Goodbye El Salvador, I never really got to know you.

January departure for El Salvador has been cancelled due to rising security concerns. I have to admit that I was a little concerned with all that I have been hearing about El Salvador lately but just kept thinking that if it was really dangerous then the Peace Corps wouldn't be sending us there. Well, I guess it has gotten to that point. It is a bit of a bummer since it has gotten so close to the departure date and I have already begun my goodbyes... "Just kidding everyone!" We are to expect the unexpected with the Peace Corps and since I went in with that mindset I am not devastated by this decision. I can make myself useful wherever I am sent, I am just crossing my fingers that I still get to improve my spanish wherever that is. Plus, I love pupusas too much and probably would have gained 30 pounds there anyway.

I just got that call

I got the call from the Placement Officer less than an hour ago. There were a few questions about what I expect it to be like, how will I cope, how does my partner/friends/family feel about me leaving, how would I feel about living with a host family for two years... and at the end I got invited to Central/South America to leave January 24th for environmental education. From what it shows on peacecorpswiki it will be El Salvador. I immediately sent texts and emails with my excitement to my friends and family.

Timeline as of now

It has been nearly a year since I began my Peace Corps application, but I feel right on schedule. Reading through others' timelines has helped me feel more secure about my own. It is very different for every individual person. I don't remember exact dates so they're all approximations.

August 2010- Start application (At this point I was deciding whether to do the Master's International program or go for the Peace Corps first and think about grad school after. I will decide where I want to go after.)
December 2010- Finish application
January 2011-All recommendations sent in.
February 9 2011- Interview (nominated same day for Central/South America for August)
              14- Received medical/ dental packet
May 2011-Sent in packet
        31-got notification they received packet
Early June 2011- Dental Clearance
June 13 2011- Notified there was missing information
        20- Sent in short letter about my minor allergies (be very specific about reactions)
    (few days later)- Medical Clearance
        28- Received email requesting additional information
July 2 2011- Sent in updated resume and romantic involvement update
July 8 2011- Received email notifying me that my application is now with an Assessment and Placement Specialist and should hear within the next few months.

Although it took me a while to send in my application everything happened very quickly soon after. Now it's just waiting to hear where and when. I don't feel anxious and I'm glad that I'm not leaving so soon so I can save a little more money.