Because I live on campus, whenever I receive a package, I get an email notification, telling me that I have to go pick it up from the post office on campus. Two days ago, while sitting at my computer, I received an email at 10 am, with the standard subject: “YOUR PACKAGE HAS ARRIVED AT UVA.” I clicked on it, with my heart racing. It was from the Peace Corps! But, as with every package, I had to wait until exactly 12:30 to pick it up – it felt like the longest 2.5 hours of this application process, strangely. After starting my application over a year ago, for some reason, these last 2.5 hours were, in some ways, the hardest. But at least I knew that it was good news either way, whereas waiting for my interview, nomination, medical clearance… those could’ve been bad and weren’t.

I tried to keep my mind off of my invitation, but of course, I couldn’t. I found myself standing outside of Newcomb Hall at 12:28 pm, waiting impatiently until it turned to 12:30, when I promptly went up to the post office counter. Because I pick up so many packages (mostly used textbooks, since I would go broke if I bought them at the bookstore), the post office ladies rarely ask me for my address and just head straight back to grab my package when they see me. As a result, usually, we don’t talk much. This time, though, after one of them got my package and gave it to the other person to scan the bar code, she asked me, “So, are you graduating?”

“Yes!”
“Oh? Where are you going next year?”
“I guess we’ll find out!” I point to the package. “You two will be the first to know.”

I quickly tore open the outer white envelope and then the blue package inside. I saw several pieces of paper and booklets inside. I reached for the letter on top first. My eyes quickly scanned the page, until I saw “Peace Corps Cameroon.” I started jumping up and down in utter joy, as the two women smiled at me. This was my first choice – my nomination was Francophone Africa, and there were only three SSA countries that I saw that were leaving in September – Cameroon, Togo, and Ethiopia. I had read in some Togo blogs that the new Health Extension volunteers were arriving in June, so I knew that Togo was out. Then, when my Placement Officer called me last Tuesday, he told me that my invite was for health extension, leaving in mid-September, for SSA. It was only afterward that I realized he didn’t ask about my French skills nor did he specify Francophone SSA. – so I was really worried that I was going to be placed in Ethiopia, when I wanted Francophone, West Africa.

Of course, I would have been so happy to get my invitation anywhere. But this was just perfect.

I’m not sure how else to describe it…I’ve been wanting this for so long – especially after volunteering for two months in Ghana with Unite for Sight – that it felt just so, so surreal. But, it’s happening, and in 4.5 months, I will be back in West Africa.