Interview!

Soooo.....I finally had my interview Thursday!!

I must admit, I was very nervous. As with any interview, you dread having a question that you cannot develop a response. Luckily for me, Peace Corps Wiki saved my life. Honestly, every question he asked me was posted on that website!

The interview was at ASU, which was very convenient because its about 10 minutes away from my apartment. I left half an hour early and got there 15 minutes before the interview. I walked into the Study Abroad Office to hear that Mr. Toure (my recruiter) was running a tad bit late. My nerves, of course, kicked in about there. I was pacing the room and probably looked like a freak in my suit. I decided to grab a study abroad in France brochure to practice my french. Turns out, I dont know shit despite having 2 years behind me. Then he walked in, shook my hand, and took my to a small room.

The room was tiny with a large map of world on the wall. I filled out some paper work, he gave me some forms, and the interview questions began. He asked what my inspiration was for joining. I told him about my experience about my experience in South Africa and desire to make a permanent impact. He asked questions about leadership, fears, ambitions, frustrations, and working in unstructured situations. The interview part itself lasted about 20 minutes. Afterwards he did my fingerprints as we joked around with one another.

He is a very interesting guy. He told me some stories from Tonga where he had been a PCV. He told me his biggest challenges, biggest fears, and biggest successes. He informed me that the hardest part for him was the concept of time. Time on Tonga was slow and unrushed, in stark contrast to the concept of time here in the U.S.. He would think on his worst days, 'Im on a kickass island, how bad can today be?'

At the end I asked him if he could see me as a PCV. He replied that he needs to look over my application, my interview transcript, and references. So now, I play the Peace Corps game, waiting.

Have you ever been attacked by a zombie?

Hello All! Greetings from me, a zombie. I have been sitting in my room for entirely too long trying to construct this massive research proposal for one of my classes. I never understood the concept of finals. Why is it we work so hard reading, writing, and learning all semester and just when were ALMOST done our professors throw finals on us. Anyways, my proposal is pretty cool.

I'm focusing the 'research' on Khayelitsha, the township I lived in while in South Africa. It's been a good experience looking back through my pictures and remembering the social and physical construction of that kick ass place. I knew living in poverty would impact me up to a few months after I got home, but I didn't know it would forever change my life. I left naive, little Kaitlin at the airport in Phoenix back in 2009, never to be seen again.

So, knowing I have this interview in two weeks, I have been conducting small interviews with myself in the shower. I know, I know, it sounds absolutely nuts. But I enjoy talking to myself anyways, I figure I might as well put my oddness to use. So, while exploring my memories of Khayelitsha and trying to interview myself, I discovered the inspiration for the reason I want to join Peace Corps.

As I stated earlier, Khayelitsha changed my life. It changed the way I view people, it taught me to be grateful for air conditioning, heat, even running water. Now, I was lucky in Khayelitsha to have access to water. But at my educare, Imizamo Yethu, running water was completely absent. In order to get water you would have to walk down the street to a well. Bathrooms were all public. Wow sorry I am totally ranting.

Anyways, Khayelitsha made an impact on me, but I had no impact on it. Yeah, I helped care for kids, developed relationships, danced, laughed, ate, and was considered a family member which are all impermanent. But I feel like when I left Khayelitsha, ultimately, it was same as when I entered. With the Peace Corps, I will be able to make an impact, a permanent impact. So I know when I leave, the place where I was will be forever changed. What an opportunity huh?

Ahh... and so it begins!

Let me first say, I have never, EVER, been more excited and nervous for anything in my life.

It all began a few weeks back. I was in the library at ASU meeting with my friend Larry for a cup of coffee. Larry and I had traveled to South Africa in the Summer of '09 for a study abroad program. Since then, we have stayed good friends. Larry informed me about his peace corps application. I was so happy to hear he had decided to apply. A few other guys from the trip had also joined. One guy, Karl, recently left for Kenya to teach sign language. Anyways, as Larry was talking, it dawned me on me. MY GOD! WHAT HAVE I BEEN THINKING?! I WANT TO JOIN THE PEACE CORPS!

I immediately began my research and my application. I knew it would take more than this split second to decide on this life changing volunteer work. But with the support of friends and family, I knew it was right for me. I got my application done, and have an interview with my recruiter on the 9th! I'm so nervous for the interview, so any tips would be amazing! I'm so happy to be a part of this journey and I'm looking forward to sharing everything with you. Even if its not always pleasant.

Just a little background on me. I'm 22 years old and graduating from Arizona State in the Spring (May 2011). Im majoring in Global Studies and minoring in Religious Studies. I hope to go to Sub-Sahara Africa but am open to all regions and programs that the Peace Corps feels I'm right for. I went to South Africa a few summers ago which really sparked my interest in volunteer work abroad. After the PC, I hope to work with either a Non-Profit or a Human Rights NGO.

So any tips for a successful interview would be wonderful! Its my first serious, scary, professional interview. I hope I don't die.