My wife and I attended the PC Information event at the Main branch of the Central Arkansas Library tonight. We were kind of torn on whether or not to attend. We went to one before in Washington, DC, back when we lived there, so my wife felt that we’d probably hear much of the same information. However, we decided to go, if for anything else to see our competition. 
We met who the person who will be our recruiter. He seems like a nice person and we look forward to working with him. My wife and I introduced ourselves to him and we were able to talk to him about my “little application problem.” He stated that he’d follow up with the Recruiter Coordinator that we’ve been talking to the last few days. This, of course, is all fine and good, but we had some concerns that we needed clarified and we also learned a few things, too.
First, the recruiter stated that in a typical year that they deploy 4000 PCVs a year, but because of the poor economy they are only sending around 3,600 PCVs out a year. This drop in deployments has also been effected by a corresponding 18% increase in applications in recent months. As he’s telling us this, I can feel my heart sinking. Not only is competition stiffer now, as a couple I know it will take us even longer…. Yet, he says that he has wonderful news! In January, the Peace Corps’ budget was approved for FY2010 and the funding was $400 million (several million over what was requested). So, apparently the Peace Corps is working through the backlog of applications. This is great. Also, if the FY2011 budget is approved it is hoped that they can increase deployments to 5-6,000 PCVs a year!
My wife asked the recruiter if us having similar skills would hinder us from getting an Invitation. I have been tutoring and teaching English as a Foreign Language off and on for a few years, in fact my Fulbright was contingent on TEFL assistance at secondary schools in my host city. My wife has tutoring experience and was a Teaching Assistant in History when she was completing her MA. In other words, we’re pretty sure that we’ll get Education and we’re very excited about that. My wife asks the question and the recruiter replies that we are actually easier to place than any other couples. I take it that we’re kind of rare…. Maybe not, but there’s a chance that we could get nominated for a September departure. We have a lot of bills to pay off and ducks to order in rows before then.
Well, with any luck the wizards at the help desk will resurrect my application from IT Purgatory soon.
