After a round-a-bout series of phone calls within the Placement Office, I spoke to a very helpful woman in the region I had been referred to. The shock, however, was that she was in the Europe, Mediterranean, Asia Office (EMA) NOT the African Office. When I expressed my surprise that my file had been sent to the EMA Office when I had been nominated for an African program, she precded to tell me the following:
According to my file, I was actually nominated for an Eastern European English-teaching assignment that left in September. (Total Shock)
I had been thinking this entire time that I had been nominated to an entirely different program, one in community development...in AFRICA. I suppose this is what it means when you say "I will go anywhere and do any job that you need me to do" - that you will actually GO ANYWHERE. I made sure she knew that once the intial shock wore out, I would be ultimately more accepting of any necessary assignment. I had been told yesterday that my file was under review for all sorts of assignments (though, apparently the location of these assignments was coincidentally left out of the convo). The placement assistant told me that programs leaving in September onward tend to go to Eastern Europe/Central Asia, countries such as: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrzygz Republic, and Turkmenistan. There is a high need for "people like me" in these areas and I had a feeling that one of the biggest lessons I would first learn is how to live with surprises and altered plans. Wasn't the Peace Corps supposed to be my way of letting life lead ME for once? This surprise is just the first step in learning that lesson.
I guess this also proves that I should stop assuming I know what God has in store for me either. I was so sure I was supposed to go to Africa, though maybe it just took that desire to get me to apply in the first place. And I can always go another time. The more I got my expectations up, the more I questioned: I will probably end up where I least expect, and how will I handle that?
To tell you the truth, when the assistant asked me "How do you feel about Eastern Europe?" I wanted to say "I'm disappointed," but I didn't want my shock to make me cynical and selfish. When I said "I would not turn down an assignment unless I felt wholeheartedly that it was wrong for me," I really meant it. Now I'm just accepting that it might require a different type of emotional adjustment.
The good thing is that my family might feel a little bit more secure knowing that I'm not likely to end up in Africa.
And for everyone else, it probably means that internet will be slightly more attainable, or more frequently available than if I end up in Africa.
It will undoubtedly be a blessing in disguise, now I'm just preparing myself to be truly and genuinely open to whatever comes my way.
8 comments:
Hey Sam, I'm glad to hear that you're keeping a positive perspective even when things aren't working out exactly as you planned. I wish you the best, and hope that you can continue to post updates. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Hi Sam,
I do believe that everything works out for a reason. Sometimes when you least expect it, it turns out even better. I can understand your disappointment when you had your heart set on Africa. So know that you are going to the right place at the right time. And Girl I will def. keep in contact with you when you get there
Love,
Joy
oh my gosh! i was so sure you were gonna go to africa too!
but yknow what? maybe things turning out to be exactly what you expected to not happen is perfect and indicative of what to expect from this adventurous endeavor. perhaps you should expect to be surprised.and it sounds like their screening processes and placement techniques are very meticulous; you will end up wherever you were meant to, sam. and youll do amazing no matter where you are...
Sometimes the best experience is one that is unplanned and unexpected. I'm sure this will turn out to be one of those cases. Good luck and keep us posted!
Shoshana
What a surprise! I think you will discover people who need you in Eastern Europe as well as Africa. You will make just as much a difference there.
Your adventure is just beginning.
You will make a difference in someone's life no matter where you are - as you already have with the girls you coached in gymnastics.
Sheri and Paige
Sami - Thanks for carrying us all along on the river that will wind through your adventures......no worries; I don't think anyone has definitely picked your port of landing yet. And ----if you really feel strongly about your preferences, I'm sure there are people at the Peace Corps who will listen -- whether or not the dates of departure are the same. If Africa is now out of the question, I think you are handling it and the disappointment wonderfully well. In the meantime, your philosophical attitude and genuinely open perspective will make you invaluable wherever you go....and will, utlimately I hope, offer you what you were looking for. All my love, Mom
Well written article.
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