at your post?
These are serious questions, guys. I’m really curious about your attitudes towards these new changes in your future.
Yeah contact! That’s so exciting, I hope you hear more soon
In Turkey, there’s the same issue about making eye contact with people. I was only there for a week but it really wasn’t that difficult to get used to. Granted, one of my friends kept accidentally propositioning people on the tram, but you’re with people in training so you’ll be able to watch out for each other until you get used to it.
I’m not too terribly concerned about safety, but Mongolia doesn’t seem to have that stigma. What’s this survey you’re talking about? My main concern is dealing with being by myself in the cold for that long. I’m bad at initiating social situations (which sounds way awkward, but I can’t think of another way to phrase it) so I’ll have issues creating a support system, but once I finally do I hope I’ll be fine.. Hope anyway…
Here’s the link. I understand what you mean about social situations. I think that this time you at least have an excuse: language barrier. I think people will be a lot more forgiving. lol.
I hope that I adapt. I want to blend in well with my community.
Great news that you got the resume request. That e-mail makes you feel like things are moving along, right? Looking forward to hearing more news from your end. Your nomination month is approaching, so I’m sure you’l get some updates in the near future
Thanks! I’m hoping to have more to update soon, as well.
It looks like were are at about the same point in the process. I was also encouraged to get the request for my resume.
I don’t worry too much about safety. I know a lot of RPCV’s and from what I hear, the country directors and PC staff in each country is very good at checking out the housing and work areas. The PC has been doing this a long time, and I trust them with my safety. That said, crazy stuff happens everyone. I have a PC acquaintance in Swaziland that got held up a knife point for his wallet last week. But, as with the whole PC application process, you can spend your time being scared about a hypothetical situation or you can just be excited about moving to a new and exciting place…
I know that the six months/year will be difficult. I’m sort of a loner as it is, so I guess in this instance that’s a plus. I plan to bring books, but I also plan to spend time “hanging out” in my community. I think that’s the best way to integrate but also a difficult thing to do. From what I’ve been hearing/reading, life in the third world is incredibly slow paced… very un-American. I think this is also a good time to bond with your host family and/or neighbors. They, along with the PCV’s in surrounding areas, will become your family in short order.
Good luck as you continue the process! I hope we both hear something soon!
Thank you so much for your comment. It’s very encouraging. At the beginning, when my mother was worried about my safety. I told her there was nothing to worry about, but it wasn’t until then that I started getting nervous. I’m just hoping nothing too crazy will happen to me. I’ve read somewhere that the risks are just about as high as living in the US.
Good luck to you too!