Well, they always said that you need to be flexible....

January 23, 2015; S/P Application Day 209:

I was contacted today by the Peace Corps Armenia Placement Officer. She told me that there were no more spots in the Cambodia program that Sam and I had been nominated to. There are, however, two education spots open in Armenia. She told me that this was Sam and my best bet to be able to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers, but that it would mean I would be serving as an Education Volunteer rather than as a Health Volunteer. She's holding two spots for us. I have the weekend to discuss it with Sam. They need an answer on Monday.

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. When you start your Peace Corps Application, every one tells you that you need to be flexible to be a successful Peace Corps Volunteer. But of all the ways I imagined being flexible in my Peace Corps service- I never imagined that I wouldn't be doing something I loved. I've tried to get behind the idea, but no matter how I look at it, I don't like kids, and I'm not passionate about teaching. Not being able to serve as a health volunteer is extremely disappointing to me. 

On the other hand, all the reasons I wanted to apply to the Peace Corps are still relevant. Living in Armenia for two years will expose me to a new culture, it will expand my understanding of the world, I'll learn a new language. I'll travel and live in a part of the world that I'd never visit otherwise. And the secondary cross sector goal in Armenia is Gender Equality/Women's Empowerment, which is something I can really get behind. It's also a really good opportunity for Sam. Unlike the Cambodia program, the Armenia Education sector is one of only 3 PC programs which result in TEFL certification by the US government at the end of your service. 

I'm really dissapointed that I won't be able to work as a Health Volunteer. But given that that's no longer an option and the choice I have is working as an Education Volunteer in Armenia or not working as a Peace Corps Volunteer at all, I think I have to choose to go to Armenia. I just hope I can get rid of the bitter taste I get in my mouth ever time I think about it before then.