Is it hard to get into peace corps?

Question

I want to join after getting my bachelors degree, but it will be in history. I don't know if that is something they would be looking for...I don't really have any skills. I can't grow corn, etc.

Answer 1

I earned by BA in History with a minor in Spanish, and was accepted to teach english for Peace Corps in a non-spanish speaking country.  The key is to have some kind of teaching, tutoring, or volunteer experience in one of their key areas.  I believe teaching required 3 months previous experience.  They do a lot of training in country, I think they just want to make sure the people they accept don't go overseas and decide they don't like teaching, etc.

Peace Corps can be fairly exclusive...but they do this to make sure it is a positive experience for the volunteer and the country accepting these volunteers.  Without stringent pre-qualifiers volunteers might not be able to receive medical care for pre-existing conditions, might accept a position in a country they are not mentally equipped to deal with, etc... (i.e. in my interview they asked questions about what would be difficult for me to handle and for me being somewhere without electricity would be hard as a night owl.)

Answer 2

Yes, it's hard. But you can do a lot in addition to your degree in history to make yourself a viable candidate. You need to commit right now to learn to work in another language. Spanish is good for central and South America. French is good for several countries in Africa, as well as being a popular second language throughout the world. Russian is good for former Soviet bloc countries.

You also need to get a lot of experience volunteering locally -- managing a project entirely by yourself, for instance, volunteering with literacy or HIV education programs, would be experience the PC would value very much.

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations such as the PeaceCorps, and how you can start to gain such experience locally, wherever you are now. You are never too young nor too old to start engaging in activities and training that will make you a viable candidate for long-term volunteer placement agencies:

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

Answer 3

You're qualified.  My guess is that at least 1 out of 3 PC applicants get in, after another 1 in 3 decide not to join.  Of the other 1 in 3, some are turned down for health reasons or for not having a degree, as you will have.  Good luck!

Some PCVolunteers teach American Studies courses, which your history degree would qualify you to do.

Answer 4

You may be able to teach English in an upriver school. There may be more options. Talk to a recruiter and take some TEFL classes before you get out of college.

They take one in four applicants, the last time I asked.

I was in Sarawak as a PCV in 1971 and 1972. My daughter is in Peru as a PCV now.

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

has some stories and pictures.

Answer 5

no just go to google and ask for info.

Answer 6

PC is a lengthy process (about 1 year from application to leaving).  There are lots of sectors within PC (business, technology, health, water and sanitation, youth development, education, environment).  There are history majors but they have some basics in one of these other sectors.  For many people, having basic computer skills, fluent English, and teamwork experience will apply to any sector and service type.  

Also keep in mind that PC provides 3 months of technical and language training to prepare you for working, so it's not necessary to be an expert in any one field or to be fluent in the language.  Of course, the more you have before you go, the more prepared you will be.  But, we had several who came with 0 language and a bachelors degree alone.  

Things that will help will be travelling, volunteering in your community, and studying a language.  The more important things are your attitude and personality to manage your service, so keep that in mind.  If you live in a larger city, you may have a returned PC group.  You can google it and meet them at one of their social events or PC presentations.  If not, there are PC groups on Yahoo.

Good luck