Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Well This Isn't Good...

Finally heard from my Placement Specialist today. It has been weeks. Unfortunately, it wasn't good news. It was quite the opposite. He said that he had spoken to two different countries, both of which did not want me as a volunteer due to my tattoos (note: none are offensive). He said that he is going to talk to a third country and I should hear something within two weeks, however, he said that the outcome will most likely be the same. This being said, it was followed by a "you will not become a Peace Corps volunteer" more or less. Needless to say, this left me feeling completely horrible. I'm going to start job searching now. Oy. I wish I was told this three months ago while I was still in school. This messes up plans a lot. It also leaves me with a lot of anger towards discrimination, even if the Peace Corps says the other country didn't want tattoos. It still comes down to the PC's decision, and this is how it ended up. Lucky me, huh? Official PC decision in a couple weeks, I suppose. I don't expect it to change.

Good luck, fellow applicants.

10 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear... maybe the third country will pull through for you though. Sad that tattoos are an issue for some people.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm really sad to hear that... I hope the third country works out in your favor. Even if the Peace Corps ends up not working out I'd looking to similar work...

    http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org
    http://www.eslcafe.com/
    http://www.englishfirst.com/trt/recruitment-process.html
    http://www.idealist.org/

    Good luck! Let us know how it works out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i am so sorry too. i would think that in the appropriate culture, your tattoos could even be an asset in working with youth- you could be a role model of how you can have tattoos and not need to be thug!! i hope you find an organization that embraces your self-expression. whatever happens, happens for a reason! it will all work out for us somehow :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dude, that sucks. I'm really rooting for you.

    You'll sort it out though, no matter what the outcome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am sorry to hear that. Whenever any PC applicant gets bad news my heart breaks for them as if it were happening to me. I hope all work out in the end. Best Wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ugh, what a bummer! I'm sorry to hear the bad news. I hope things work out though and that this third country gives you the thumbs up. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joey, this is just a note of empathy and support - - - can't really say much except to echo 'gruingitaidealista'.
    I had been enjoying reading your previous postings; was impressed by your insight and individualism. This posting reinforces those impressions and underscores that you have a lot to offer any organization with your ability to openly and objectively discuss yourself. Thanks for keeping your followers informed.
    I wish you the best in all future opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so sorry Joey. It's obviously not the nature of your non-offensive tattoos, just that some places of the world the idea of tattoos is too hard for them to understand or accept :( But if its not thru Peace Corps, there is a place for you to do good work somewhere across this big crazy world!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sorry to read your post. Best of luck and hopefully something will come through! Bulgaria would totally take you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm sorry. I'm really hoping that something will pull through. Keep us updated. We all want you to get an invite!

    ReplyDelete