Peace Corps in Guatemala: Last Training Post

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Last Training Post

Greetings everyone!

This will be my last entry as a trainee as tomorrow is our swearing in ceremony. We will have the privilege to be sworn in at the Ambassador’s house by the Ambassador himself. I am sure it will be a fun filled event. After that we will all get together in Antigua for our last farewell together as a training group and enjoy a last night together. On Saturday we will then all have to travel to our respective sites spreading out all over the country from the eastern part to the western part. From out group I will be the only one going to Huehuetenango (Way-way-tah-nan-go). I have two site mates that are in the program of healthy schools and have been there since March.

For the most part training was an incredible experience for me being here in country already since August! Time has really flown by for the most part but there have been days that just seem to crawl as well. I know that I will really miss my host family as we are incredibly close and have bonded really well. They have already invited me back for Christmas and have told me to consider their door always open. I feel incredibly lucky because most other volunteers often do not have this type of relationship with their host families. This transition has been one I can look back on with great admiration and joy. I know I will be in touch with them and see them from time to time.

Yesterday we had a Spanish exit exam and I have move up a few levels which is fun to see some progress. I will be anxious to see what the next 3 month will be like as most RPCVs(returned volunteers) and current PCVs (current volunteers) say is the toughest in the whole service. This is the time when you are moving into your community where you will be in for the next 2 years, and the first 3 months are integral into your integration into that community. It’s going to be some tough work, some lonely nights and hard circumstances but one I am willing to take on. Only time will tell. I am also excited to start working with my agency in the municipality (I will write a little more about this coming up in future posts of what exactly it is I will be doing (I have to figure that out as well)). It could range from a lot but mostly working with the planning office and aiding in project design and management.

Lastly, thanks for all the support stateside! It means a lot to have all you guys rooting for me over here!

Thank you all!

Frank

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