Peace Corps 2.0: Staging and Orientation

After finally getting through all the paperwork, submitting all forms by the deadlines given, and getting medically cleared, we finally get the information we’ve been waiting for: the actual departure date to our host country where we will be spending the next 27 months. Staging and Orientation usually takes place in DC, New York, or Northern Virginia. My first Staging and Orientation event for Romania was in DC and the second time for Armenia was Northern Virginia. Staging took place in mid February for me the first time and then late March the second time.

 There are usually a lot emotions going on during this time. Excitement, anxiousness, restlessness, fear, and uncertainty are all going through you as you realize its finally happening and this 27 month journey is about to start. It starts to hit home that for the most part, you won’t see many of your friends and family for quite some time. All the luxuries and conveniences we are accustomed to will no longer be available. As we all start to gather in the conference room for the first time you notice all the different age groups, ethnicities, and male/female ratio immediately.

 Most of the Staging and Orientation day is doing group exercises focused primarily on getting to know each other and going over expectations of service. It’s this moment when you realize the talented and interesting backgrounds of your new colleagues who will be your new family for the next 27 months. You also learn how diverse the group is and what parts of the country they are coming from. A large number came from California the first time around for me and this time a large number came from Texas.

 The best part about the Staging event is getting to know your colleagues and understand their motives for joining the Peace Corps. I found it extremely inspiring to hear one of the older colleagues say that this was her third time trying for the Peace Corps. Family and career don’t always make it ideal to take part on a long journey like this but its nice to know that there is a time and place for everything and perseverance pays off. Another Volunteer said they were quite young when they heard “the speech” by President John F. Kennedy! Hearing many stories like this reassure me that my decision was correct.

 The last thing to do is wait for the bus to pick you up from the hotel. It’s quite a site to see, roughly 40 people with an insane amount of luggage moving in a big herd. The biggest concern at this point is hoping our luggage is the correct weight or else get stuck paying a hefty overweight fee. Our flight left in the evening to Paris and then we had a 5 hour layover before finally arriving in Armenia. With flight times, layovers, and buses to and from the hotel and airport we traveled for 24+ hours. Upon arrival we are greeted by the Peace Corps Armenian staff and current Volunteers who are there to assist us with anything.

 Orientation takes a few days and this is where we get to meet the entire Peace Corps Armenia staff. Administrators, language instructors, medical staff, etc. tell us what to expect and the protocols that are in place. Current Volunteers who have been there and at the near completion of their service also give presentations on what to expect. It’s an extremely rough introduction because the majority of the group are fighting jet lag and fatigue. Anyways, we get through it and are shipped off to our villages where we will stay with our host families for the next 10 weeks. This is where things get really interesting because the cultural immersion is in your face and relentless.

 Stay tuned for more….

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