‘You have been invited to become a Peace Corps Volunteer’

June 26, 2012 (10:29am)

I was driving to the gym when my phone started ringing, the number had a (202) area code, which I know is Washington D.C.’s, so I pulled into the nearest driveway and made a quick (illegal) U-turn and raced back home.

I heard my phone beep twice, voice-mail received.

When I got home, I headed straight for my room.  I started my laptop and opened up copies of my transcript, resume and the questionnaire I had submitted to my placement officer on the 22^nd.  I opened all these documents because I was expecting whoever was calling me to ask me questions and I wanted to be prepared.

The call I received was from Dr. Fritz Morrison

He picked up the phone after the first ring:

“Good morning, Peace Corps office, Dr. Fritz Morrison speaking, how can I help you?”

I expected him to tell me that they liked my application and everything, but I was too young, so I should try again in a few years.  I had completely convinced myself that calling me was just a formality, but the Peace Corps had rejected me.  Instead, he congratulated me on sticking with the process; he told me he understood how frustrating (and long) the whole procedure was.  We then spoke a little about the challenges a volunteer may face during service.  I told him I understood that It’d be a challenge to live in those circumstances, but “that’s what the Peace Corps is about, isn’t it? To break down barriers?”  By the end of our conversation, he told me, “I’d like to officially invite you to the Peace Corps.” I was freaking out. Again, I didn’t expect this.

My heart was beating so hard; I could hear my pulse in my ears.  So I stammered “…what?? Are you serious?? I got it?!”  He started laughing and asked me why I was so surprised, he said it was an easy decision (only took 15 months).  Then he told me that I would be placed in the region I was nominated in, Sub-Saharan Africa.  He told me that my service would have a youth orient focus, which was my first choice (Yes!).  My roles will include girls education and empowerment, with slight emphasis on health education and promotion. 

Then all he said was brush up on your French skills.  He also told me to call him directly on his personal line if I had any questions! 

My invitation will take a week to get here!! Yay!!