A Window Opened | How and Why I Made The Jump Abroad

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A desire to travel

A desire to travel and see the world had always kinda been there for me. I was curious of the unknowns and fascinated by the possibilities in new places. 

Back in 2015, while I was studying at Michigan State, I stumbled upon the Peace Corps. I don’t remember how or when, but I remember instantly feeling like it was the right thing for me. I have always been involved with some sort of volunteer work and I genuinely enjoy helping others. Plus, the thought of going abroad just flat out excited me. Traveling and giving back to others? SIGN ME UP. 

Sights set on the Peace Corps

So just like that, I set my sights on joining the Peace Corps. It became my goal for post graduation. I added on a Minor, took internships and volunteered in all things ESL oriented; ESL stands for English as a Second Language. The Peace Corps has a number of ‘sectors’ that you apply for and work in. These are like different categories of work, they have 6 total: Community and Economic Development, Agriculture, Health, Education, Environment and Youth Development. Given where I was in school at that time, teaching English seemed like the most realistic and compatible sector for me. 

It’s funny, the many jobs or things I had envisioned for myself never included ‘Teacher’.  

The application process for the Peace Corps is a long one. Between all the questionnaires, essays, background checks and stages of interviews, it’s an estimated 6 month long ordeal. I was passionate about going and felt confident in my application. I did everything right and ticked most of, if not all, the boxes. I sought out advisors and I was consistently reassured to just be patient, I was a ‘very strong candidate’. When you apply to the Peace Corps, you can choose three locations as a preference for placement. My top three were 1. Tonga, a small island in the Pacific, 2. Madagascar and 3. Anywhere. The locations aren’t guaranteed but rather seriously taken into consideration. They try to make the best match possible- between the volunteer, the work they’d be doing and what’s needed in a location.

The door was shut

I made it through multiple stages and was awaiting my first virtual interview to be set. After many months of awaiting a date- FINALLY,  I received an email. The first line of the email thanked me for ‘my efforts’; that's never a good start, is it? 

Unfortunately, I was not offered a position with the Peace Corps. I was devastated and a little shocked. When I shared the news with others, there was a common response, ‘Denied? Aren’t you a volunteer?’. My advisors and all other Peace Corps recruiters assured me that this was often due to ‘high volume’ application periods and unlucky timing. Later, I learned that I applied when everyone else did; that year they had seen some of the highest numbers of applicants since the 70’s; which was when the idea of the Peace Corps was born. Advisors and people within the Peace Corps community encouraged me to re-apply right away and to not be discouraged. 

A window opened

Instead of reapplying, I sought out another way to go abroad. I thought maybe I needed to gain more experience before trying again. On top of that, I didn't want to go through another 6 - 8 month process for something that still wasn’t guaranteed; I wanted to get out there and I wanted to do it NOW. So, I interviewed with a company called TEFL Heaven and the decision was made. I was off to Thailand. 

No regrets

In hindsight, I probably wasn't ready; I only thought I was. I was 21 and full of enthusiasm but I can bet that the isolation and language barriers would have been a hard adjustment. I feel far more prepared for such an experience now. It was a tough ‘No’ to swallow. The door was shut and it felt like straight in my face, but it’s okay- I climbed through a window instead.

And when I look back on the last 6 years, I am so FULL. Full of gratitude and emotions that can’t be put into words, only felt. I wouldn’t change a thing. Had that door opened, I wouldn't be where I am now; I wouldn't have met the people that are now lifelong friends or have lived through the experiences I’ve had. I like the journey that I’m on and it’s all mine. 

The Peace Corps hasn't gone from my mind. I think about it from time to time and I do hope to re-apply, one day. I don't know when, but I don’t need to know. Maybe I’ll wake up and I’ll just feel like it's time. I could be 65, gray haired, wise from my years and think let’s go to who knows where. Isn’t that exciting?! Let’s send little old Grandma Madeline abroad. I love having that as something to look forward to. Another possibility; there is an infinite number of versions for what our future could look like. They’re all possible, it’s just our choices that decide; I believe we manifest where we want to be.

• Madeline

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