Volume 4 Issue 3
Page 19
You’ll get to visit the PC Headquarters in DC
on a regular basis. While you’re there, say
hello to your Placement Officer and Country
Desk Director! Also, the med evac lounge is
a nice place to hang out with other PCV’s,
maybe read a book, surf the net or make a
phone call home.
surgery itself! Peace Corps gives you 45
days from the time you return to the US to
the time you can be medically cleared. I
wish I could say that all my PCV friends
were able to return to country, but that is
not always the case. Of course, a lot depends on your reason for being med
evac'd in the first place.
So, if you have the med evac experience
yourself, there are a few things to keep in
mind…
One of the most helpful things was being
able to talk to other PCV’s who had been
med evac’d before me, which I was grateful for. I ran into Annette and Hugo (who
had also been med evac’d) just before I
left and they had lots of advice for me, but
the nicest thing was when Annette gave
me a hug and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll be
back.”
1). Prepare for Culture Shock both coming
and going. Coming back was harder partly
because it was coupled with jet lag.
2). If you’re going over the summer months,
bring a swimsuit. The hotel has a swimming
pool.
3). If you’re lucky, you might have a little per
diem left over to bring back. It’s tempting to
spend it all on food and shopping, but bringing some back is great since the US dollar
goes a longer way over here. Also, bring
back some peanut butter and other American vitals.
4). Don’t forget to defrost your fridge before
you leave! I made this mistake and came
back after a month to a very moldy green
fridge. When I left I’d unplugged all my appliances including the fridge. The ice had
melted, collected in a lower tray and the
mold was *everywhere*. It took lots of
bleach and three days of scrubbing to get it
off.
5). Be patient with yourself when you return.
It’s a unique experience within the unique
experience of Peace Corps and it takes
awhile to feel comfortable in your own skin
again.
While it is nice to visit the States again, I
wouldn’t wish the med evac experience on
anyone. The stress it causes ain’t no picnic
and I was worried about being able to come
back to Macedonia, not to mention about the