Peace Corps Volunteer

Peace Corps Volunteer

TravelingEv

Armenia,

Female, 27

I live and work in Armenia as a computer teacher at a college in one of the regions (not the modern capital city). Peace Corps service is a 27 month commitment in a 3rd world or developing country. I teach computer teachers and students about basic computer maintenance; I also teach software programs like Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Photoshop, and CorelDraw. Everything I do--from teaching, buying food, visiting friends--is done in Armenian, which I learned since I arrived in country.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

65 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on December 06, 2015

Best Rated

I'm about to be a senior in college. I have been considered joining the Peace Corps but I'm afraid what I'm studying won't apply. I'm a communication major with a background in PR and Media. Does that sound like a fit?

Asked by MajorTrouble almost 11 years ago

It doesn't really matter what you're studying in college. Peace Corps takes people with a variety of backgrounds, and if your degree doesn't seem to fit any of their programs, you can always be an English teacher!

That said, I have a background in graphic design and marketing, which I never imagined would lead me to a related field in Peace Corps. But since I had enough experience working with computers, I ended up teaching computer classes in Armenia!

Also, you will become a volunteer, with a tentative job description written on paper, but that doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to that. You can do pretty much whatever you want in Peace Corps, as far as taking anything you know and teaching it to others.

So the short answer is, Yes. No matter what your degree, that sounds like a fit.

Hello,

i am a recent law school graduate who is interested in possibly joining the peace corp. I would like to focus on government and legal education in a possible destination country. I would like to work in a cold climate. Is this possible?

Asked by Joseph over 10 years ago

I don't know exactly what the chances are of you getting a government/legal ed assignment in a cold country. That depends on which "cold" countries are looking for someone with your background and skills, and that could change from year to year.

What I can tell you is that when you apply for Peace Corps, you can state a preference for a region of the world, and you can let them know in your application where your skills lie, and they will try to match you up accordingly. This doesn't always work out the way you were hoping, but sometimes it can.

I would talk to a recruiter in your area to get more exact and up-to-date information regarding your preferences.

About how much prior volunteer experience is needed to be accepted into the Peace Corps?

Asked by ccasey over 10 years ago

The more you have the better, but I don't think it's absolutely required. I went out and found a couple volunteer opportunities after I applied, so that I would be able to talk about them in my interview. I did not have much volunteer work experience, but I had a lot of professional experience, and that helped.

What does the Peace Corps mean to everyone out their,and why do people join if they dont do anything in the world and do nothing to help at all? Sorry if this is bothering you its bothering me . I just want to know what is wrong with this world .

Asked by Juggalo01 over 10 years ago

I'm not sure I can tell you what is wrong with the world. I'm also not sure what experience you've had or who you've talked to that causes you to ask about people who don't do anything in the world and do nothing to help. I think that a lot of Peace Corps volunteers genuinely want to help improve people's lives in some capacity. I also think that the reality of living as a PCV can be very difficult and cause some to feel paralyzed and unable to help, resulting in something that looks like them "doing nothing to help." However, the mere presence of an outsider and the experience of interacting with them can cause change to happen, so I would caution people not to judge the experience too quickly.

What does the Peace Corps mean to everyone out there? I think it means different things to different people. I think a lot of people see it as a grass roots way to effect change in third-world and developing countries. I think a lot of other people see it as a way to get a "free vacation" and travel the world. I think the latter opinion is mis-informed.

I'm about to be a college senior and this is something I think I definitely want to do. Do you think smoking cigarettes would be a problem? I can put them down at any time, but would this effect the medical clearance?

Asked by Lady26 over 10 years ago

Smoking shouldn't be a problem with medical clearance unless it has already caused other major health issues. Some countries' customs would make it difficult to be a smoker if you are a female. I'd recommend quitting before Peace Corps.

I want to Join the Peace Corps after i graduate college in three years. When should is start the application proccess?

Asked by Genesis about 10 years ago

I would recommend starting the application process about a year before you hope to leave for Peace Corps. On your application, you put when you are available to leave. I have heard of the process taking 6 months for some people; for me it took 1.5 years.

If I spend the next few years learning education and mandarin will it increase my likelihood of being sent to china to teach English?

Asked by Joshua over 10 years ago

Yes, I think it will. Also, Peace Corps has changed its application procedure, so now you can specify what you want to do and where you want to go, and you have a much higher likelihood of doing what you want, where you want, as a Peace Corps volunteer.