Orientation and Pre-Service Training in St. Lucia
Orientation Accommodations
You will spend the first eight nights at the Pastoral Centre in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. On the weekend of your arrival you will be meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) for your medical interview and vaccinations. The official orientation program begins at 8:30 am on Monday, January 28th and lasts until Friday, February 1st, 2013.
At the Pastoral Centre, breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 am and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm nightly. A good night’s rest is recommended to ensure that you are prepared for the long training days.
Departure from Pastoral Centre
On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, you will gather all your belongings and depart for the community of Babonneau (which is situated north east of St. Lucia) to begin your Pre-Service Training (PST). There you will be hosted by a homestay family while you engage in the PST.
Vaccinations and Medical History
All trainees will have a one-on-one meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO). Vaccinations will be given as needed during Pre-Service Training.
Pre-Service Training (PST)
On St. Lucia & on Island of Assignment
While in St. Lucia you will engage in a four-week Pre-Service Training (PST) program from Monday, February 4th to Friday March 3rd, 2013. At the end of this training program you will transfer to your island of assignment. PST will continue on your island of assignment for an additional three weeks, from Monday, March 6th to Friday March 25th, 2013.
Home stay During PST
During PST you will live with a family both on St. Lucia and on your island of assignment. Living with a family can be one of the most valuable aspects of training. The host family can be of great help in assisting in your community integration and enhancing your safety and security.
PST Goals and Objectives
The goal of PST is to prepare you for the first six months of your service. The emphasis during training is on both adapting your existing skills and experience to the Eastern Caribbean environment, as well and on developing new skills that will enable you to be safe and work more effectively at your site. During your two years of service other training opportunities will be offered to hone your skills.
The training objectives are focused on providing the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will need to effectively communicate with your counterparts, adjust to the norms of a new culture and working environment, effectively accomplish your daily job requirements, integrate into your community, and ensure your own safety and security.
You will spend the first eight nights at the Pastoral Centre in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. On the weekend of your arrival you will be meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) for your medical interview and vaccinations. The official orientation program begins at 8:30 am on Monday, January 28th and lasts until Friday, February 1st, 2013.
At the Pastoral Centre, breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 am and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm nightly. A good night’s rest is recommended to ensure that you are prepared for the long training days.
Departure from Pastoral Centre
On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, you will gather all your belongings and depart for the community of Babonneau (which is situated north east of St. Lucia) to begin your Pre-Service Training (PST). There you will be hosted by a homestay family while you engage in the PST.
Vaccinations and Medical History
All trainees will have a one-on-one meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO). Vaccinations will be given as needed during Pre-Service Training.
Pre-Service Training (PST)
On St. Lucia & on Island of Assignment
While in St. Lucia you will engage in a four-week Pre-Service Training (PST) program from Monday, February 4th to Friday March 3rd, 2013. At the end of this training program you will transfer to your island of assignment. PST will continue on your island of assignment for an additional three weeks, from Monday, March 6th to Friday March 25th, 2013.
Home stay During PST
During PST you will live with a family both on St. Lucia and on your island of assignment. Living with a family can be one of the most valuable aspects of training. The host family can be of great help in assisting in your community integration and enhancing your safety and security.
PST Goals and Objectives
The goal of PST is to prepare you for the first six months of your service. The emphasis during training is on both adapting your existing skills and experience to the Eastern Caribbean environment, as well and on developing new skills that will enable you to be safe and work more effectively at your site. During your two years of service other training opportunities will be offered to hone your skills.
The training objectives are focused on providing the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will need to effectively communicate with your counterparts, adjust to the norms of a new culture and working environment, effectively accomplish your daily job requirements, integrate into your community, and ensure your own safety and security.
PST Components
Following this orientation you will begin your on-island PST, which is made up of the following training components:
Technical: modules delivered according to assignment area (Youth Development, Special Education, etc).
Universal Technical: modules delivered to all trainees regardless of assignment area and focusing on various aspects of development work.
Health: modules to support you in maintaining your health during your service.
Safety and Security: modules to increase your awareness of safety issues and help you to
remain safe during your service.
Cross Cultural: modules to enable examination of the host culture and your ability to adjust
to it.
Language: modules will provide an introduction to Kweyol (offered in Dominica and St. Lucia
only).
Training packages
-Youth panels and practica to gain experience working with youth in the areas of literacy and Life Skills Development.
-Shadow current Volunteers and network with community members involved in the area of your assignment.
-Methodology and Assessment Criteria
-The training is based on adult, experiential, self-directed learning principles, such as:
Introducing you to the conditions for professional independence and “self-starter’” roles which are the norm for a Volunteer in the field.
-Decreasing your dependence on the training group and Peace Corps staff in order to increase self-confidence and personal motivation.
-Responding to your individual needs and learning styles.
-You are encouraged to share your own skills and experience with other trainees throughout the training.
-The entire training experience is designed to encourage a collaborative approach to information sharing and skills exchange.
The training is competency-based and you will be regularly evaluated on your ability to acquire and demonstrate the technical, cultural, and personal health and safety skills needed to be a Volunteer.
-Objective assessment and evaluation tools, as well as periodic opportunities for giving and receiving feedback
Interviews
Twice during PST you will be interviewed by the Peace Corps representative (Associate Peace Corps Director) on your island and by other appropriate Peace Corps staff members. The interviews are intended to gauge your progress and to help determine your preparedness for Peace Corps service. Every effort will be made to support you in achieving the PST competencies by providing you with honest and relevant feedback so that you are clear about your skills and the opportunities for growth.
Following this orientation you will begin your on-island PST, which is made up of the following training components:
Technical: modules delivered according to assignment area (Youth Development, Special Education, etc).
Universal Technical: modules delivered to all trainees regardless of assignment area and focusing on various aspects of development work.
Health: modules to support you in maintaining your health during your service.
Safety and Security: modules to increase your awareness of safety issues and help you to
remain safe during your service.
Cross Cultural: modules to enable examination of the host culture and your ability to adjust
to it.
Language: modules will provide an introduction to Kweyol (offered in Dominica and St. Lucia
only).
Training packages
-Youth panels and practica to gain experience working with youth in the areas of literacy and Life Skills Development.
-Shadow current Volunteers and network with community members involved in the area of your assignment.
-Methodology and Assessment Criteria
-The training is based on adult, experiential, self-directed learning principles, such as:
Introducing you to the conditions for professional independence and “self-starter’” roles which are the norm for a Volunteer in the field.
-Decreasing your dependence on the training group and Peace Corps staff in order to increase self-confidence and personal motivation.
-Responding to your individual needs and learning styles.
-You are encouraged to share your own skills and experience with other trainees throughout the training.
-The entire training experience is designed to encourage a collaborative approach to information sharing and skills exchange.
The training is competency-based and you will be regularly evaluated on your ability to acquire and demonstrate the technical, cultural, and personal health and safety skills needed to be a Volunteer.
-Objective assessment and evaluation tools, as well as periodic opportunities for giving and receiving feedback
Interviews
Twice during PST you will be interviewed by the Peace Corps representative (Associate Peace Corps Director) on your island and by other appropriate Peace Corps staff members. The interviews are intended to gauge your progress and to help determine your preparedness for Peace Corps service. Every effort will be made to support you in achieving the PST competencies by providing you with honest and relevant feedback so that you are clear about your skills and the opportunities for growth.
Schedule
Both in St. Lucia and on your island of assignment you will travel to the Peace Corps training hub for training. Sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (end times may vary due to bus schedules). This should allow sufficient time for those traveling an hour or more to be on time for sessions and be home before dark. Days will be scheduled for you to visit your worksite, engage in networking, participate in practica and youth panels, and many other training activities. You will be expected to participate in family and community activities on evenings and weekends.
Departure from St. Lucia
On Saturday, March 4th, 2013, you will gather your belongings and depart for your island of service. Trainees assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica will travel by plane where they will be met by their on-island Peace Corps representative and Volunteers on island.
Swearing-In Date
After successful completion of Pre-Service Training you will be invited to swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers . The swearing-in ceremonies will take place during the last week of training. There is a separate ceremony held on each island.
General Information
Phones
US phone cards and cell phones do not work in the Eastern Caribbean so do not bring them. You can purchase local calling cards to call home or to make local calls. You may dial US-based, toll- free numbers (such as 800 numbers) but you will be charged the regular overseas rates. Staff and Peace Corps Volunteers have purchased “Magic Jack” in the US and use it to call the US for a small annual fee (approximately $19.95 USD). While most Volunteers have land lines at home, over 90% of Volunteers purchase cellular phones.
Internet access is available at the Pastoral Centre and at some host families but we hope you will immerse yourself in this new experience using your free time to get to know the other trainees and the Peace Corps staff who will be supporting you during the next two years. Please try to manage the expectations of your friends and families (and your own) so that they expect limited communication from you during your first few weeks in Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean.
Both in St. Lucia and on your island of assignment you will travel to the Peace Corps training hub for training. Sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (end times may vary due to bus schedules). This should allow sufficient time for those traveling an hour or more to be on time for sessions and be home before dark. Days will be scheduled for you to visit your worksite, engage in networking, participate in practica and youth panels, and many other training activities. You will be expected to participate in family and community activities on evenings and weekends.
Departure from St. Lucia
On Saturday, March 4th, 2013, you will gather your belongings and depart for your island of service. Trainees assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica will travel by plane where they will be met by their on-island Peace Corps representative and Volunteers on island.
Swearing-In Date
After successful completion of Pre-Service Training you will be invited to swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers . The swearing-in ceremonies will take place during the last week of training. There is a separate ceremony held on each island.
General Information
Phones
US phone cards and cell phones do not work in the Eastern Caribbean so do not bring them. You can purchase local calling cards to call home or to make local calls. You may dial US-based, toll- free numbers (such as 800 numbers) but you will be charged the regular overseas rates. Staff and Peace Corps Volunteers have purchased “Magic Jack” in the US and use it to call the US for a small annual fee (approximately $19.95 USD). While most Volunteers have land lines at home, over 90% of Volunteers purchase cellular phones.
Internet access is available at the Pastoral Centre and at some host families but we hope you will immerse yourself in this new experience using your free time to get to know the other trainees and the Peace Corps staff who will be supporting you during the next two years. Please try to manage the expectations of your friends and families (and your own) so that they expect limited communication from you during your first few weeks in Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean.
Local Currency/Money matters
The currency on all the islands in the Eastern Caribbean is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The exchange rate is about EC$2.7 to the US dollar. ATMs can be found on all the islands. Funds can be withdrawn directly from your US or local bank account
The currency on all the islands in the Eastern Caribbean is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The exchange rate is about EC$2.7 to the US dollar. ATMs can be found on all the islands. Funds can be withdrawn directly from your US or local bank account
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