Peace Corps has a fairly big presence at University of Oregon, and sometime within my first 3 months there, I started attending info sessions. By the time I received my invitation 3 1/2 years later, I had read hundreds of past, current, and future PCV blogs. I had ordered and read books written by volunteers, and contacted a ton of different people with way too many questions. Everything leading up to that point had been pure speculation. I used peacecorpswiki to try and gauge where I’d be sent, but it was really anyone’s guess.
Once I got my invitation, I could start the real research. I quickly scouted out all the current Peace Corps Micronesia blogs I could find. I stumbled upon Janelle’s blog (she extended her service to May and is still a PCV in Pohnpei) and a post wherein she’d offered to help any of the incoming M78s with packing questions. Without hesitation, I sent her some questions I had about whether I should bring my laptop ( I should), if bringing leather flip flops is a good idea (it isn’t) and what kind of dry bag to purchase (one big enough for my laptop). She was super helpful and a great resource!
That being said, if there are any future Micronesia/Palau Peace Corps Volunteers reading this in preparation for your departure, us M78s are SO excited to meet you guys, and can’t wait to welcome you to Micronesia! If you have any questions, I’m happy to be a resource. Leave a comment here, or get my email address from the envelope icon in the upper right corner.T-minus 2 months!