Choosing The Peace Corps

How am I going to Africa? That's the million dollar question. Or, more precisely, the cheap-ass question of the year. Because I don't have a million dollars. Even if I did, I'd probably just buy three magic beans (though I am about as lucky as Jack was... magic beans. Hmm.) So going on the cheap will probably be for the best.

As I researched the question of Africa as it relates to my life, I found more and more that I had no idea of what the question was. My thoughts were kind of vague. "I'd like to get into international development. I'd like to do so in Africa. I'd like to help people. I'd like an ice cream cone." Given that things generally happen when you have a precise plan, I found myself floundering on Africa, but enjoying a lot of ice cream.

I have no idea how many people I know who know folks in international development. I have no idea how many people I spoke with on the subject of going abroad. But in the end, I talked with a lot of people. And I can't thank my friends enough. Jenness helped me to find direction; Mary pushed me in the right direction; and everyone else I know-everyone-was there to help with introductions and support. It's as if everyone I know was conspiring to get me to Africa as soon as possible, but in a good way.

In the course of my research and conversations, I learned a few things. First, international development is a field that requires skills. Gone are the days of do-gooders getting jobs and heading overseas to build wells and teach people to read. These days you need experience in the field before any reputable agency will consider your application, and you also had better have a masters degree. Which meant that sitting in my den and applying for a job online would not be an option.

I could still get one of those jobs, though. I could buy a ticket to Tanzania and, when I arrived, find a job. Maybe volunteer with an organization for awhile, show some skills, show my drive, and be offered a position while in the field. A lot of people have had a lot of success with this one. And it also meets what is often a major criterion in my decision making- will it make a good story? Yes!

Unfortunately, it fails to meet another very important criterion. No health benefits and no safety net. Things go badly, I can't get a job, something happens, and I'm stuck. If my goal is to be useful then I probably don't want to get into a situation where I'm also asking for aid.

Which brings me to option three. The Peace Corps. Health benefits? Check. Good story? Check. Job when I arrive? Check. Go quickly? Absolutely not.

The Peace Corps involves a long application process in which the applicant needs to prove his or her stamina in working through bureaucracy. In fact, I'm only just beginning now, and I've already had my interview. If all goes well, I should be in the field sometime next year.

But the advantages of working with the Peace Corps absolutely outweighed the disadvantages. I will have the opportunity to work in a community, I'll have training before I go, and I'll have a supportive network as I do my job. It's worth the wait.

And so now I am waiting.