Year 3 – Volunteering in Cameroon

The classic patch, representing a tradition of which I'm proud to be a part

COS is like most other things Peace Corps: an acronym (for Close Of Service) and a lengthy and complex process. When we PCVs (another acronym for you) applied to serve, we all had to go through a one- to two-year process involving being nominated, getting medical and legal clearance—which required a lot of waiting and return visits to the doctor for additional paperwork—all before we could be invited to enter into Peace Corps service. Then after staging in Philadelphia and a slew of uncomfortable vaccination shots came the 11 week training that we had to do in Cameroon before taking the oath of a volunteer. A language level had to be reached too before we were allowed to swear in.

Now the COS process—which usually starts in March—has come to a close and all the paperwork and clearance processes that have to be undergone to return home are finished.  I have received my RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) pin and DOS (Description Of Service) and I am ready to leave Cameroon.

The last official event that I participated in was the Gonging Out, which is a tradition for Peace Corps Cameroon in which we are given a small word of praise for our accomplishments, our pin, certification for French language, and a certificate of appreciation from the government of Cameroon. Now all I have to do is pack my bags, make my way to the airport and take off to my next destination!