No more North Africa/Middle East in January

Well..be flexible, right? 50% of applicants don't go where they were originally nominated for so it's no surprise I will not be going to the North Africa/Middle East region in January anymore. I received this email today (I will post it at the bottom of this blog) which pretty much explains everything. The questionnaire I was asked to fill out asked me many questions such as what I've been doing to prepare, what my physical capabilities were, what challenges I expected to face etc. I sent it in maybe 1 or 2 hours after she sent it to me. I am a little bummed that my new departure date is in March and that I will not be going to N.A./M.E., but that's okay. At least a Placement specialist is looking at my application. Also, Eastern Europe sounds pretty cool, and I never had any preferences of destination anyway. It is just funny because I speak both spanish and french, and now they have selected a region in which those languages will be somewhat useless.

The following is the email I received today from my Placement Specialist:

Hello Miranda-My name is ________ and I am the Placement and Assessment Specialist working with your application.  I wanted to touch base with you today about where you stand in the process.  First, the Office of Medical Services (OMS) has deemed you medically qualified for service and provided the Placement and Assessment Office with site specific support guidelines to ensure that you may serve healthfully and happily. These guidelines are based on 50 years of institutional knowledge, and the available medical care in each of our host countries.  The Placement and Assessment Specialist must work within these guidelines to make sure the Applicant is considered for the appropriate programs.  Part of this process involves seeking individual medical approval on behalf of the applicant, from Peace Corps Medical Staff in specific host countries.    The Placement and Assessment Office works very hard to identify placements for all qualified and suitable applicants.  The placement process is complex and accommodating these guidelines adds another layer of complexity.  All applicants are asked to demonstrate their flexibility and willingness to serve where  and in the capacity Peace Corps deems their skills are most needed and this is especially true when site specific support guidelines must be considered. Your medical information is confidential, and the details are not shared with the Placement and Assessment Office.  If you would like to discuss medical questions feel free to contact OMS at __________At this time I can confirm that the program to which you were originally nominated is not an option, medically speaking.  I have received medical approval however, for an alternate program.  Based on your medical clearance, and our upcoming programmatic needs, you are now under consideration for the following program:·        
English Teaching·         Eastern Europe·         Departing: March 2013

Your application has undergone a preliminary placement review and I am in the process of conducting the final assessment.  As part of this assessment I would like to review and answer the attached questions.  Please send your responses, by of before Friday, Sept 14th.  I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm Regards,
_____________