r/peacecorps • u/Lumpy-Hour7150 • Oct 04 '24

I’m so upset… Application Process

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I have severe food allergies but have managed my entire life without problems. Are there really other countries I could go to?

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4

u/Zapatarama Oct 04 '24

I was denied for serving in West Africa for being allergic to beer and wine in a country that's nearly entirely Muslim and has one the 20 lowest per capita drinking rates in the entire world. Was told less than a month before departing after quitting my job, ending housing commitments and rehoming a pet with a relative. I was able to pivot pretty easily but it felt so stupid and unnecessary.

2

u/paul_petersen Oct 04 '24

That’s so bizarre. Was there a concern you’d accidentally drink alcohol when you can obviously navigate the situation in the USA.

0

u/Zapatarama Oct 05 '24

The Peace Corps being the Peace Corps, they didn't invite any discussion on the matter and rejected my appeal as well. All that was essentially said was that they couldn't support my allergy.

I've been allergic to it my entire life and navigated living in a heavily inebriated college town and plenty of other situations since then with no issue as it's easy to a) identify beer and wine or anything that could be it, and b) also super simple to excuse yourself from drinking it (and seems like it'd be even more understandable in a culture that largely avoids it due to religion anyway).