Be ready for anything
The long awaited "pre departure call" with Peace Corps Ukraine finally happened today. At 5 a.m. Or 3 p.m. Ukraine time. It may have been foreshadowing the year to come: be ready for anything.
There were four people on the call, which I didn't expect. And although I assumed it would be informational in nature, which much of it was, I wasn't ready for a portion of it to be an interview.
“How do you handle challenges?
How do you work with people with language barriers?
What are your expectations for this position?
Do you enjoy working with children?”
Did I mention it was 5 a.m.? It wasn't until after the call that I realized I could've done so much better. But I spoke about the way I handle stress; how I feel I can work with almost anyone; and that I expect to share my skills with others as much as I expect to learn from them. I heard "good answer" on the other end of the line, so I hope that was enough for now.
The Peace Corps Country Director, a fellow Floridian who assures me we have friends in common, then shared three important points. First, The Peace Corps is a federal agency, and we're expected to take an oath to uphold the Constitution upon our arrival, "you may want to pack a tie." Second, there are high tensions in the country because of Russian incursion in the West, and our safety is paramount, "always report your whereabouts to the on duty officer." Finally, "our diversity is our strength," and the Peace Corps celebrates that our country is made up of people from all walks of life.
Then the Program Director, a fellow Latina who opened up the conversation with "buenos dias," started describing the actual work the Peace Corps does around HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Ukraine.
"HIV is an epidemic here," she said.
The country has the highest rate in Europe, and the Peace Corps' HIV mission here is the largest in the world.
Funded by PEPFAR, which was passed under the Bush Administration, the Peace Corps' mission is to provide technical assistance to countries most affected by the epidemic.
"It's been a huge success, and the work we're doing here is extremely important."
Together with another Peace Corps official on the call, they mainly spoke about one of the key populations most affected by the disease: orphans and vulnerable children. I started wondering if they were hinting at something.
Finally, the head of logistics, who is Ukrainian, was able to answer some burning questions. I'll be placed somewhere in central Ukraine, although they haven't determined where yet. During the first two weeks, my cohorts and I will undergo intense training in Kiev and be housed at a hotel. There, we will receive four hours of language training a day and meet with Peace Corps staff one-on-one to better understand which projects will be most compatible with us. They'll give us "walk around" money and help us set up an in country phone.
On August 10, our real job starts, and we'll be placed with a host family for three months--a change for the first time from the traditional six months. "Bring gifts for the family," the logistics official said. "Any American souvenir will be appreciated."
Then she asked, "do you have any eating restrictions?"
"I'll eat anything," I answered.
"We'll see if you still feel that way after six months.”
