Disclaimer: I had initially applied to PC Benin but got denied to due my immigration being in limbo (i.e. they didn’t think I would be a citizen in time for staging). So when I got withdrawn from consideration I immediately applied to another position where the departure date was well past the date I was sworn in as a US citizen.

Comunity Health Support Agent:

• April 14th 2018: Application was submitted.
  • I had already worked on my federal resume, my motivation statement and reached out to my references prior so I applied as soon as the position opened up.
• April 30th 2018: Under Review
• May 2nd 2018: Interview Request
• May 17th 2018: Interview
  • Looking back, I wasn’t that nervous for this interview. I had practiced a number of times and had sticky notes all over my laptop in case I blanked. I was prepared from interviewing prior and getting in touch with RPCVs and Reddit was an added bonus. Jubal, the placement specialist, was incredibly easy to talk to.
• May 25th 2018: Invitation to serve pending medical and legal clearance.
  • Man was I geeked!!
• July 19th 2018: Legal Clearance Granted
• August 6th 2018: Legal clearance revoked.
  • There was some miscommunication between my placement officer and the legal team. I was a little frazzled when I got the email because my oath ceremony was in 2 months and service was 7 months away. Luckily, Jubal came in clutch.
• August 2nd 2018: Medical Clearance Granted
• August 9th 2018: Oath Cemerony
  • Naturalizing has its own headaches and demands its own exercise of patience.
• February 24th 2019 – February 25th 2019: Staging
• February 25th 2019: Volunteer

Looking back, since I had applied so early I thought I had all the time in the world before setting off to Senegal. Now here we are, 2 weeks till departure.