ADVICE NEEDED: thinking about joining the Peace Corps

[Blue_Tires]

I just wanted to get some insight from anyone that's ever done it--pros, cons, etc. TIA

[jpgray]

1. Don't pronounce it like "corpse"

That will get you off to a rough start, I hear.

[crispini]

2. The application process takes about a year.

And it is competitive. They look for you to have a background in the kind of program they will place you in. So, for example, Fishery volunteers should have a biology background, small business should have a business background etc.

You get three months of training. (edit: at least, they did when I went). Two language, one program-based, and then they turn you loose at your program site.

It's a great thing, I'd definitely do it again. You will have culture shock like crazy, though, and sometimes I think the adjustment to living 24/7 in a different culture was even harder than the job itself.

Got any specific questions?

[ret5hd]

4. dont have questons but...

I'd love to read of your experiences. do you have them posted anywhere?

[crispini]

5. Oooh, no.

That's not a bad idea, though. I should do that someday.

You can google "returned peace corps volunteers" and your state or city name to find out if you have a local RPCV chapter. Most major cities have them. Then you can attend one of their meetings and do some dialog with the RPCV's there. That's a good way to get all of your questions answered F2F.

It was an amazing experience; I'd strongly encourage you to go. Just don't take yourself too seriously while you're there, that will help! :P

[Blue_Tires]

10. what country did you go to? was it safe??

how long were you there, and when did you go?

i know it wasn't much, but also, how much were you paid?

[crispini]

13. I went to Thailand, because of my asthma.

There are only about 5 countries you can go to if you have medical conditions. I was there for three months (a standard term of training) + two years (standard term of service). I was there in 90-92. I was an ESL volunteer; I taught English and did teacher-training for Thai ESL teachers, as well as doing some work in small business community development.

While you are in-country, a volunteer gets paid a salary equivalent to their host country counterpart. In my case, that was about $200/month, housing provided. That was more than enough to live on and even do some travel. Also the PC puts aside a certain amount of money for you each month which you get when you return to the States, so you have a "readjustment allowance" which will help you get your life jumpstarted again when you get back here. It's not much, but I was able to live on the living allowance and the readjustment allowance really helped on my return back here.

Edited to add: I was overseas during GW1 and I never felt in danger, but this *was* pre 9/11... so :shrug:

[NoSheep]

3. Where would you like to go and what are you qualified to do?

I think those issues are most important as far as making the decision.

[crispini]

7. One point to be added here-- you don't really get

to choose 100% about where you want to go. This is determined by your skills, which determines what program you can be placed in, and whether or not the country you are interested in HAS that program and needs volunteers.

You CAN always turn down proposed postings, but if you do that too much, it'll really limit where you get to go.

Also, if you have any kind of health problem, even asthma, this will severely limit the countries they will send you to.

[Blue_Tires]

11. I'd like to try to go to latin america or asia

and I'm currently working as a journalist...I guess I could do something like teach

[crispini]

14. Latin America is a good shot.

There aren't many countries in Asia that have PC programs. Thailand and China are the only ones that come to mind, although last I heard, I believe Cambodia was going to take some archeology volunteers for help with Angkor Wat.

Check out the PC website:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatvol

Peace Corps Volunteers work in the following areas: education, youth outreach, and community development; health and HIV/AIDS; agriculture and environment; business development; and information technology. Within these areas, the specific duties and responsibilities of each Volunteer can vary widely.

Your best shot is to pick a couple of programs and start getting some volunteer experience NOW in those areas; that will look good on your application. For example, to work in ESL, if your undergrad is English, that'll work, but make sure to get some tutoring or teaching experience in. IT might also be a good choice for you if you have a technical background. HIV/AIDS and Ag volunteers usually are required to have a science background.

HTH! Please keep me posted, I would love to know what you decide.

[Mizmoon]

6. You need to be useful

I remember my friend the drama major being very disappointed that his method acting skills were not required in any underdeveloped nation :)

[phusion]

8. Have an interview this week...

With my recruiter. I've submitted the app and everything else, including the cross-cultural statement and personal statement.

What are you planning on doing in PC?

[phusion]

9. P.S. Here's some PCV blogs I've found

Kinda fun to read and get an idea of what they go through...

http://allenincameroon.blogspot.com/

http://www.tommyschultz.com/

[Placebo]

12. oh DON'T do all that crazy nonsense...

you can probably do far more to help those people from here at home than wandering around in a bush somewhere passing out packets of peanut butter.

[crispini]

16. Your comment reveals a profound ignorance about Peace Corps.

Peace Corps has three goals.
1) Provide trained people to host country programs to aid in their development.
2) Provide an opportunity for Americans to learn about the world.
3) Provide an opportunity for the world to learn about Americans.

I'll be the first to say that the success of the first goal depends a LOT on the individual, the country program, and the circumstances the volunteer finds themselves in. However, there is no doubt that Peace Corps does in fact provide wonderful opportunities for cross-cultural learning and pollination. Don't you think Americans are all pretty freaking ignorant about foreign countries? I wish EVERYONE could go into Peace Corps and learn what I have learned about what it's like to live in the third world.

And, NOBODY is EVER "wandering around in a bush passing out packets of peanut butter."

I find your remarks EXTREMLY insulting to my service and to the service of thousands of other volunteers.

[Lisa0825]

18. well said, crispini.

Peace Corps is a FANTASTIC service organization, and the post to which you responded has got to be one of the most unbelievably ignorant I have ever seen.

[SCDem]

15. My good friend went to Malawi

Program had good intentions but was horribly executed. Because of this reason she only stayed for 8 months. The program was not put together too well and also there were alot of young 20 somethings getting it on with one another in the mean time. Even though it is an "interview" for you I would ask them when you get close enough to being placed in a certain country about the program and supervisors and what have you.

Good luck.

[Lisa0825]

17. Check their website for local information sessions...

www.peacecorps.org

I went to an info session, and it was really wonderful hearing about it in person from someone who had been through it. I'd love to join, but I have a ton of debt right now, and you have to either show proof of being able to pay your bills for 27 months while not employed, or proof that you have no debts to pay while gone. So, maybe I can go a few years down the road if I ever get my shit together.

It *is* kind of competetive, however, they WANT you to make it. So, if you have skills that they can find a way to use, and you pass the other requirements, you will get in... at least that is how the recruiter described it to me.