Oh and I forgot: I am applying for programs at Yale, Columbia, NYU, Johns Hopkins....I think thats it. I keep thinking maybe I should pick some SUPER safety school or something just in case. How about you? What schools are you looking at?
My experience with the Peace Corps was WONDERFUL. I was an agriculture extension volunteer in Bolivia and finished my service this past fall. I graduated in June 2006 with an intl development/intl affairs degree and wanted to figure out how I wanted to apply myself in the global arena, so I did the PC to help me figure that out. While I loved learning about beekeeping and gardening and tree nurseries, I realized that my true passion was health care. I would definately recommend spending two years with the PC. It may seem like a long time, but my perspective goes like this: our lives are finite. You can spend those two years doing some job, wherever, that you might learn something from, maybe not, but it wont be all that special (most likely). OR, you can spend two years immersing yourself in a new culture, meeting great people (in country and other PCVs), learning really unique new skills, AND building a GREAT resume for applying to MSN/MPH programs when youre done. There also exist all sorts of fellows programs for Returned PCVs, like nursing and Johns Hopkins or Intl Affairs stuff at Yale. You should check out the benefits online. The PC is THE BEST way to go to a new exciting country, wherever it may be. Ive had friends all over Africa and Latin America and Asia and wherver it goes, the PC takes GREAT care of its volunteers.
So, thats my perspective. Please let me know if you have any more questions, and good luck.
