5 Months

The next couple of weeks are going to busy! Things to do: register and take the GRE, complete all 30 hours of continuing education, choreograph three dances and teach my weekly classes (I was asked to continue teaching dance despite my departure halfway through the season!), tie up all loose ends at my job, go to my doctor appointments and submit documents for final medical clearance, and spend as much time with family and friends as I can. And most of this will occur within the next 6 weeks! Due to all of these emotions and responsibilities, I decided to resign from my job one month earlier than previously planned. I was concerned that I wouldn’t have time to complete the things that are the most important to me. 

 

So far I have completed the dental aspect of final medical clearance. I had a Panorex X-ray and then mostly just a routine cleaning. The dentist and hygienist were very helpful with the necessary forms, and even emailed the Panorex right to me! Next I have an appointment at the travel clinic to get immunizations for polio, yellow fever, Tdap, and Hepatitis A booster. It feels good to get some of the paperwork done since medical clearance is largely waiting for the appointments to take place.

 

I have received an overwhelming amount of support from my friends, family, and even strangers! For example, I was at a fall festival with some friends that came to visit. We were discussing how Peace Corps may affect future job prospects, and a woman came up to us. She said, “I am a psychotherapist and a social worker, and I think the Peace Corps is awesome!” That put a big smile on my face! Everyone has been very interested in my service and wishing me the best of luck. I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family!