what next?

You may find yourself thinking, 'Michele, your time in Mali is soon up, what next for you?' Well, ladies and gents, I didn't want to say anything until it's 100% sure, but it looks like it is 99% sure, so I'll tell you... I'm doing a third year with Peace Corps.. in Senegal! Surprised??? I didn't think so...

I decided I want to move to Senegal, so for the past ~3 months, I've been looking and looking for a job.

The outcome: after dozens of positions applied to (all of which I was under-qualified) the only thing I heard back from was a position as a intern with a great NGO, but I would only have board covered, so basically I would have had to spent all of my readjustment allowance (and then some) to live in Dakar for a year. And let me tell you, Dakar is not a fun place to be when poor (well it actually is, but it's torture cause there's so many cool things to do in Dakar, but most need money). So I decided I would see if Peace Corps Senegal could offer me anything (you're allowed to extend for a third year and even transfer to another country ie Jacq in China). What PC Senegal offered me wasn't in Dakar, but it's a really interesting health position, and I think it will be great experience for working in the field of development.

I'm really glad I went through the experience of looking for a job though. I found out that the job market in Senegal is very competitive and you need lots of experience and or a Master's degree. So I'm going to get some really good experience with this job, make contacts, use my French, and hopefully I can find something paying after this.

I accepted a Preventative Health Educator position in the Rural Primary Healthcare Program with Peace Corps Senegal in the town of Kedougou in Southeast Senegal. I'll let you know when I know more details. As of now, I'm planning on going back to the states for a month from Aug 20- Sept 20, then going to Senegal.
peace