In order to best share my thoughts, experiences and expectations, I had originally thought to make a blog but figured that I would (hopefully) have so much to share that a more organized website would better showcase my experiences.  However, because I still haven't left for Costa Rica, much of my first posts will likely be in a blog format and simply explain what I am doing to prepare, what I would have done differently and some important deadlines.

Today is the official 60 day to departure mark where all medical forms, shots and dental exams need to be completed and turned in via the medical portal.  While the entire application process I went through has already begun to change to become more streamlined, I included a timeline of important steps in the process here.

At this point I guess all I have to do is wait (again) for more information about departure and staging and mentally prepare for the 27 month assignment ahead.  From what I have been told, I will be receiving more information about staging about one month ahead of departure.  Staging is on March 9th and likely in Houston, DC or Miami but depends on where you are going and when you are leaving.  I believe its just a chance to meet the other PCVs that are going to your country of service and for Peace Corps admin to make sure everyone is ready to go.  From there, we leave on March 10th for San Jose for pre service training.

My biggest fear is not knowing what exactly I will be doing and where I will be.  The assignment description is intentionally vague and outlines about 15 different things I could be doing once I arrive at my site but there is a huge range of alternatives and because I am not sure what I'm going to be doing, I am also nervous that I wont be able to provide the right type of change or enough of it to truly see a difference in the community.  I haven't been able to find a lot online regarding Community and Economic Development with the Peace Corps and much of the information about PCVs in Costa Rica focuses on Youth Development or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) so hopefully this blog/website will serve as a reference for someone in the future looking for information regarding CED in Costa Rica.

Much of the blogs from PCVs in CR have been updated at least once a month so that will be my goal as well, but since I am unsure of the internet situation I will do the best I can.

-Conor