I'm thinking of joining the Peace Corps, Is that good?

Question

What I mean is, is there any negative, or bad rumors or facts that have been revealed about the Peace Corps. I really just want to help, and it seems like this is the best way, but I dont want to get involved in an organization with crooks.

And also, could I do this without risking my education?

Answer 1

You don't get to decide to join the PeaceCorps. You get to decide to *apply*, and hope that you are one of the applicants chosen -- MOST are not.

They prefer people who have at least an undergrad degree -- they really like people who have Master's Degrees, a lot of work experience, and/or can work in another language.

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations, or organizations that don't charge volunteers but require volunteers to be highly-skilled, and how you can start to gain such experience locally, wherever you are now.:

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volu...

Answer 2

It is a large organization. 160,000+ people have served as volunteers. It has made mistakes as an organization. Volunteers have made mistakes as individuals. On the whole, it does a lot more good than harm and most volunteers have a good experience, when they balance the good times and the bad.

It is not perfect. Volunteers have been raped or robbed or murdered. So have undergraduates in placid mid-western college towns.

The Peace Corps will be an education. I don't know what you mean by "risking". 92% of all volunteers have a college degree. The rest have 10 - 50 years of experience in a field that a host country wants.

They accept one out of four applicants.

I was a PCV 37 years ago. My daughter is one now.