I just recently found out our official Close of Service date is May 12. That snuck up on me. It’s still five months off, but good God where did the time go??
Since the finish line is now in sight, it has got me thinking: What am I going to do when I’m done with the Peace Corps? Several people have asked me and I’ve never once responded with anything other than a shoulder shrug and a quick change of subject. It’s worse than when you were a senior in high school and everyone was asking you if you’ve decided where you’re going to college. I’m sure you remember that time. It’s all the old people ever wanted to talk about, and it stressed me out something awful.
But to tell you the truth it was easier then because at least with college, there were some parameters. Back then I was just deciding between four or five schools and I had the freedom and debauchery of college to look forward to. Now, on the other hand, I literally have no idea what I want to do when I leave Honduras. And no matter what, I will have the added drudgery of health insurance and car payments to get excited about.
The few people that I talk to keep asking me over and over again (dad) about what I’m going to do next. Most of my friends my age are either happily employed, or well on their way to degrees in law and medicine and whatnot. It’s intimidating really.
Though I’m not completely without direction. I’ve considered several things:
- Grad school – Masters in Public Health would be a logical choice. Although I’m not yet in love with the idea. I could pick something slightly more interesting but less practical: Masters in Latin American Studies. Or I could go with something infinitely more interesting, but generally useless: Masters in Creative Writing. Not to mention the whole grad school can of worms forces me to start applications and writing personal statements (blech) and applying for Peace Corps Fellows scholarships which will then limit me to about a dozen schools across the country, most of which are located in rather unappealing places (no offense New Jersey, Omaha and Albuquerque). I’m getting anxiety just thinking about it all.
- The other option is, obviously, job hunting. Gag me. Where do I even begin? I don’t have any established connections in any industry. Do people still go door-to-door dropping off resumes? My mom keeps telling me how bilingual positions are in high demand right now, so that’s promising. But I still don’t know if should I narrow things down by city or by job type. San Diego is really appealing right now, friends from college are luring me there. Also D.C. sounds promising; my little brother loves it there. But it can get damn cold from what I hear. Or perhaps I should go back to my roots and do some networking in Cincy. But again, too cold. And don’t even ask me what kind of job I would want because I simply couldn’t tell you.
- The option I’m most leaning towards: More traveling. That would be ideal. Peace Corps will be giving me a nice fat check for a few grand in May and I could definitely spend every cent of that traipsing through South America. I even have some girlfriends here in Peace Corps that have agreed to go with me. Machu Picchu. Buenos Aires. Rio. I wanna see it all…
Call me crazy but I have also considered extending my time here in Taulabe. Apparently we are allowed up to six months additional time with the Peace Corps, anything beyond that requires extra paperwork and special permissions and whatnot. I’m only considering it because, in some ways I feel like I’m just getting started here. I love this town and no matter what there will always be more stuff for me to do. Although if I did stay here longer, I would only be delaying the inevitable decision that I still have to make at some point regarding my re-entrance into society.
Sometimes it feels exciting to know I have these endless possibilities in front of me. It seems like every day I fanaticize about something new; starting a life in different places doing something exciting and fresh. But it’s also stressful and overwhelming and intimidating. I guess I have some serious thinking to do. Good thing I have no plans this afternoon except to chill in my hammock and do just that. Suggestions from friends and family are welcome (except dad. I already know what you’re going to say).
Writing it all down and looking at a list of options has been quite cathartic for me. Hopefully I’ll narrow things down as time goes on. Or not.
[sigh]
-Sarita
