Anyone know someone who joined the Peace Corps?

Question

Do you know anyone or have you? I am thinking about it and would like some feedback from anyone who knows someone or has joined themselves...Basically what is it like? Is it worth it?

Answer 1

I do! I haven't done it myself because I'm not American, but I have a friend who went to Russia for 2 years with Peace Corps.

Is it worth it? He gave me a resounding YES. However, you really have to be fully prepared and know just what you're getting into. Peace Corps isn't a glamorous job like it may be portrayed. You could end up anywhere, and you've got to give a 2-year commitment. You can't just give up when (yes, when - not if) you get ill, homesick, culture shocked, etc.

My friend was sent (you don't get to choose where you go) to a TINY Russian town in the middle of nowhere, over 3 hours from a bigger city. The town had NO other English speakers. He was plunked there by himself (there are often no support systems for you locally) and didn't know a soul. Also, because nobody spoke any English, and he didn't speak any Russian, he was really lonely.

He ended up taking Russian lessons from someone who worked at the school he was teaching English at. He traded free English for free Russian tutoring. So by the end of the 2-year stint, his Russian was definitely improved, though not fluent.

But that's not meant to turn you off. You just really need to be prepared for the fact that it's not as pretty and glamorous as Angelina Jolie and other stars make it look.

If I were you, I'd try to do a few months of volunteering overseas with another organization before applying to Peace Corps. (For one thing, international experience gives applicants a leg up.) It'll give you a better idea of what you're getting into.

Answer 2

Me, for one.  And I've met a hundreds of others in person or online.  Your questions are difficult to answer because the responses will vary from person to person. I strongly recommend that you seek out groups like Peacecorps2 on Yahoo and find local events so you can get data from many sources.  There are also a LOT of blogs and online journals by current volunteers that will give you a good idea of what it's like.

For me, I think I got more out of the experience than the people I worked with.  I hope I made a difference, but I'll never know for certain.  I'm glad I went, and I am considering re-applying after I retire in twenty-plus years.  

As for what it's like, my best answer is that it's like your life now, only more intense.  The highs are higher and the lows are lower, largely because you're dealing with the ups and downs of life in an alien setting.  It will test you, and sometimes you'll wonder if it's worth the effort, but then again, you have probably felt that way about other things.  :)

Definitely check out http://www.peacecorps.gov for official events and for information on the skills and experience Peace Corps looks for in applicants.

Good luck!