It seams like time is flying by at a slow pace, I know that sounds like a contradiction but it seams like I am running out of time to complete everything that needs to be done before I leave for Granada in January. This week I am starting my todo list and checking things off. I looked at my packing list for the Caribbean's and compared it to the cloths I already have. I have quite a bit of shopping to do!!!!!! Cloths and other bathroom stuff. We are getting my car registration done this week and shopping :) I am so exited but I am also starting to stress and over think. Its such an exiting time in my life second AA just 4 class away and Peace Corps :) Thank you for all of the love and support from everyone. My packing list coming soon.

I finished my aspiration statement

ASPIRATION STATEMENT

Alexandrea (Allie) Armstrong

Eastern Caribbean

January 24, 2013

I have high expectations for myself working as a special education teacher. I want to help educate teachers, society, and other students about what causes disabilities and how we can develop ways for the disabled to live comfortably with their disabilities. I want to create new ways for teachers to work with different people so each one is receiving the best education possible.  To adjust to the new culture I am going to be very observant, watch how people teach and work with each individual. I will also ask various questions to help in my understanding of how things are done. I am then going to create multiple new techniques that teachers can use to benefit their students needs. I also am going to work one on one with the students who have disabilities so I know where their skill levels, and needs are.

A: Identify three professional attributes that you plan to use during your Peace Corps service and how these will help meet your aspirations and commitment to service.

I am going to use skills that I have gained from my work experience, volunteering and education to fulfill my personal goals and the assignment given to me. My bachelor’s degree was in rehabilitation for special needs. I absorbed information on a variety of disabilities and how to work with each individual in a school setting.  I am going to create fun ways to keep each individual students engaged in their academics to better their future. I have worked for United Cerebral Palsy for a little over two years as an in-home care provider for people with all kinds of disabilities.  I worked with people and children with physical and cognitive disabilities. I did everything from Bathing, feeding, clothing to giving medications.  I also have done some volunteer work at a camp that works with adults with disabilities were I took care of a camper twenty-four hours a day for four days. I am currently finalizing my Associates degree in art, which has given me many creative ideas on how to use art as a teaching tool. I additionally participated on an art comity, and spent two summers teaching art to children in a summer program.  I love learning about new things, about people and helping them stay happy and healthy.

 

B: Briefly identify two strategies for working effectively with host country partners to meet expressed needs.

My first strategy is to do a lot of research on the culture, society and the current state of the people with disabilities. I want to be prepared so that I am respectful at all times. My second strategy is to be very observant and ask a lot of questions form my teachers and host family as I go along. It is critical that I fit in with the people and provide a positive influence for the children, teachers and town’s people.

C: Your strategy for adapting to a new culture with respect to your own cultural background.

One of the reasons I joined the Peace Corps was to experience other cultures, bring back with me a part of those cultures, and share my experiences with the people that I meet. I believe each individual creates their own culture. Being able to experience other cultures will allow me to expand and improve upon my own. I fully expect to have to do things outside of my comfort zone, but that’s the part of the experience that I’m looking forward to.   I have spent some time out of the country, and traveled to Africa on a medical support mission last year, so I have experience adapting the other cultures. 

D: The skills and knowledge you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project.

I'm hoping to learn about the needs of the community in regards to people with special needs and what they already know about people with special needs. Learning this will allow me to come up with a project that will best help the community, the people with special needs and the family of people with special needs. One of the skills that I hope to develop is a better understanding of how to approach families of people with special needs, how to help them develop skills in living with the member or members of their family with special needs and better the futures of these family members.

E: How you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends.

This opportunity will help me develop personal and professional goals in special education from both perspectives. I believe it will help me become a better advocate of special needs awareness locally as well as globally. Continuing and helping develop special needs programs in another country will help me better understand the need in my community for such programs. This will be a life changing experience that I will never forget and one that I can continue to draw from for the rest of my life.

I finally got my answer

It is the most amazing and overwhelming feeling in the world when you finally receive conformation that you have been awarded a place in the Peace Corps. I have been invited to serve from January 24th, 2013 to March 29th, 2015. I am going to be working in community development as a special education teacher in the Eastern Caribbean. It has always been a dream of mine to educate people in different countries about disabilities. Now I have a few things to do before I can go. I have to write my aspiration  statement, organize my resume, apply for my visa and sign up for my passport. Wow no pressure to get everything done in four months. Also I need to call and make sheer that my medical, dental and vision will still be up to date by the time I have to leave. Wish me luck.

It says they picked a place for me to go :) Idk where yet :(

Today I talked to my official placement officer for the peace corps and I should be herring from them in the next 1-3 weeks. Finally some good news :)

The beginning

This is the beginning of my blog, I hope it helps me stay in touch wherever I go in life.