3 Reasons Why I Decided To Turn Down The Peace Corps | My Application, Interview, and Invitation to Serve

“What Starts Here Changes The World” – University of Texas motto (my school)

I used to have BIG dreams. I could change the world, one person, one impoverished city at a time. I had always wanted to join the Peace Corps and it was finally a convenient time to get started.

So, I sent in an application to teach in Madagascar, survived a horrendous interview, and got an invitation to serve for two years on the Peace Corps. 

I was going to graduate in five or six months and didn’t know what I was going to do with my life, so I took my chances with the Peace Corps. I applied at the very start of this year (2018), which took a couple days. The application process is no joke. I had to gather immunization documents and other health records, wrote an essay which I had proof-read, reached out to references (which they actually do contact) and answered pages upon pages upon FREAKIN’ PAGES of questions.

And for that interview, dang, they expect you to be hella prepared. They demand that you ask questions on certain given topics. So prior to the interview, I read everything on the website about Madagascar and serving on the Peace Corps, read other Peace Corps Volunteer’s blogs about Madagascar, and read about life there on Wikipedia. I also met with our campus Peace Corps recruiter to learn more about what to expect.

I interviewed a couple weeks later, which despite all of my preparation, was still a shit show. I’ve had my fair share of interviews and I’ve never encountered an employer so cold and harsh. Honestly, this interview was the main reason why I decided to turn down the Peace Corps. It was so rigorous that it almost turned me off from the organization as a whole and depleted the passion I had for serving. But f course, I didn’t let that show.

They sent me questions to prepare answers to beforehand, and half of my answers didn’t satisfy what she was looking for, so I had to think of alternate answers on the spot. It was really intimidating, but I didn’t let it get to me. I do pretty well under stress, and I honestly think she was trying to see how I handle stress. When it came time for me to ask questions, I was already very knowledgeable so my questions may not have been the best. Even though I stayed tough and determined, I felt belittled and undermined. So you can imagine my surprise when I actually got the job. I did it!

They sent me an email telling me I have to accept or decline their invitation to serve in 72 hours. 

Like, geez. Okay. Three days to make a huge life decision. After three days, they automatically decline the offer. But get this: they sent it on a Thursday that I happened to only check my other (work) email, and over that weekend I was on a retreat, so, I didn’t actually see it until it was too late. Since I check my emails from top to bottom, the first email I saw was actually saying my decision was due yesterday.

So before I could even get excited that I was accepted, I first went into disappointed shock that I missed my chance. 

Or so I thought. The email said they will extend the offer to other volunteers and I had to fill out this form with my reason for declining, or my application will be withdrawn due to “poor communication.” Since I didn’t want to ruin my chances of applying in the future, I clicked the link to fill out the form. BUT WAIT! It wasn’t just a reason for declining. When I clicked the link it actually gave me an option to accept by the end of the business day!!!!! WHAT!?!?!

That changed everything. I now had 3 hours to make this decision. I was at my internship, and my boss told me to go the heck home, call my mom, dad, and sister, and PRAY. The very first person I told, even before my coworkers, was a friend that encouraged me to apply back in December when I first brought it up. Then I frantically called my friend Rachel and through lots of deep breaths we decided I shouldn’t take the offer. I told her my hesitancies, which I’ll explain to you guys in a minute, but I still wasn’t entirely convinced.

Two hours left. I then posted about it on Facebook (naturally), left work, and went straight to the chapel to pray about it. I was feeling at peace about declining the offer, and called my mom because I knew she’d be thrilled to help me decide AGAINST the Peace Corps (she’s not a fan), and I was still unsure. One hour left. I was so frantic because this is a HUGE decision to make, and the hours kept passing, and time is of the essence.

But at the end of the day, I said no. Here’s 3 reasons why I decided to turn down the peace corps:

1. A lot of factors went into my decision. I read that one of the languages in Madagascar is French, which is one of the reasons I even chose Madagascar. I was the French Club President and was thrilled at the opportunity to work on my French. But the interviewer said “nah, they don’t really speak French.” Okay, fine, I guess. Of course there were other reasons for the Peace Corps.
2. Based on my readings, I knew EVERYTHING in Madagascar would be very different from Austin, TX, but I was okay with that because at least I’d have a team of fellow Americans there with me. But no. I learned in the interview that Madagascar is so poor, they only accommodate one Peace Corps volunteer per town, and the next town over is a day’s journey away. Okay…..but the job description sounded like I’d be working closely with another teaching volunteer. Guess not. Well, alright…..
3. Then she told me I’d live alone, and I guess that was really the straw that broke the camel’s back.  There is quite a bit of crime there, and the most vulnerable target for theft and assault would likely be a cute, little, young foreigner who lives alone, walks alone, and has no one looking out for her. Furthermore, I am WAY too extroverted to live all alone, in a place where literally nothing is familiar to me, where everyone speaks a language I don’t know too well, and where I’d have no friends. It sounds like something I would passionately hate, so I turned it down.

I might apply again in the future.

Who knows? I would still love to serve, but I would have to do more research on which countries have teams rather than solo artists. I simply couldn’t do it alone. And that means a lot coming from me, because I do many things alone. I truly praise the Lord for the opportunity, but it’s one I’m glad I averted.