Peace Corps ETing & issues to think of!

What do you need to know prior to ETing?

Every PCV gets to the stage of leaving for greener pastures after training, 6 months in site, a year or a couple of months before ones COS date. As I ETed recently, I wanted to let you all know the important things to think about regarding planning and implementing it well.

First, The year date requires you to do a DOS or description of service. This requires that you both describe your service & your site. The first is a government record for 20 years to come, which will be looked over by any future government employer, so write it well. The second often comes with jokes & is rarely serious, yet it helped me much in site, as it had contacts etc. Unfortunately, the PC deletes the more descriptive bi annual reports & never passes that info on to the next PCV of your site. Instead, they use the last minute write up of your site description, so write it a bit more thorough for the newbie.

The next big issue is that you need to wrap up all your SPA or grant money. This means having receipts for all expenses to the dollar & the bank account closed. I was shocked that I did not have to write any report about the projects successes or failures. Rather there was just the same form for DC, as the original SPA grant form, which asked similar questions regarding the success, impediments, means of doing it better next time and so forth.

Medicals will take a couple of days with plenty of shitting in a cup, dentist visits, blood work, a physical & an exit interview with a doctor. One also has to do an interview with the director, which often can be nice or scary, depending on the director. There is a packet of things to get signed off on, which takes up most of your time. This includes a exit language interview, & plenty of odds and ends involving all your cards, medical coverage etc. One disadvantage of Corps care, is that it does not cover one outside of the USA. This makes traveling back or elsewhere harder to insure. Still, your expenses, if properly documented with receipts, will be reimbursed as out of network costs, once you get back in country. Global care is less expensive & better, minus not covering preventative treatment, for any overseas travel. Still, this requires a minimum of 6 months stay abroad.

A very important issue with ETing is that vacation days should be used up, as any day not used is $25 you forgo. Basically, since ETing is considered a government waste of funds, your unused vacation days will not be paid out, due to PCVs being voluntary & the PC policy, welcome to it. So basically, if you are thinking of ETing take a vacation, which may help you change your mind to staying on a bit longer, rather than quiting with unused vacation days. This is something that shocked me, yet should be taken into account by anyone considering ETing.

Another unfortunate thing for the PC is that they only pay you for the month coming, which caught me off guard. Thus, instead of paying like Hondurans or even in the USA at the end of the month for that month, they pay at the beginning of the month for the coming month. This is due to the first month´s rent & security deposits being paid directly on the first day. So, take note of this, so you are not stuck with a debt to the PC, which cuts into your readjustment allowance.

If you were to ET, I find a year point the essential to having really tried the PC. The best thing is that the guy ETing for school, due to a wedding or family reunion during the last 3 months of site prison, are treated basically the same, as the guy ETing a year and a day at site. It is important to note that a year in site is the measure, not a year in country. Nevertheless, I would recommend sticking it out, as the benefits of receiving the plane ticket in cash makes COS worth it.

You also loose the ability to get scholarships, if you need them, by ETing. Most Universities take your service into consideration, while the number of scholarships are major & university specific, leaving little freedom for your regional, area, or social commitment parameters. After one year you are considered a RPC, yet may get the cold shoulder or disrespecting eye from the true marathon PCVs, who were man/lady enough to stick with development for the entire 27 months. The year non-competitive status for government jobs is also alloted after a year. However, this never is transferable to the state department, as they always have competitive entrance exams, or at least the PC does not give you any foot in the door, minus the good name.

The worst part of ETing is the actual decision & the process both in site and with your fellow PCVs. It is by far the most personal & least fulfilling part of the PC you will make. Still, everyone recognizes when the time is right to cut your losses and take the great experiences, while leaving the frustrations of development behind. There is not best way of ETing, yet it was great to be able to see everyone during mid term-meds. Thus, I recommend waiting until then or at least a large PCV outing. It is also good to be on good terms with your APCD or at least have him know of your struggle & your desire for a recommendation. If you ET, he can write you a letter of recommendation, as can all in the PC, which is not true of the others.

The site & people are very hard to leave! Yet you should give them some warning that you want to leave or ask people to give you work or try all project possibilities to fulfill your tasks or goals. I did not leave an organization unsolicited, nor a person uninformed of my skills, desires for projects, nor means of obtaining funding. However, if you get the word out there and nothing comes back, then look into other side projects etc. Eventually, you must start to tell your friends, set up a going away party, as well as allow your counterpart to throw you a party to hear words of appreciation.

Finally, as you leave make sure to take many pictures, close all loose ends. Try to remember the names, wishes, & now emails of those you may see elsewhere or want to see again. You will see how some just shut off from you, others seek you out for one last chat, & some go on like life as usual. You should look for a ride to the capital or a good friend to help you get your things there. I also recommend gifting all the things, which you do not need like books, toys, ropa americana to the locals. Usually, your things a not worth carrying, so fill your luggage with presents & let the kids or locals enjoy the benefits of having had a gringo in their village.

If you have any questions about ETing drop me a line!

I would not recommend ETing in most cases! Yet I find it a personal decision, which is definitely a brave albeit selfish act, which abandons the needy, while jumping off the slow development boat into the real rushing world of a more vicious market without the soft power of being the PCV, who everyone asks out or pays for to show thanks etc.

If you have questions for why I ETed or more specifics write me. Please think for yourself & make sure your decision is right for you, before leaving those behind!