"Your account is currently under review"

As you can tell by the title, I've moved another step forward in my PC adventure. This began yesterday when I received a phone call shortly after lunch. It was a PC Placement Officer looking to ask me a couple questions about my expectaions, fears, etc. She started off by asking why I decided to join PC. So I started off mentioning things like adventure, seeking other cultures, learning a language, etc; basically my initial reasons for applying. Then I went on to talk about living amongst the people I'd be going to serve so as to find exactly what they need and focus my efforts to give them what they really need instead of just throwing money at them hoping that would solve their problems. She seems quite relieved when I mentioned this aspect of my motivation. It seems that she was a little worried by my motivation statement and the things my recruiter wrote after our interview because they were both missing the service aspect of being a PC volunteer. And looking back I realized that I, in fact, had not mentioned service in either instances. It wasn't just a simple overlook on my part. I was being completely honest in those communications. You see, the reasons mentioned in the statement and interview were the things that initially attracted me to the PC. It wasn't until I started to do more extensive research into the PC; it's mission and goals, and volunteer experiences, that the PC service bacame a part of my aims.

The Placement Officer continued onto subjects like what do I think would be the toughest aspect of PC service and about how I'd cope without the day to day ammenities that we have in this country. The latter was easy to answer. I had the most day/nights of camping of everyone in my patrol in scouting and I'd been the cook for my patrol for just as long. If I can make a meal with some of the things I've had to work with and with the tools I had to use, I think I could adjust to not having a fridge. With the first question, I didn't really discuss all the things that worried me. I mentioned the learning of language (and not feeling like an idiot when I make a mistake), the difference in culture, and being away from people I know. All very valid concerns, however, I refraimed from mentioning the fact that I'll have to lie to the people I'd be living with. Why would I have to lie, the same reason I lied to everyone here for a good portion of my life. Not only will I be lying by ommition, I'm planning on making up a girlfriend a thousand miles away, just so I won't be asked everyday why I don't have a girlfriend and be set up with every available bride in town by the time I leave.

In the end, she seemed satisfied with my answers and told me she'll being reviewing my file and call back sometime next week with either more questions or possible programs to discuss with me. So I'm looking forward to next week!