Burning Bridges

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So, I just withdrew from the Teach for America application process. I wonder...should I have applied in the first place? I think the answer to that is yes, since I was unsure of my status for Peace Corps at the time (I just had the interview the day before!). Since my assignment in Peace Corps is not final until I actually get the invitation, I am definitely taking a risk in voluntarily limiting my options. However, I have every intention of accepting that final invitation and not that of Teach for America had I been able to get one (which I sincerely doubt but we'll never know now!). Still, I feel guilty for making my recommenders submit forms for me singing my praises (I hope!) just to have withdrawn from the whole thing.

I know that I have plenty more hard decisions to make in the future, but it feels like I have them too soon! However, I must live with no regrets and have faith in God's plan for me!

On that note, I am tentatively assigned to the Secondary Education/TEFL program in the North Africa/Middle East region! I looked on the website and the country needing Education Volunteers in that region is Jordan, so I am probably going there. I know pretty much nothing about the country so I look forward to immersing myself in its language and culture. I can't be too sure though, so I might be thrown for a loop and be placed somewhere totally different. Yay flexibility!

Guess who got nominated!!!

This morning I had my follow up interview with my Peace Corps recruiter, and she is nominating me for a Secondary English Teaching position! How exciting is that! However, in order to be a competitive applicant I must complete at least 30 hours of "English, ESL, TEFL, foreign language, or literacy tutoring experience in classrooms or one-on-one."

I know what I'm going to spend my summer doing! Hopefully I will have some sort of part time job so I can earn some money and then spend the rest of my time gaining English tutoring experience (as well as going to various conventions and seeing my sister in San Francisco).

I also advanced to the second part of the Teach for America application process! This coming Tuesday I will learn more about what exactly I have to do during the interview day. I am slightly apprehensive about this since I have to teach a five minute lesson on anything of my choosing as well as have a one-on-one interview, but I know it will be a great learning process for me regardless of the outcome.

It seems that no matter what I do I will become a teacher in some sort of capacity! Which is a good thing since it's in my genes (my grandmother was an excellent teacher).

In other news, the ten pages I need to write for my senior seminar paper are due Monday morning and not today at 5PM! Yay for slacking off! I still have plenty to do over spring break (homework and planning wise) but hey, I don't have to go to class for an entire week! :)