Did you enjoy the Peace Corps?

Question

I am graduating from college in a year and thinking of joining the Peace Corps. I am interested to learn of some real-life experiences and some insight into the program. Any input is welcome even if you've only heard things!

Answer 1

Yes. I worked harder and learned more about myself and the world than at any other time in my life. It was the best experience of my life, all told.

In talking with other returned PCVs, the people who have the best experiences get specific assignments (as opposed to "community development") and go to countries with reasonably honest governments. If you get stuck in West Africa working for a government whose main purpose is to pile money into the President-for-Life's Swiss bank account, you are going to have a bad experience.

If you are interested, you can read about my time as a PCV in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, 1971 - 1972:

http://www.tedpack.org/pchead.html

There is much more there than I can paste here. It isn't all about my experiences. I search Y!A for the phrase "Peace Corps" every week. I have a page devoted to the questions that come up the most frequently in that section too. The page "Peace Corps Links" has a link to the Returned PCV web ring, which has 40+ other RPCV sites.

You can Google "Peace Corps Volunteer Blog" to find sites about more current experiences.

Answer 2

I've heard it is great from everyone who has participated. Do it. /

Answer 3

I loved my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I suggest that you do it.

It's what you make of it. It's changed a lot in the last 40+ years.

Check on the web for Peace Corps Blogs, Look in Facebook for Peace Corps Groups, and contact Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for advice.

Google is a great place to start.  RPCV's are everywhere.