Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

I spoke with Emily last Monday and I have been nominated (seriously this time) to serve as an Agricultural Extension Agent in French Speaking Western Africa. They had to make an exception for me because I don’t know any French. But I am learning it now! This program is set to depart in September 2009.

As promised, I cross referenced French Africa with the areas in Africa that PC goes and here’s a short list of possibilities:

  • Mauritania
  • Senegal
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Madagascar (lemurs!)
  • Guinea
  • Burkina Faso
  • Benin
  • The Gambia

Please keep in mind that the PC is known for being changeable; nothing is for sure until I get a plane ticket basically. I may very well end up somewhere else.

I had a lot of blood draw for all sorts of tests, plus a tetanus booster, a polio vaccine and a TB skin test… And as many of you know I have a huge needle phobia, so it was not my day. But it’s all going to be worth it. In case anyone was wondering if I am really going through with it, this is your sign. When they get needles into me, you know I’m not messing around.

Another feelings update:

I’m thrilled! It’s all becoming much much more real to me, and every time I tell someone else it becomes just a little more real. I’m so very scared, as I have never been to Africa before, and I worry about the political unrest, etc. But after reading many blogs of PCVs in these countries, I feel much better. None of them seem to feel unsafe at all, and none have reported crime beyond petty theft (which happens everywhere).

The thought of truly leaving everything behind is becoming more real too. I am already a little sad to think about how much I am going to miss everyone and how different my life will be. I am scared about the food, and missing my mom too much. I am scared about being alone and finding enormous and not so nice looking bugs.

But more than ever, I feel that this is what I need to do. I know that I would seriously regret backing out of this opportunity. It’s scary/crazy, but that’s one of the reasons I need to go through with it. I have a chance to make a difference to a whole community, and to help a group of people increase their standard of living. How do I say no to that? Just because I’m scared of being alone and eating things I don’t like? Just because I’m scared to be in danger and discomfort?

Not only do I get to help them, I know how much I’ll grow as an individual. I’ll come back flexible (tri-lingual, so cool!) and with more confidence in being able to navigate my world than ever before.

At the same time I am trying to remain flexible to the possibility I will end up in a totally different program.

Thank you all for your support. It’s been amazing to have so many people excited for me and talking to me about it.