Peace Corps Volunteer

How much anti-Americanism is there in Armenia?

Asked by Bestie1 over 11 years ago

I have not experienced any. The people I've met are very interested in America, and most want to learn or practice their English. Many have friends or relatives in the Armenian parts of the U.S.--Glendale, CA and Boston, MA mainly.

Are Peace Corps volunteers just a bunch of hippie freaks?

Asked by slowgrind over 11 years ago

It totally depends. There seems to be a dual opinion of people when it comes to Peace Corps. In the abstract, PCVs are often thought of as "hippie freaks." But when people know someone who joins Peace Corps, there is often a feeling of admiration and respect. I have been quite surprised to see the variety of people in Peace Corps. This is the most diverse group of people I have ever worked with, from a whole range of backgrounds, which makes for interesting friends that I never would have had otherwise. Probably close to 20% are over 50, with long career histories behind them, in finance, marketing, real estate, and more. A lot are straight out of college, with ambitious goals for the future. And there are those like me, who have worked different jobs for a few years and decided to quit for awhile, get overseas experience, and possibly change career tracks after Peace Corps. I have met maybe 2 "hippie," PCVs. But most are "normal" people like you.

What's the state of computer and internet education over there? Do most kids grow up with a computer in their household?

Asked by rolltide over 11 years ago

It totally varies by region, but in my experience, they have a lot to learn. However, computers are becoming more popular every year, so they are learning fast. All electronics are disproportionately expensive in Armenia, so many households do not have computers. Those that have computers don't always have the Internet. (My college doesn't even have the Internet.) The hardest part is probably the language barrier, because there are little to no computer programs in Armenian. Operating systems are either in English or Russian, as are all the software programs. Viruses are rampant because when there is an Internet connection, the kids download files and click on links, not knowing what they're doing. The teachers are good at reformatting computers, because they do it all the time to get rid of all the viruses. But basic computer maintenance and cleaning was basically unheard of when I got here. I've noticed that the teachers I work with in my region were not extremely computer-savvy when I arrived, and they still have a harder time grasping certain computer-related concepts, but the students usually catch on very quickly. There are very basic software functions that I have had to teach, such as using the "center paragraph" button in Microsoft Word, instead of using the space bar to move text to the center of the page. Also, it has been hard to explain why you would use one program versus another for a specific task, such as Word vs. Excel, or Photoshop vs. PowerPoint.

Do other countries have programs similar to the US Peace Corps? Do you have to be an American to join?

Asked by HabsWIN over 11 years ago

You have to be an American to join the Peace Corps. The most similar volunteer program I have heard of outside of the U.S. is "European Volunteer Service" (EVS), which is for Europeans. EVS volunteers typically serve for 3-9 months in another European country. We actually have EVS volunteers at some of the same organizations in Armenia that have Peace Corps volunteers. Other than EVS, I don't know of other similar volunteer programs, but I'm sure they are out there.

Do you think most people who join the Peace Corps do so for altruistic reasons, or because they're just not sure what they'd like to do with their careers yet?

Asked by Psiclone over 11 years ago

I think there are way more reasons than just the two options posited in this question. There are definitely a lot who join because they want to help others, and there are people who use Peace Corps as a sort of stalling measure before they choose a career. There are others who use Peace Corps as a jumping-off point into foreign service and aid work. Some use it to transition from one type of job to another. Some want more experience living abroad, learning another language, and integrating into a different culture. Some want to better understand what other people in the world are going through and what daily life is like for them. Some are trying to get away from situations back home. Some are just looking for a challenge in their lives. So there are many reasons people join Peace Corps, and usually the reasons are a combination of many I've listed above, as well as others that I haven't listed. But I would say that almost all Peace Corps volunteers join because, in part, they want to "help others," or "give back" in some meaningful way. This is because there are few motivations besides altruism strong enough to make a person stay in such a challenging situation with little financial reward for two years.

How did you communicate with the college students at first if you didn't speak Armenian til you arrived?

Asked by Baskin.Josh over 11 years ago

In all Peace Corps posts, there is a period of training before you actually start your work as a Peace Corps volunteer. In Armenia, the training lasts 11-12 weeks, and there are intense language classes (3-4 hours, 6 days a week), along with cultural and technical training. So by the time I started working at the college, I could speak some Armenian. It wasn't nearly enough, of course, but I was able to get by, with a lot of "show-and-tell," gestures, and repetition until we could understand each other. I still have difficulties with the language, but teaching is much easier now that I have been studying Armenian for more than a year.

Is it lonely being in the Peace Corps, being so far away from home?

Asked by roblowe over 11 years ago

Yes, there are definitely bouts of homesickness. Last Christmas was the hardest for me, as it was only the 2nd Christmas in my life that I wasn't home for. But it's surprisingly easy to keep in touch with friends and family at home--with email, Skype, Facebook, and cheap phone calls. The Internet connection is fairly stable, and pretty much everyone has a cell phone. When I'm lonely, the best thing to do is remember that it will pass. And it always does.

Do Peace Corps volunteers get to choose where they go? Or do they just assign you somewhere, and if so how did you initially feel about having to go to Armenia vs. how you feel about it now?

Asked by blokhead over 11 years ago

When you apply for Peace Corps, you can state a country or region of preference, but there are no guarantees that you will end up there. It depends on your work experience and abilities, and what the country is looking for--if the two match up, you are more likely to get your preference. Sometimes it also depends on your ability to already speak the language, although that doesn't guarantee anything. I did not choose to come to Armenia, and originally I was nominated to go to a South American country. But during the application process, I was eventually assigned to Armenia, which is a country I knew barely anything about. I was open to going anywhere, though, so it wasn't a big deal to me. I was just looking for a different cultural experience than what I could get at home in the U.S. So although it wasn't my first choice, I was flexible, and now am glad to be here.

Do Peace Corps volunteers get paid? Or do they at least cover all of your expenses?

Asked by boltthrower over 11 years ago

Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) are given a monthly stipend that has been carefully calculated to cover all necessary expenses. The amount varies from country to country, and even from region to region in the same country. It also changes depending on the season. For example, I live in a town, so the amount I am given for rent (my housing allowance) is higher than those who live in a village, but less than those who live in a city. I also live in a place that gets very cold in the winter, so the amount I receive for utilities is increased in the winter months. All PCVs in Armenia are given a travel allowance that covers one round-trip travel to the capital every two months. Again, depending on where they live and how much it costs to get to the capital, that amount varies. If I choose to get tutoring in the language (and I do), there is a pool of money from which I can get reimbursed for that. Once that money runs out, I can no longer get reimbursed--but if you are careful with how much you pay your tutor, the amount of money is sufficient for 2 years. Finally, some PCVs are able to live comfortably off their monthly allowance, if they are thrifty and watch where their money goes. Other PCVs find themselves broke at the end of every month and sometimes supplement with savings from home.

What other countries have you traveled to? What are your top 3 places you'd live permanently if you couldn't be in the US?

Asked by argoze over 11 years ago

I have been to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, France, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Armenia, and Georgia. Some of these countries I haven't explored a whole lot yet, and there are many more I'd still like to see. But out of this list, I would choose Portugal, New Zealand, and Italy.

How did your family react when you told them you were going to join the Peace Corps? Were they supportive?

Asked by cam c. over 11 years ago

I don't think anyone in my family was surprised that I decided to join the Peace Corps, as I had already been traveling quite a bit. I studied abroad in Australia, went to Europe twice, and took many road trips around the U.S. They weren't overjoyed to hear that I would be leaving again, this time for 2 years, but they respected my decision. Were they supportive? Yes, but in more of a passive way, where they didn't try to stop me from going. The entire application and packing process was on my shoulders to deal with myself.

I love your site. Do you feel like any of your relationshlps among friends/ family in the U.S changed while serving in peace corps. My biggest fear is feeling left out while abroad and upon return? Fearing ppl will learn how to move on w/o me

Asked by Lai almost 11 years ago

Thank you!

My relationships with friends and family back home has definitely changed while I've been abroad. But I'm not sure exactly how that change will manifest until I get home and spend time with them again.

People won't put their lives on hold for you, and they shouldn't. You just need to accept that; it would be the same if you got a job in another city or another state. They would still continue to live their lives without you around. Granted, it feels like a bigger deal when you're halfway around the world, but you can still fly home for important events, if you want, and there will be ways to communicate with loved ones back home. (Frequency and ease depends on country and site placement, but communication will be possible to some extent.)

My brother got married while I was in Armenia, and I had 5 nieces and nephews born in two years. I didn't go home for any of it, which was hard. But I will see my family when I get back, and will catch up with them when I get there.

I have kept up with some of my friends via email and phone, but I find that the longer I'm in Armenia, the less I feel like I have to say to them, and the less we have in common. I think that once I get home and we lead similar lives again, we will have more to talk about. We'll see. 

It is definitely scary to think that people will change while you're gone, but you will also change. It's part of life, and you won't stop that from happening by staying home. If Peace Corps is something you want to do, please don't let your fears stop you!

 

If you don't spend all of your monthly or housing allowance, does it roll over to the next month?

Asked by RJ over 11 years ago

Yes. Peace Corps calculates what you should be spending on utilities, food, etc., and pays you accordingly, but ultimately, all the money you earn each month is your own, to spend how you like. If you don't spend all the money they give you, you will still have that money to spend later. Some people end up spending all their money each month, and other people are better at saving, and end up with a sum of money in their bank accounts at the end of their service, to take with them when they leave Peace Corps.

Can peace corps volunteers quit at any time? Are all commitments for 2 years, and what percentage of PCVs finish the full 2 years?

Asked by Aaron over 11 years ago

All Peace Corps Volunteers commit to a full 27 months of service, but they can "Early Terminate" (or ET) voluntarily at any time. I have heard of people ET'ing at the airport on arrival day, a week into training, a few months into service, a year in, and even 24 months into service! Some volunteers are administratively separated for various reasons, such as medical, behavioral, and alcohol problems. I don't actually know what percentage of volunteers finish the full 2 years--statistics vary greatly by country. So far (just over a year in), out of 42 in my original group, 8 have gone home. The reasons for ET'ing also vary greatly. There are medical reasons, family problems back home, dissatisfaction with work assignment, troubles with Host Country Nationals (HCNs), inability to fit in, etc. Volunteers can also extend their service for up to 2 additional years in the same country, if they so desire.

Does the Peace Corps drug test? How about after you're hired as a volunteer, are there policies about drinking and drugs?

Asked by Linds about 11 years ago

You have to go through extensive medical checks before you join Peace Corps. They have strict policies against using drugs, and you will be sent home if you are found to be using them. They do not do random drug tests during Peace Corps service like other governmental organizations. They also have policies about drinking, but they are not as strict as for drugs. There are certain times and places that you are not allowed to drink, such as during training events, and it's up to the country director to decide on how strictly he/she wants to enforce a drinking policy.

Are Peace Corps alumni a tight-knit group? Like, is there a strong connection between former volunteers such that they get together socially, or assist with one another's career growth? Or does everyone just kind of scatter after their stints?

Asked by Milo (not Otis) over 11 years ago

The Peace Corps volunteers who serve in the same country together become very close, and would almost definitely get together and help each other out, post-Peace Corps. More formally, in most big cities in the U.S., there are "Returned Peace Corps Volunteer" (RPCV) groups that get together on a regular basis, to hang out, get to know one another, talk about Peace Corps, and do service projects in the community. There are also usually country-specific RPCV groups, so people from the same country of service can keep in touch, no matter where in the world they end up after Peace Corps.

What if I want to join the Peace Corps, but I don't have a knack for learning new languages? (Actually, that's putting it mildly -- I SUCK at it). Would that rule me out completely?

Asked by saywha? over 11 years ago

No, that would not rule you out completely, just don't make it a big point in your interviews. There are many people in Peace Corps who aren't very good at learning new languages, and somehow they get by. Just keep in mind that without language skills, every single thing you do will be at least 10X harder, including socializing, buying groceries, paying utilities, getting to know your coworkers, figuring out what you are supposed to do at work, taking public transportation, finding the bathroom... EVERYTHING. Not being able to communicate can cause tremendous stress. So think about how you will communicate with people before committing to joining Peace Corps. You may get lucky and end up working with people who speak English, but chances are, you will be plopped in the middle of a foreign-speaking community. But with total immersion, you may find that learning a new language is a bit easier than book-study.

What are the most common career paths people take after returning from their Peace Corps stint?

Asked by J-Cane over 11 years ago

I don't actually know the answer to this, but I am starting to think about my life post-Peace Corps. I know many people go to grad school, enrolling in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program which offers benefits and financial aid. Other people take advantage of their one year of non-competitive eligibility status and get a job with the federal government. Often people stay working with non-profits, aid programs, or the foreign service.

This AMA is really interesting, thanks:) What's the most common misconception foreigners have about America?

Asked by AFC123 about 11 years ago

I can't speak for all foreigners, but many people assume that it's easy to get a job in America and everyone there is rich. Compared to where I live in Armenia, that's probably somewhat true--the unemployment rate in my town is over 60% and people don't have a lot of money. They also don't realize how big America is. Armenia is roughly the size of Maryland. So when they ask if Michigan (where I'm from) is close to Glendale, CA (where there is a huge Armenian community), I have a hard time putting it into perspective exactly how far away the two places are.

Does the Peace Corps pay for college or pay off college loans?

Asked by MB about 11 years ago

No, Peace Corps doesn't pay for college or pay off college loans, but many loans qualify for deferment while in Peace Corps. There are also many programs through the Peace Corps Fellows program, which offer financial aid to returned Peace Corps volunteers.

After you're done with the Peace Corps, could you ever see yourself going "back on the grid" with a normal, 9-to-5 desk job?

Asked by Shogun_1 over 11 years ago

I have rarely had a "normal" 9-5 desk job, and I didn't really like the ones I did have. So I can't really see myself having that kind of job in the future. This has nothing to do with having joined Peace Corps--it's just who I am. But it probably has a lot to do with why I joined Peace Corps.

How long can you volunteer in the Peace Corps for? Can I work for them indefinitely, or is it always a short-term commitment?

Asked by J-Cane over 11 years ago

The normal time commitment for a volunteer is 27 months (3 months of training and 2 years of service). You can extend for up to 2 additional years in the same country. If you want to volunteer again in another country, you can re-apply. Staff positions (like the country director) can last for up to 5 years. Then they have to move on to something outside of Peace Corps for at least as long as they worked for Peace Corps before working for Peace Corps again.

Does pretty much everyone who applies to the Peace Corps get accepted? Or are there certain shortcomings that will get you dinged?

Asked by B-Rad over 11 years ago

There is actually a small percentage of applicants who get accepted into the Peace Corps. (Annually, Peace Corps receives about 10,000 applications and sends about 3,500-4,000 trainees overseas.) That surprised me at first. I always thought that they would take any volunteer they could get their hands on! They are looking for skilled people in areas that other countries need. They are looking for something that demonstrates that you plan to stay the two years. They are looking for healthy individuals (the medical screening is very intense). It helps if you have had prior volunteer experience, prior language learning (in any language), and prior travel experience (you can't truthfully say, "I love to travel," if you have never traveled). It also helps if you are flexible, and open to trying new things. The worst aspect of applying to the Peace Corps is how long it takes. They say it usually takes from 6-12 months. It took me a year and a half. Most applicants drop out on their own during this time, so the chances that you'll be accepted if you stick out the application process are probably pretty high.

Is there an option to be placed in group housing for Peace Corps and not live alone?

Asked by Ellen almost 11 years ago

Housing options vary by country. You may have some flexibility in your housing choices, but they will be determined by the country you serve in, and you will have to adhere to your country director's rules.

In Armenia all volunteers are required to live with host families during pre-service training, and then for their first couple months after swearing-in, in their permanent site. After that, they are free to move out on their own if they choose, usually to live by themselves.

In other countries, volunteers live together during pre-service training in apartments. Some volunteers live with host families their entire two years. Others live in family "compounds," having their own building or set of rooms, but being surrounded by host family members in one small area.

 

Have you heard of any other volunteers that wavered during their application process? I was asked Mar. 30 if I wanted to proceed & was giving two weeks; so I said not at this time. Now, I've decided to move forward. Will this affect me negatively?

Asked by Victoria about 11 years ago

I'm sorry I don't really know the answer to your question. Here's what I have heard: if you want to "park" your application, you can do so at any time in the application process, and they keep it on file for a certain amount of time (maybe 6 months-1 year), during which you can re-open your application. After that time expires, you would have to start the entire application process over again.

However, if you are given an invitation (meaning you have made it through the entire application process and they are trying to place you), and you reject it without good reason, there is not a good chance of them giving you a second option.

I hope this helps.

Was there ever a point where you seriously considered quitting the peace corps?

Asked by Jason over 11 years ago

Not so far... That's not to say that I haven't had very difficult periods. I have, and they've been brutal. There was a time where every single day seemed to last an eternity. For awhile I went through some hard relationship stuff, and missed home dreadfully. There was the shock of how cold and miserable winter really is here. There were headaches and illnesses and digestive problems. There were awkward moments and misunderstandings and cultural faux pas. But I (more or less) expected all this going in, and I have been able to look at everything so far as learning moments. I have definitely had strong yearnings for home from time to time, but no, I have not yet seriously considered quitting (also known as ET'ing.) However, I won't rule out the possibility that the feeling could still come up! It's perfectly normal, from what I hear. Most volunteers I talk to have a personal rule, such as, "If I have this feeling for X amount of time, then I will ET." Or, "I will revisit this issue in X amount of time, and if it hasn't gotten better, I will ET." Or, "If it gets so bad that I [fill in the blank], I will ET." Or, "I will definitely ET if I ever run into X situation." It's a personal decision, and one that needs to be respected, since everyone has their own threshold. My guiding light is, "Well, if I went home now, what would I do?" And so far, the answer isn't exciting enough to make it worth my leaving early.

After having an interview with the peace corps will they notify if you are not going to be nominated? if yes, how long would it take for them to make this decision approximately?

Asked by peace lover about 10 years ago

I would imagine that Peace Corps will let you know if you aren't nominated. After you turn in your application and you are accepted to move on to the next step, you will be contacted for an interview. You can ask your interviewer how long it will be before you hear back, so you know for sure.

After my interview, I waited between 2 and 3 weeks to get my nomination. So I would say that if you haven't heard back within a month, you could contact Peace Corps and ask about the status of your application.

Do you ever feel in personal danger, being a young woman in a foreign country?

Asked by AllYourBase over 11 years ago

The thing about being a foreigner here is that I stand out--blond hair and casual clothing in a community of well-dressed brunettes. So I get stared at a lot. But usually it feels more uncomfortable than dangerous. I try not to do anything that will put me in real personal danger--I use common sense--and so far, that has worked well for me.

Have you had any negative experiences in your time in Armenia? What advice would you give anyone else who was going to be applying for the Peace Corps?

Asked by Kayla almost 11 years ago

Yes, I have had many negative (and positive) experiences in Armenia. It's life. The same would be true no matter where I was. But in Peace Corps, the highs are usually higher and the lows are lower, and the ups and downs happen much more frequently than in "normal" life.

It's hard to give advice to someone applying for the Peace Corps, because there is so much to say that might "help," but most of the things I would say wouldn't make sense until that person was actually in the middle of Peace Corps and had already figured it out for themself.

So I'll give the standard responses that everyone gives, but are extremely important. Be flexible. Be patient. Be culturally sensitive. Don't expect to make huge visible changes during your two years in Peace Corps; focus small, and there will be a ripple effect years into the future. Trust that everything will work out. Peace Corps stretches you way way out of your comfort zone, and sometimes you have to purposely push yourself even farther, if you want a fulfilling experience. Try to be the best "you" that you can, during Peace Corps, and people will appreciate that.

If you jump through all the hoops in the application process without giving up, you will probably get into the Peace Corps.

Good luck!

I want to join the Peace Corps but I am most afraid about being alone and without friends for 2 years. How do you deal with this?

Asked by Abbey almost 11 years ago

Chances are that some of the other volunteers you meet during your service will become some of your best friends, which means you will absolutely not be "without friends" for 2 years. However, it may take a little time to build up friendships, you may not see other volunteers often (totally depends on your country and your site placement; I see other volunteers every single day), and there will be bouts of loneliness no matter what.

To deal with loneliness, I try to keep busy with different things, like play my mandolin, read, exercise, or work on my Peace Corps projects. I also go to visit my neighbors and Armenian friends, which relationships I have built up over my Peace Corps service.

In short, it's hard in the beginning, but once you get into it, you'll find that it's fairly easy to start building relationships with host country nationals and other volunteers. And while loneliness is real, you don't need to think of joining Peace Corps as a solitary pursuit where you will be without friends or a support system for 2 years.

I just got nominated and legally cleared.Now I just have to go throught the medical kit. I was wondering, do they do a drug test during the medical examination?

Asked by SoontobePCV about 11 years ago

I know they take a pee sample, but I'm not 100% sure what they're testing for. To be on the safe side, I would assume that they do a drug test, because they have strict policies against drugs, similar to other governmental jobs.

Do you stay in your assigned location for two years straight, or do you go home within that time ?

Asked by Lucie about 10 years ago

You will be a Peace Corps volunteer for 2 years straight, but during that time you will accrue vacation days and be able to leave the country if you want. You can choose to go home or somewhere else; that's totally up to you. You will be spending your own money to take a vacation (or several shorter vacations), and there are a few restrictions, but you will be allowed to go home and see your family and friends if you want.

When you received your assignment were you told your living arrangements? Also were you told how many and how close any other volunteers would be?

Asked by rjay45 about 11 years ago

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll try to answer. In Armenia, volunteers are placed with a host family for the first 2 months of living at their permanent site. After that, they are free to move out on their own. The host families might have one person, or they might have 7 or more. It's common to have the grandparents, parents, kids, and a couple in-laws all living in the same house. There are certain standards that Peace Corps requires, such as a private bedroom for the volunteer, when living with a host family. If the volunteer moves out, they usually have help finding a suitable apartment or house. Their host family, their counterpart, or other Armenian friends usually help. And again, there are certain standards that Peace Corps requires, before the volunteer moves. There is a ceremony for receiving our site assignments, and most volunteers in the country come to the ceremony. That is when we find out how many and how close other volunteers will be. I live on the same street as 2 other volunteers, and a 3rd lives a 15 minute drive away. Other volunteers are the only ones for miles around. The number and density of volunteers depends on the need and size of the community.

How many of hours of volunteer work do you need before you can apply for the peace corps. What are good places that would be good to volunteer at? I currently have about 100 hours at The Boys and Girls club, The Food Bank, and The Armenian Home.

Asked by Arturo Lopez almost 11 years ago

I don't think there is a standard number of hours that you "have" to volunteer before you can apply. It's just good to show that you have volunteered before. It sounds like you are already way ahead of me, in terms of volunteer hours before joining Peace Corps. I think I volunteered for one semester for a small-town organization before I did my application. If you don't have volunteer hours before you apply, they recommend that you start volunteering somewhere as you go through the application process.

If there is a specific field you want to work in, in Peace Corps, it would be good to  volunteer at an organization doing that work (for example, volunteering to teach English at a TEFL center). I can't actually recommend specific volunteer organizations. It sounds like you are already doing amazing! 

Keep up the good work!

I have a pre-existing condition that requires medication everyday (hypothyroidism) do you think this would affect my chances of being accepted?

Asked by Danielle almost 10 years ago

Yes, I think this would affect your chances of being accepted, but that doesn't mean you WON'T be accepted. It will probably just make it a little harder to place you, because some countries aren't as accessible to reliable healthcare.

What is one reason why I should be a peace corps volunteer?

Asked by Ludjina almost 11 years ago

Because you want to commit 27 months of your life to challenging yourself in a unique cultural environment and building relationships that will help you see the world in a different way.

Everyone joins for different reasons, some personal, some professional, some selfish, some altruistic.

Peace Corps is not for everyone, and I don't want to try to convince someone to join if they're not really interested. If you think you might be interested, but are just looking for a little nudge, I would suggest reading Peace Corps blogs and attending Peace Corps events to talk to people in person about the realities (both good and bad) of Peace Corps service.

Do peace corps volunteers get vacation? Is it an annual allotment, or just a total amount you get to take over the course of your 27 months?

Asked by PC about 11 years ago

We technically accrue 2 vacation days for every month as a volunteer, which means 48 total vacation days. (The first 3 months you are a "trainee," not a volunteer.) You cannot take vacation your first 3 or last 3 months of service, so in order to use all your vacation days, you have to "borrow" against the future. This is accepted practice and happens all the time. Before you can take vacation, you have to clear it at least a week in advance with your work supervisor and a designated person on the Peace Corps staff, which for Armenia means our regional manager. Some people spread out their vacations over the two years and other people take all their vacation days at once. In-country vacation does not count weekends or holidays. Out-of-country vacation counts all days, no matter what. It's a way to encourage volunteers to explore more of the country in which they serve.

I am interested in applying for a position as a Director or Assistant Director of a country with the Peace Corps. Do you know anything about the rating system of the applications?

Asked by KPP almost 11 years ago

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about working for Peace Corps in an administrative role. All I know about is the application process and life of a volunteer.

I am currently in my last two semesters in college and I would like to apply and be assigned as soon as possible after I graduate. (Pending acceptance of course) Do I have to wait until I graduate to apply? Or can I apply now in anticipation?

Asked by Michael over 10 years ago

You can apply now in anticipation. The process takes from 6-12 months, so it doesn't matter that you haven't graduated yet.

If you do not complete the full 27 months, say only make it to one year, do you still get some assistance money for when you return to the U.S.?

Asked by DVelephant over 10 years ago

Yes. You accrue money for every month you are in Peace Corps. The amount is between $200-$300. I'm not sure of the exact amount, and part of it is taken away for taxes before you even get it. So for however many months you are in Peace Corps, you will get the equivalent amount of money when you go home. The money is either direct-deposited into your account, or mailed to you, depending on which option you choose.

Do Peace Corps members work seven day work weeks or does the standard American five day work week apply?

Asked by Michael H almost 11 years ago

There is nothing "standard" about being a Peace Corps volunteer. Usually you are expected to report to your primary assignment job 15-20 hours per week, and then do secondary projects on the side. During my Peace Corps service, I worked an average of 3.5 hours at the college every day, 5 days per week. When I wasn't at the college, I was visiting with my Armenian neighbors, helping them practice their English, or working on other small projects. But I have a volunteer friend who worked over 40 hours per week at her primary assignment. It just depends on the type of work you are assigned to do.

But every moment as a Peace Corps volunteer you are "on the job" because you are representing America. People notice everything you do, no matter if you're "on the clock" or not. So we're told to act professionally, as though we're always working, 24/7.

 

Do you know of any volunteers who joined after completing graduate school? I'm currently a couple of years into my PhD work, and I'm concerned about how taking 2 years will impact my chances of finding a postdoctoral position upon returning to the US

Asked by Matthew over 10 years ago

Yes, there are many volunteers who join after graduate school. I'm not sure how that has impacted their future careers, but generally speaking, Peace Corps looks really good on your resume, especially if you do something related to your field, and it's great life experience. Many volunteers have a lot of spare time, so you could use that to "stay current" with readings or research, which would help you when you get back.

Whats a good path to take to become successful in the Peace corps

Asked by Scotty over 10 years ago

There are many different ways to be successful in Peace Corps. Most of them involve general qualities like being flexible, patient, and understanding. To become accepted into Peace Corps, you should have a college degree, and interest in travel (it helps if you have actually been abroad), and a demonstrated willingness to serve others. (So go volunteer somewhere for awhile before you apply.) Once you are in Peace Corps, make an effort to go out and make friends, to learn the language, and to learn how the locals do things. Then create strategies to integrate your ways of helping into their culture.

Hello there! I have been accepted into the Peace Corps and I am waiting to see where I end up. I am wondering more about how the legal and medical process works. How long does it take? How much paper work does it require?

Asked by Mary over 10 years ago

Congratulations on your acceptance!

Short version: It takes several weeks and about 4-5 pages of paperwork. If you're generally healthy, and you fill out the forms right the first time, I would guess a month, minimum.... Read further for more details.

They've changed the order of procedures a little bit since I got accepted into Peace Corps. It used to be that you had to pass all the medical stuff first, before you got accepted. 

However, I think the medical process is still the same. You have to schedule a physical, and your doctor has to check a whole bunch of basic things about your health, which you should pass if you're generally healthy. You need a blood test, and maybe a few shots. (For example, I needed a polio booster shot.) The medical form is a few pages long. As long as you cross every t and dot every i, once you send it in, it's a few weeks of waiting. If you miss something, that slows the process significantly, so check and double-check every single line, and make sure you go through the entire thing with your doctor to make sure you have all the proper initials and signatures. If they contact you needing more information, take care of it as quickly as possible, so you don't slow things up on your end.

You also need to schedule a dental exam for full mouth x-rays and "dental probing." I had to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed, per Peace Corps requirements after they saw my x-rays.

I think my initial doctor visit was about 30 minutes and I had to go back once to get one more test--about 10 more minutes. My initial dental visit was also about 30 minutes (they check every single tooth and give it a grade). My wisdom teeth removal surgery was about 3 hours, plus a month of recovery. I went to the eye doctor's to order a second pair of glasses (Peace Corps rules), and spent about 30 minutes choosing frames. (I paid for everything out of pocket, as I didn't have health insurance.)

After I sent everything in, I had to wait about a month for them to get back to me, and then got conditional medical clearance (hinging on my wisdom teeth) about 1-2 months later, after I sent in the results of my second medical test.

I don't really know anything about the "legal" part. I don't remember filling out any paperwork for it. It seems like it all just happened behind the scenes as I was waiting, and I got clearance. (I could be mis-remembering; there were a lot of forms!)

Hope this helps!

Hi,
I was wondering, when you finish your application process and PC tells you where they want to send you, if it is not someone you want to go can you still back out at the point? There are just a few countries I'd be really afraid to go to.

Asked by Laura over 10 years ago

Yes, you can always back out, no matter what part of the process you are in. You can also explain your reasons for not wanting to go to a particular country, and Peace Corps can reassign you to a different country, as long as it's before you formally accept your invitation. Keep in mind that if you say no too many times, they will probably stop trying to find a good fit for you.

Hi I have my interview in a couple days I'm a sophomore in college, 20 years young, speak English and a little French have an agriculture and ROTC background do I have a good chance of being accepted even though I don't have a 4 year degree?

Asked by Robert c about 10 years ago

Hi, Robert. I think your acceptance will depend on what your goals are for Peace Corps. Are you expecting to join before finishing your degree, and then come back and finish? Or are you hoping to be accepted and join Peace Corps immediately upon graduation? In my experience, it is very unusual for someone so young who doesn't have a college degree to be accepted into Peace Corps, unless they're accepted with the understanding that they won't leave until they graduate. Peace Corps does accept people without a 4 year degree, but they are usually much older and can demonstrate 10+ years of experience in their field.

What would happen in the case of an "emergency" at home (say immediate family members dies)? If you were to go home would you have to terminate completely or would they allow a leave in a case such as that? Thanks

Asked by Chrissy about 10 years ago

In case of certain emergencies, (such as the death of an immediate family member) Peace Corps will fly you home to be with your family. You have a certain amount of time you are able to be home, which you can extend if you still have vacation days to use up. If you want to stay longer than that amount of time, you will have to voluntarily terminate your service.

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 about 10 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 about 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 almost 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.

Is there anyway a 21 year old with a degree in Social Work could get accepted into the Peace Corps? I'm incredibly interested but concerned my career choice in social work and nonprofit organization won't allow me to. Thank you!

Asked by Kay P over 9 years ago

Yes, it's possible to get accepted into Peace Corps, no matter what your career choice. Social work and Nonprofit work are both two very excellent interests that will appeal to a Peace Corps recruiter, not make them think you're not a good fit.

Hey im 17 and i want to go into the peace corps right after HS. What types of jobs are there for people coming right out of HS?

Asked by Brittany wright almost 9 years ago

Hi, Peace Corps volunteers must either have a college degree or 10 years of relevant experience, so you can't join right out of high school.

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 almost 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 about 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 over 9 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 almost 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.

Why do you gloss over the loneliness? As I know and read that is a big issue.

Asked by MasterPieced over 8 years ago

No one likes to hear you complain about loneliness. Yet, it's a fact of life for most people when they are far away from everything and everyone they know for a long time. You get lonely. And then you get over it. And then you get lonely again. And then you get busy and move past it. And then you get lonely again. I don't want to dwell on it, because I don't want the fear of being lonely to be a reason that someone doesn't join Peace Corps. If you become a PCV, you'll probably be lonely several times over the course of your service. That's part of the experience. But there are other parts of the experience that are rewarding and fulfilling and challenging in a positive way. And there are other issues to consider when deciding if you want to be a PCV that are more important or relevant than the question of, "Will I be lonely?" Yes, you probably will, and you'll find ways to move past it. Do you have a specific question or concern about loneliness in the Peace Corps that you'd like me to delve into?

Hello, I'm a Moroccan citizen, from Marrakesh city, i'm so pleased to join your corps, could you please tell how can i do it. Thanks a lot.

Yours Jamal.

Asked by Jamal over 9 years ago

Hi, You can't be a Peace Corps volunteer unless you are a U.S. citizen.

If there is an emergency back home and you are in the middle of your volunteer commitment could you pick up where you left off at a later time? If not, will you be terminated? If so, would this prevent you from further volunteer assignments?

Asked by Sonia almost 10 years ago

Kind of depends on what the emergency is and how long you'll be gone. There is emergency and medical leave available, and you have vacation time you can use as well. There are a couple different ways you can be terminated from Peace Corps, and depending on how you are terminated will determine if you can re-join at a later date.

So, short answer, yes, in most cases, you can leave and come back if there is an emergency back home. If you're gone too long and you are terminated from Peace Corps in good faith, there is a chance you can be a volunteer again later on.

We had a woman in my cohort who developed cancer and was gone for almost 6 months. She fought to be able to come back, and was re-instated at her assignment. We had another volunteer whose brother died, and he went home for a couple weeks and then came back. We had other volunteers who went home for emergency reasons and chose not to return.

Hello! I am currently attending a community college in California. It has heavily been on my heart that the Peace Corps could be an amazing option for me. Do I have to have a degree before I can join?

Asked by Lillie over 9 years ago

You need a college degree or 10 relevant years of work experience.

I am in the initial steps of PC and Botswana has said they are considering my application. I see that I have to learn Setswana. Languages are not my strong strength. What happens if I cannot meet the Int./Low passing exam? Thanks

Asked by Molly Alexander over 8 years ago

I want to study something along the lines of environmental science and natural resources/environmental management in college. Would that help me any if I wanted to join the Peace Corps?

Asked by Laura S. almost 7 years ago

Hi! I have a unique opportunity to ask questions to many RPCV's from the programs I wish to join (CED South America). Do you have any suggestions on good and interesting questions to ask them?

Asked by Lex almost 7 years ago

COVID-19?

Asked by 567567567 about 4 years ago

I was planning on joining community college just to be able to go to the peace corps. Will that affect being chosen or is any degree okay? (i don't know how this works)

Asked by KJ about 8 years ago