Friday, May 18, 2007

Summer Break

Last Saturday was graduation. It was a bittersweet moment. It feels so strange to be done. I am now a college graduate. I have a diploma (or will when it is mailed to me). Now I just have a summer break and then grad school starts in the fall. Crazy. I am currently trying to find a summer job that is somewhat applicable to my future career. If that doesn't work though, then I might get a job with one of my friends.

In Peace Corps news, I got my med kit in the mail last week. It says to get it done immediately, but I'm not really in a rush. I don't think it's the same for PCMI candidates. I won't leave for a year at the earliest. I feel waiting until September can be okay. I need to find out what will be covered by my insurance and what won't be. The dentist stuff is only good for a year, so I am trying to get that done near the end of summer when I am still on insurance, but not too soon that I have to get some new x-rays before I am sent off. I can't wait for actually getting it done, sending it in, and letting the fun begin. I've read some horror stories of what happens with the med kits, but some people I've talked to haven't had a problem at all. So we'll see what happens to mine, just not for a while.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Graduation and Onward

I decided to start this blog because I found the blogs of other volunteers to be very helpful when I was thinking about applying for the Peace Corps. I know that when I am abroad, this will also be a great way to keep all my family and friends updated on all the things going on in my life.

To begin, let me introduce myself. My name is Michael Hotard, and I am a senior at the University of Georgia. In a little over a week, I will be graduating with a degree in sociology and economics. I have been accepted to the PCMI program at Illinois State and will be studying Applied Economics and Community Development. I hope to actually start the Peace Corps part of that two autumns from now. I do not have a preference of where I can serve. I think everywhere will offer some awesome adventures for me.

I will write more about my application process so far and my motivations for joining in upcoming entries.