My Invitation

[weruletheschool]

i have scoliosis, would that get in the way of joining peace corps?

[TravisHellstrom]

I can't say for sure, but I would definitely say apply and see what happens. Peace Corps does everything it can to help qualified people serve. Check out my website to see some helpful information on applying. : )

[weruletheschool]

@TravisHellstrom Thank you very much, I will try :D, thanks for replying back!

[OutBack206]

Congrats man.

Way to volunteer, means a lot to everyone that your showing the world that the American culture is'nt one that's cold hearted and selfish.

[TravisHellstrom]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. I am very privileged, like all of us in America, and it is an honor to be here. I think we all have many great opportunities to serve our world, like Kennedy asked us to when he started the Peace Corps, and this is just one of those many ways. : )

[knite2005]

man how long did you waited for that?

[TravisHellstrom]

It was my third invitation, so that throws things off a bit, but 11 months after submitting my application, 10 months after my interview, 7 months after my first invitation and 4 months after my second invitation. : ) If I would have accepted my first invitation I would have been serving within 4 months of applying!

[cici544]

Did they ask you where you would prefer to serve, or do they just throw you any old where?

[jenewalk]

they do ask you where you want to serve, you can preference your region (not country) and there are 7 regions, but there is no guarantee because ultimately they place you based on your skills, but it seems they DO try to place you first in preferred regions if possible

[TravisHellstrom]

Sorry for the late reply, Jenna is right now. I asked for South Pacific at first, but later got Asia which is a different region. Peace Corps tries hard to work with you, but it is really best if you are flexible. : )

[TravisHellstrom]

Yep, exactly. : )

[foxpsychedelic]

Did you get placed in exactly where you wanted to be placed?

[bensearle2004]

congratulations! I should be reciving my invitation soon. I think I will record everything as well.

Good luck with everything.

[TravisHellstrom]

Sounds awesome, send me a link when you do!

[ulaannom]

AMJILT means success. Same as good luck

[ulaannom]

Her name is Ashlee.

[TravisHellstrom]

Ashlee is a wonderful girl, I have met her now! : ) She is so sweet and fun!

[ulaannom]

Hey Travis thanks for being Peace corps volunteer. especially for Mongolia. I appreciate that cuz I am Mongolian. I live in Chicago.

I just met girl who is going for Mongolia peace corps volunteer. She will leave for Mongolia May 31 from SF. She is so exciting.

I am going back to Mongolia in May 28th.

and I will be there. If you need something anything may be information or anything. Let me know. I will try to help what I can do.

And Good luck AMJILT !!! (in mongolian)

[TravisHellstrom]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your comment. I am proud to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mongolia and I hope that I can be of help there. Do you remember the name of the girl you met who will be serving in Mongolia? Thanks also for offering your help, I will definitely take you up on that. Thanks!

P.S. What does AMJILT mean?

[StephyRu]

Travis- i am hoping to see you in the future! Monoglia would be my dream PC place, but of course I would love to be any where. How long did it take from your first interview to this moment here?

[TravisHellstrom]

That sounds great, I really hope you get to join us! I interviewed in February 2007 and received my first invitation in May, my second in August and then received this third invitation in December. It is highly unusual to receive more than one extra invitation, but I was fortunate. Overall it took ten months to get from my interview to my final invitation. Where are you in the process?

[thatguyfromopenmic]

Congrats dude! I wish I would have recorded my reaction. =) I leave for Peru in June. =)

[TravisHellstrom]

Thanks, I really appreciate that. Peru! I bet that's gonna be awesome! Recorded or not, I bet you'll never forget how that felt when you opened up your invitation and saw the country. Congratulations to you too and I hope you have a great time!

[lucduchien]

I'm in M-19!!!!!  I'll probably see you there!! How excited are you? If you want to email or something, send me a message.

[lucduchien]

I'm invited to serve in Mongolia too.  I'm leaving Staging on May 31!!!1

[TravisHellstrom]

Hey, that's awesome! I'm way excited and I look forward to meeting you!

[mnmgal429]

Travis, I don't know you, but I'm nominated to go to Asia in August, too! Your video makes me so excited for you (and me!). I may be in Mongolia, too. That would be funny. :)

Best of luck!!

[TravisHellstrom]

Thanks Mary, I am really excited to see where you end up in Peace Corps!

[Polarbear34]

It brought back memories. Thanks, Trav.

[TravisHellstrom]

That's awesome Mark, thanks for your comment! You're welcome.