More medical adventures.
So, I found a community health clinic that charges for service based on one's income. This is good news as I work as an instructor/program assistant for a couple non-profits and make quite a bit below the poverty line! I always have more than enough, though...I don't feel like I'm poor. I think that's another blog topic, though. The whole thing should cost about $75, which the Peace Corps will reimburse. Whew. Right now, I am trying to get my shot records transferred from the clinic I used to frequent to the clinic in which I am trying to get an appointment. Also, this clinic does not do polio boosters for anyone over 18. I'm not sure where to do in order to get that done.
Next up, my biggest fear...dental exam and such. I know that I am at least going to have to have my wisdom teeth removed. I only have two but I feel like it's going to be a hellishly expensive experience nonetheless. Ugh. I am going to try and go through this association that has partnered with the Peace Corps (of sorts) to offer free exams to applicants. I feel like they do not, however, offer free oral surgery. *sigh*
Trials and tribulations.
6 comments:
Thanks for sharing your timeline/experience, as a applicant perhaps a month behind your timeline, it's very helpful and interesting. I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking, if you are available to serve soon or if you're nomination is 10 months from now because you won't be free until then? Also, again if you don't mind sharing, did you put Asia as a preferred region?
I got all my shots at the local county health department, it made it much easier since I dont have a doctor where I live (at school), but most shots are spendy
Hey Zach! Glad to be of service. :) I was hoping that this blog would turn out to be useful for someone along the line.
On my application, I put my availability down as anytime after May 2010. I did this because I need to have time to spend some time at home (Canada) and tie up all my loose ends here in the States before I leave. However, I somehow lucked out. My recruiter was telling me about how they have such a huge number of applicants that the time frame is actually about a year now anyway. When I did my interview, they were just opening up nomination slots for August-October 2010. I got a slot for June apparently because I am well-qualified (they seem to think, haha). Have you been nominated yet?
As for region, I didn't put a preference. I figure, the experience is going to be about the same wherever you go. I don't have any climate or diet preferences so I just told them to send me where they needed me. However, I'd recommend stating a preference if you have one. I speak French and assumed I would be sent to Africa or the Pacific Islands...but they tend to place based on experience instead of language skills. Did you give them a preference?
Good luck as you continue with this craziness! :)
Thanks for the info! After I posted here I got a packet in the mail and was able to schedule my interview for this Wednesday. I'm hoping to get a nomination that lets me leave in the near future, but understand a lot of placements are full for 2009 and into 2010. I put Africa and Latin America as my preferred regions, but my experience is in TEFL/ESL so I imagine that makes me more likely to be put in Eastern Europe/Asia. All part of the adventure. I'll be sure to keep following your blog- best of luck on the medical clearance process!
Wednesday as in tomorrow! That's awesome...break a leg and I hope that all goes well. I'm sure that you have already seen this but this is a really great resource for the interview: http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Interview_Questions
I wasn't asked all of these questions but what I was asked basically came verbatim from the list on that website. It's important to be completely honest and make sure to come up with a couple good questions to ask!
I'm not sure that you are more likely to be placed in a region because of your ESL background...I have a friend in Ecuador in an ESL-related placement. Do you mind me asking you what kind of experience you have...and how much? I've been an ESL teacher for 2 years now and I'd be interested to hear about the population you work with as well as the resources you use. Do you speak any other languages?
Anyway, let me stop being all curious. :P Good luck again on with your interview and thanks for the well-wishes! Oh, and thanks for checking out my blog! I really never thought it would be more than a personal thing I could look back on but I love that I'm being somehow useful! :P Take care!
Yep, the interview was yesterday and I think it went pretty well- my recruiter said I could bug her in two weeks if I haven't heard anything, so I'm anxiously awaiting whatever comes next.
I've had some experience tutoring and volunteering in schools, but my only ESL experience really was when I went to China with a friend early this year to teach for five months. I speak a very minimal amount of Chinese, but I spent a semester abroad in Cuba and my Spanish isn't pretty but enough to get me around and hold basic conversations.
When the medical process begins I'll be sure to check out that ICD program, thanks again for all the info!
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