<p>I joined CC in 2003, when my daughter was a high school junior. I was looking for advice about college applications/choices, etc. and found it here. Now, SEVEN years later, she’s two years post college graduation, and she leaves for her Peace Corps assignment Monday teaching English in China. I am excited, nervous, sad…I may not see her for a year or more!!! (We are planning a visit next spring or summer.) How to cope, that is the question.</p>
<p>Congrats, and good luck to your daughter! A friend’s son was teaching English in China last year, I think he’s coming home soon.</p>
<p>Wishing for such a good outcome for mine! Congrats to you and you daughter.</p>
<p>D just left this morning for China, and I’m definitely in need of some hugs–real or the cyber-kind! This is so very different from the college send-off, the study-abroad send-off, and the grad-school send-off. This is for TWO YEARS. And, it is VERY FAR AWAY. sniffle. sniffle.</p>
<p>My DD just passed her one-year anniversary with the Peace Corps. We probably won’t see her until next summer when she finishes. She then has one semester of grad school to finish; she did the Master’s International program with the Peace Corps. </p>
<p>She has really enjoyed the experience. There is no shower where she is and intermittent running water. No central heat or A/C. I doubt my other two would survive, lol.</p>
<p>It will get better!</p>
<p>(((HUGS)))) to filo and your dd. Ds is just a rising college freshman, so I have no experience in this regard, but seeing as how he’s going 1,000 miles away, I can relate. He’s even talked about doing Peace Corps eventually.</p>
<p>How proud you must be of her. She’s obviously bright and self-confident. Good job, mom!</p>
<p>filo- BIG HUGS to you! Everything will be OK. You deserve to be so proud. This story is an inspiration to those of us with kiddos still in the mix. </p>
<p>Thanks for posting this good-news story!</p>
<p>More HUGS…</p>
<p>Thanks cap for the pep talk! That’s nice to hear about your DD. My D also is doing the MIP with the Peace Corps and will have a semester to complete once she finishes her service. Where is your DD and what is she doing (if you don’t mind saying)?</p>
<p>Thanks melbert and Youdon’tsay! The cyberhugs really do help!!</p>
<p>I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Do you have a way to stay in touch with her? Email, Skype, Facebook? Or will she be somewhere too remote?</p>
<p>Hey filo!
{{{HUGS}}} to you! S spent a year in China while he was in high school. Being able to Skype made it SOOOO much easier for me.<br>
He is thinking of teaching there next year but he doesn’t know you could do so through the Peace Corps. Right up his alley! After you get over this transition time, I 'll have to ask about pointers for the application, ie how long for an assignment, etc…
Good luck!</p>
<p>Here are some more cyberhugs {{{{hugs}}}}. A year is daunting, but her experience will be amazing. I hope it goes quickly for you.</p>
<p>You know–as much as I love CC, I do feel it’s a little thin on post-college threads. To the OP–that sounds absolutely fascinating. You must be so proud. As to how to cope, you know this is all part of the natural order. I know that doesn’t make it any easier, but maybe you can keep busy encouraging CC to start a new post-college forum! (Followed by the grandparents forum. . . 
)</p>
<p>more hugs coming your way!! kudos to your daughter for peace corps also!!!</p>
<p>Hugs to you. I see your today in my future.</p>
<p>filo - HUGS to you and also CONGRATS on having a wonderful D. My nephew is coming home in August from a year in China and he has really loved his time there. Sending positive thoughts to your D as she begins what I hope will be a wonderful journey!!</p>
<p>So exciting! Best to you and your daughter as she embarks on this adventure!</p>
<p> {{{ HUGS }}}to you and all my best to your D…seems this parenting thing does not get easier! You are in my thoughts. 
</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyone! Yes, D will have facebook, skype, will write a blog, etc. (she purchased a VPN which is supposed to work even if various sites are blocked–we hope it will indeed work). I will be happy to share particulars about the application process with anyone; just send me a pm! And thanks again. It really is amazing how much the good wishes and hugs really do help!</p>