This is actually happening!

I remember the first time I started thinking about Peace Corps my senior year at Brockport and now the time has finally come for me to leave for Panama! Once I made the decision to send in my application, the Peace Corps has pretty much been all I could think about for the past year. As everyone graduated from college, got jobs, and married, I was waiting (not so patiently) to get my invitation. And while some might think I'm crazy, leaving the US and my comfortable life and not getting a "real" job after graduating from Columbia to live and work with those less fortunate than us in a whole new country....too bad. I could not be happier! I know that at this time in my life, the Peace Corps and Panama are what is right for me. I know that this is going to help me figure out what I want to do with my future. And that I am going to have an awesome time doing it!

What exactly am I going to be doing? 

Not sure! But what I do know is that I am going to be a community environmental conservation (CEC) volunteer. According to my letter, "The purpose of the CEC project is to assist Panamanians in learning techniques which will help them in reducing their impact on their local environment, especially in and around the sensitive ecosystems of protected areas and important river watersheds." Possible assignments could include: supporting school environmental education activities, promotion of environmentally responsible practices, and working with youth groups.

What are my next steps?

• Staging in Miami: Pre-departure orientation which includes intro to Peace Corps and Panama and paperwork.
• Aspirante Retreat in Ciudad de Saber: A few days getting acclimated to Panama. Shots, language placement, and expectations.
• Training in a community outside of La Chorrera: About three months of intense language, technical, cultural, and safety training. I will be staying with a local family during training.

I will try to keep up with emails and the blog and much as possible, but snail mail works too. It might take awhile to get to me but it will be much appreciated! The address below will be good until July 7th.

AMY STYPA

Cuerpo de Paz/ Panama

Edificio 104, 1 er Piso

Avenida Vincente Bonilla

Ciudad del Saber, Clayton

Corregimiento de Ancon

Panama, Republica de Panama

This has been a long journey so far and so much more to come!