First Post/Last Post until the end of Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT)

Today is July 14th and is the official end of my PDOT. I have already received all of the shots completed the training that I need to board the plane for South Africa.

When I found out that I had to go through PDOT I was a little stressed out since I had already gone through the grueling process of applying, interviewing, obtaining all of my clearances, and accepting the invitation; this was one more obstacle to overcome before reaching South Africa to become a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).

I was surprised when I found orientation extremely helpful. I learned what the Peace Corps (PC) was really about which confirmed my original beliefs. We also spent a large amount of time getting to know ourselves and our fellow Peace Corps Trainees (PCT). We discussed how the PC compared to other volunteer or National Government Organizations (NGOs). Through this discussion I confirmed that I was best qualified for the PC and it was the best fit for me. We did several activities that seemed silly at the time but in retrospect were very helpful in exploring our pre-conceived notions and how close they were to actual truth.

One of the most fun activities we did was at the end of the training which was called "Staging Capstone". In this activity we were told to select a group that we felt we related to the best: dancing, acting, artists, storytellering, music/poetry, and writing. Each group was given a slip of paper that told us what part of our training we had to represent through our form of expression; I chose music/poetry. Our group was required to define what we thought was the best way to integrate/gain acceptance with/from a community. Our presentation groups consisted of five PCT choosing a different beat to create through clapping, humming or some other form of soundmaking. The other groups seemed to appreciate our work. After seeing all of th.e PCT groups make their presentations I was in awe by their creativity .

At 6:30 this morning I will be checking out of my hotel and leaving for a government position we must have all of our passports. I look forward to the great new things that I will be or at least feel qualified for.

I feel somewhat prepared (due to the ambiguity of the provided by the customer we don't know exactly to expect. All I know is that we will be removed from American culture to break us of all of the things that we feel are necessities.

By 5:40 I shall have boarded the plane and be on my way to my new destination! During this time I hope to learn a ton of information about the cultural norms and begining my integration into South African communities. Sinc the PC is trying to break us of our addiction to communication comforts that have become a major part of American culture, we are not allowed to use cell phones in the hotel or at any time during PDT to talk to them. The only letters I have ever written have been college related. It will be approximately 3 months before I reach my site and can continue adding to this blog.

I look forward to setting foot in South Africa on Tuesday and am excited to share my experiences as soon as I get a chance!