The past two days of training (in Miami) have been A LOT of fun and A LOT less awkward than I expected. (You know my fear of awkward situations...) As you can imagine, the other volunteers are amazing, outgoing, independent, accomplished, from all over the US with various interests and backgrounds. However, we all have funny things in common like - lots of us have been camp counselors :) and studied abroad.
The days have been full of interactive activies that give us an overview of the excitement to come.... :) Today I was part of a group that wrote a song about integrating into the Costa Rica culture. It was to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" and Ryan Bailey (who also went to UNC and some of you know him) pretty much rocked out on the guitar. So we've had fun being silly and also discussing real issues.
I don't have too much news, but I wanted to go ahead and let you all know that I'm even more excited about this adventure and my fellow adventurers. Also we leave tomorrow for Costa Rica where we will have a FOUR day orientation! (It's gonna be like camp!...maybe :)) During this retreat, I will have NO ABILITY to be in touch so don't be alarmed. Next time you hear from me, I will be in Costa Rica!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Contact Information
LETTERS:
Kim Shumaker, PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 1266
1000 San Jose
Costa Rica
Helpful Guidelines:
-Letters to Costa Rica cost 90 cents.
-Don't mail money. (I know you were all thinking about doing that...)
-I talked to a volunteer down there and she said: DO USE THE US POSTAL SERVICE for packages. She hasn't had any trouble getting them at all!
Kim Shumaker, PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 1266
1000 San Jose
Costa Rica
Helpful Guidelines:
-Letters to Costa Rica cost 90 cents.
-Don't mail money. (I know you were all thinking about doing that...)
-I talked to a volunteer down there and she said: DO USE THE US POSTAL SERVICE for packages. She hasn't had any trouble getting them at all!
PACKAGES!!:
If you would like to mail a package, I have heard this is an AMAZING ENCOURAGEMENT to volunteers. (just a small hint :)) And according to current volunteers the quickest and most reliable way to send & receive packages is through the US Postal Service. She said NOT to use DHL or FEDex. OK - so that was helpful. I'll keep you updated on any more changes!
just in case you need these for anything:
Peace Corps Office Phone Number: 011-506-231-4122
Peace Corps Office Fax Number: 011-506-220-3275
EMERGENCIES:
Please call the Office of Special Services at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C.: 800-424-8580 extension 1470. (or during nonbusiness hours: 202-638-2574)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
General Information
Peace Corps, Costa Rica.
June 25, 2007 - September 2009
When do you leave and where are you going?
On June 25th, I fly from Greensboro, NC to Maimi, FL where I will spend a day & a half filling out paper work and playing get to know you games with my 17 other Costa Rica volunteers.
On June 27th, I fly from Miami, FL to San Jose, Costa Rica.
I will live with a Costa Rican family somewhere outside of San Jose for three months of training.
After those three months, I will be sworn in officially as a Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer (until then I am only considered a Peace Corps trainee). At which time, I will move to live in another Costa Rican community with a family (and feasibly far away from other PCVs) for two years.
What will you be doing?
As a Youth Development Volunteer, my job description states that I will work with families, children and youth in a variety of settings. (Yes, it is VERY informative.)
From what past volunteers have explained to me, once I enter the community it will take time to adjust to Costa Rican working standards, the cultural mindset and the language level necessary to actually serve the community well. During this adjusting time, I will have to work hard at figuring out the needs of the community and then at figuring out the ways I can fulfil those needs best.
Are you scared?
Um...yes. I am about to move to another country (don't really know where) to work as a youth development volunteer (not really sure what that means) and speak a language that i MAYBE have a conversation level ability. Yes - scared. However, I am calm right now the excitement still outweighs the fright.
Will you be able to come home?
Yes. We get 24 days of vacation a year which will definitly include some mental health days of exploring the Costa Rican beach. However, there is a 99.9% chance that two of my best friends are going to get married during my two year stint...so...for now, I am planning on coming back for those two weddings. Everyone else that I'm close to - try to hold off on getting married and having the babies for goodness sake. :)
Best Piece of Advice So Far:
Have NO expectations.
Main Goals:
1. Love people.
2. Be challenged and forced to grow in new and different ways.
3. Speak Spanish well!
June 25, 2007 - September 2009
When do you leave and where are you going?
On June 25th, I fly from Greensboro, NC to Maimi, FL where I will spend a day & a half filling out paper work and playing get to know you games with my 17 other Costa Rica volunteers.
On June 27th, I fly from Miami, FL to San Jose, Costa Rica.
I will live with a Costa Rican family somewhere outside of San Jose for three months of training.
After those three months, I will be sworn in officially as a Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer (until then I am only considered a Peace Corps trainee). At which time, I will move to live in another Costa Rican community with a family (and feasibly far away from other PCVs) for two years.
What will you be doing?
As a Youth Development Volunteer, my job description states that I will work with families, children and youth in a variety of settings. (Yes, it is VERY informative.)
From what past volunteers have explained to me, once I enter the community it will take time to adjust to Costa Rican working standards, the cultural mindset and the language level necessary to actually serve the community well. During this adjusting time, I will have to work hard at figuring out the needs of the community and then at figuring out the ways I can fulfil those needs best.
Are you scared?
Um...yes. I am about to move to another country (don't really know where) to work as a youth development volunteer (not really sure what that means) and speak a language that i MAYBE have a conversation level ability. Yes - scared. However, I am calm right now the excitement still outweighs the fright.
Will you be able to come home?
Yes. We get 24 days of vacation a year which will definitly include some mental health days of exploring the Costa Rican beach. However, there is a 99.9% chance that two of my best friends are going to get married during my two year stint...so...for now, I am planning on coming back for those two weddings. Everyone else that I'm close to - try to hold off on getting married and having the babies for goodness sake. :)
Best Piece of Advice So Far:
Have NO expectations.
Main Goals:
1. Love people.
2. Be challenged and forced to grow in new and different ways.
3. Speak Spanish well!
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