The Nomination

December 14th - A few last questions and nomination letter

In the evening on the 13th, I received an email from my recruiter informing me of her intention to call me the next day. 

The call lasted about 30 minutes. She asked me more about my reasons for wanting to serve, and was curious about the absence of any recent volunteer experience on my application. I explained that I was attracted to situations that require you to grow as a person and develop new skills to adapt, and that I didn't have more volunteer experience not because I wasn't interested in giving back to my community or because I didn't see the value in it, but because it was necessary for me to support myself financially, and working to support myself had take up most of my time before I went back to college. I also mentioned that I didn't want to commit to doing volunteer work unless I could really dedicate myself to it, so I never did.

A piece of advice she gave me was to get a job or volunteer in ESL or otherwise in the education field because it would give me an edge when it came to the competitive review part of my application. 

She mentioned that she was considering me for a post in a country with a hot climate, and asked how I felt about it (that was exactly what I wanted). Then, she brought up my language experience, and said that even though I was fluent in Spanish and French, that the country she was considering nominating me for didn't speak either. She also asked me how I felt about living in a permanent home-stay situation, and I said it wouldn't be my ideal, because that was the truth, but also expressed that I was open to it, and it definitely wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. 

Let's face it, no assignment is going to be 100% your ideal situation, but from the sound of it, I won't be going to a country in Latin America (I want to go somewhere that will be totally "new" to me), and the climate will be hot, so I count my blessings as they reveal themselves and plan to just make the best of whichever situation I end up in. I am really trusting the Universe on this one! 

We spoke around 11am, and by 4:39pm, I received an email informing me of my nomination. 

This is what the nomination letter looks like:

Dear Robert Abreu,

I am pleased to nominate you to the following Peace Corps assignment:

Sector: Education
Tentative Departure Month: July

A nomination is a recommendation that an applicant move to the next stage of consideration; the medical, legal, suitability, and competitive reviews. You should expect to receive further requests for information during these reviews. If the Office of Medical Services (OMS) needs you to submit more information, instructions will be sent via your medical portal. It is important to respond to any requests quickly and completely. We cannot move forward with the review process unless all requested information is in your file.

In addition, you will receive a legal kit in the mail containing forms necessary to conduct a background check. Please follow all directions and promptly submit these materials. If you do not receive the legal kit within the next 3 weeks please contact the Midwest Regional Office.

If you are medically pre-screened and legally cleared, your application will be evaluated by a Peace Corps Placement Specialist for suitability and competitiveness. You may be contacted at this point for additional information including an update on the status or completion of any previously requested volunteer experience or language coursework. Please note you are responsible for informing the Placement Legal Office if there are any changes to your legal status.

If you are selected for service, a Placement Specialist will work to match you with an opening, taking into account your skills, availability, necessary medical accommodations, and the needs of our host countries. If this match is made, you will receive an invitation to serve in a specific country as well as a job description. Please keep in mind that the program to which you were initially nominated may not be the program to which you are ultimately invited.

Upon invitation, you will be asked to apply for a Peace Corps passport which is specific to our agency. You may use either a current U.S. passport or a copy of your birth certificate to apply for this passport. A delay in submitting your Peace Corps passport application may prevent you from departing for service; therefore, it is advisable to have one of these documents ready for submission.

An invitation is your official offer from Peace Corps. We recommend that you not make any major commitments or changes, such as moving out of your residence or leaving your job, until you receive and accept an invitation.

Congratulations on moving to the next stage of consideration for Peace Corps service.

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXXXXXX

Regional Recruiter