A is for Acronyms

… and plenty of them.



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B is for Bricks

A brick is a cell phone that came before razors and smartphones, i.e. one of those phones that were too big to fit in your pocket. This is likely to be your form of communication while in country.



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C is for Cheese

A reoccurring wish list item from almost every country. Be prepared to read specific shipping instructions for each kind of cheese. Who knew cheese was so valuable?



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D is for Discounts

There are a few very generous companies that offer Peace Corps volunteers discounts on their products. DO take advantage of this opportunity – just keep in mind the golden packing rule of “less is more.”



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E is for External Hard Drive

After training you will have a tremendous amount of free time – bring an external hard drive stocked with movies, music, and books. Proving quality entertainment will instantly make you popular in the PC black market. Don’t forget to back up important programs and documents as well.

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F is for First World Problems

Wifi is too slow? You have to get up before the sun? Beer isn’t cold enough? These are first world problems. You will have plenty of them and the natives will think you’re crazy for them. Eventually they won’t matter.



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G is for Grant Writing

Very tedious task, very important and valued career skill for the rest of your life.



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H is for Home

Returning home may be the most difficult experience of your service. You will come out of this a changed person in someway or another. It’s crucial to remember that while you’re off living in a new world life still goes on at home. Think carefully on how you will prepare yourself for this.



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I is for Information sessions

Attend them before you apply, while waiting for an invitation, and right before you leave. Gather all the information, stories, and advice that you can. These are also great to bring your friends and family to to get some answers to their questions and reassurance to their concerns.



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J is for Jokes

You have to have a sense of humor before/during/after your service or you will not survive.



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Kis for Keeping the Trash Out

Due to generally being cut off from mainstream America you can avoid unnecessary media headlines, like anything to do with Justin Bieber. WIN!



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L is for Language Barriers

These will exist at all times during service.



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M is for Medical

Relationships with the medical team are love/hate. Medical clearance is extremely time consuming and expensive if you don’t have insurance, yet the medical is often the most responsive and helpful team you will come across. Please be kind to them!



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N is for No Worries

Bad and unlucky things will happen. Deal with it. Try not to sweat the things you have no control over and embrace new challenges.



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O is for Overprotective Parents

They mean the best but there is not a single thing you can tell them to convince them that you are A. Safe B. Eating a well balanced diet.



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P is for Personal Space

… which you will have all too much of as the weird American or none at all as the shiny new toy.



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Q is for “Quaint”

… how it will feel during every taxi and/or bus you take. Because 5 seats really means 10 adults, 3 kids, and a chicken.



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R is for Recruiters

There is a 100% chance you will feel the need to stalk them for any little bit of information and a 90% chance you will give in to that temptation at some point.



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S is for Sorry, Not Sorry

Along with all your hard work you get to do some crazy, fun, outlandish things and no one expects you to be sorry.



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T is for Toilets

No. 1 question you’ll get before you even know where you’re going, “Will you poop in a hole?” I present you this… please watch with a light heart, it’s supposed to be humorous.

U is for Uncertainty

Peace Corps’ middle name. Nothing about the experience is certain and you will feel like you’re in limbo for most of it. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and wear a smile through it all.



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V is for Vacant. Or Vacation.

Some days you will feel so empty and alone you will question if you’re alive. But it’s okay, you get vacation days to travel and drown those sorrows with other volunteers.



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W is for Wages

You will constantly get asked if you get paid. Short answer, yes. A very minimal living allowance for room and board during service and a small taxable check at the end for 27 months of work.



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X is for Xerox

For your own sanity make copies of ALL your important documents (passports, medical records, bank info) and leave them with someone trustworthy. You don’t be stranded in the middle of Zimbabwe with no access to your records when an emergency comes about.



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Y is for You

As in, “You! Hey, you!”… your new name to the natives for the first 6 months abroad.



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Z is for Zeal

Serve with zeal. You came into this experience with a cause, live for it with extreme determination.



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