Does it matter where you serve your time in the Peace Corps?

Question

Does serving in the Peace Corps in Africa look better on a resume than stating you served your time in the Caribbean or somewhere else? Is it more noble to serve in Africa for the Peace Corps than other places?

Answer 1

Serving in Africa as a Peace Corps is more prestigious because of the hardship and extreme climate conditions.

Answer 2

No.

A bit of unscientific research over the years has convinced me that your chances of a good experience are better if you are in a country with a reasonably honest government and have a definite job description.

Going to a country whose government's main purpose is to grow the President for Life's Swiss bank account, in an assignment of "Community Development" is a recipe for disaster.

The majority of the people who look at your resume afterwards won't have heard of the country you served in, unless it is Jamaica or Samoa.

Answer 3

Doesn't matter a bit.  I don't even know if you get a choice of where to serve when you're in the Peace Corps.  Why even put where you served on your resume?  Just say "Peace Corps" and be done with it.

Even though many people regard the Peace Corps as a lesser form of service than the military, there are a lot of people that don't have the fortitude to serve in the Peace Corps.

I served 11 years in the military, and even though that was a risk to my life, I believe that serving in the Peace Corps is a more demanding job on your abilities and, in some places, just as much of a risk to your life.

Answer 4

Not at all.  I am a RPCV and I have friends who served everywhere.  I also had one friend serve in both Armenia and Namibia, both presented there challenges.

Peace Corps Volunteers have an incredible skill set from doing what they do and it does not matter where you do it.

I served in Guatemala and actually had worse conditions than some of my friends who served in Africa.

Chose the program you see fit.  It's also easiest to match to Africa and Eastern Europe, FYI.

Answer 5

In general, no.

Having served in the Peace Corp is going to look good on any resume no matter where you were; but, if say you are applying for a job in a specific region, it might. Like if you were applying for a job at the US embassy in Kenya, I am sure it would look better that you served in Africa.