Below are some important stages of a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) that I thought I would define before I start spouting off these foreign words/ideas in my posts:
Staging: Initial gathering/orientation that happens in a major city in the USA before departing to host country. This orientation briefs the volunteers on their job descriptions, what is expected of them and what to expect upon arrival and into the next stages of Peace Corps. It is a great time to meet the other volunteers and the in-country staff that are at the event. For my staging, I will be meeting in Washington, DC.
Pre-Service Training: After arriving in country, the first three months are designed to integrate the volunteers into the new environment with language, culture and skills training sessions. During this time the trainees will be placed with host families that speak their assigned local language. The volunteers will alternate from the training center to the host home throughout the three months of training. After the trainees pass language tests at a required proficiency, they are eligible to swear-in and become official Peace Corps Volunteers.
In-Service Training: Peace Corps Volunteers do a multitude of in-service training sessions throughout their two year service in a variety of topics to enhance their community and their projects.
Early Termination: When a Peace Corps Volunteer {or trainee} decides to discontinue his/her service before the 27 month requirement.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer: A Peace Corps Volunteer that has completed his/her service and has left the host country/returned to the United States.
And, below is a list of {some} acronyms, but don't worry, I will remind you of most of them before I use them again. . . hopefully.
AO- Administrative Officer
APCMO- Area Peace Corps Medical Officer
CD- Country Director
CDA- Country Desk Assistant
CDU- Country Desk Unit
COS- Close of Service
CWWS- Coverdell World Wise Schools (program)
DOS- Description of Service
ET- Early Termination
IST- In-Service Training
PCMO- Peace Corps Medical Officer
PCR- Peace Corps Response
PCRV- Peace Corps Response Volunteer
PCT- Peace Corps Trainee
PCV- Peace Corps Volunteer
PCVHS- Peace Corps Volunteer Health System
PCVL- Peace Corps Volunteer Leader
PST- Pre-Service Training
PTO- Programming and Training Officer
QTRS- Quarterly Trainee Report Summary
RPCV- Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
RRO- Regional Recruitment Office
SPA- Small Project Assistance
USAID- United States Agency for International Development (My Career Dream!)
VAC- Volunteer Advisory Committee
VAD- Volunteer Assignment Description
