Only for people who have been in the peace corps?

Question

I'm thinking I will join it after gettin my undergrad in college before I go back to get my PhD in psychology? I have been looking on the website but I'd like to talk to someone who has already done it. Whould this be a good thing for me to do before I go to grad school? Did you have your own place or did you live with a family? What did you do while you were in it? I think I would really enjoy education or a type of counseling (especially since I'm in psychology). What are some tips and advice you could give me? I have thought about doing this before and I would really like to do it so I can move and really experience a culture while helping people. Since I'm in psychology I will also be taking spanish classes. Any good advice is appreciated. Please don't make any ridiculous comments. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I was a volunteer 36 years ago. My daughter is one now. It would be a good thing to do. I had my own place, a 24x8 hut with three rooms and detached bath/kitchen. I had running water and 18 hours of electricity a day. My daughter lives with a family. I was a high school English teacher. My daughter is working with "At risk" youth.

Read a LOT more, if you like:

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

Answer 2

If you do decide to join, ask your recruiter how you could do your graduate school while you serve in the Peace Corps.  I served with a girl who was able to do a little bit of her graduate work while she served.

Whenever you do this is up to you, but you should remember that having too many things back home to worry about or to bog you down could really effect your service.  Many people quit and go home early because they had too many anchors in the states holding them back from focusing on their service.

I lived with a host family, which was imperative because they taught me the language and how to interact with the community.  I felt like another son to my host father, so it was easy to get involved.  I think it would be harder to get involved if you lived on your own.  I don't think you can live on your own, actually.  We had to live with a family, which made me get involved, even when I didn't want to.

I taught english at an elementary school.

The best advice I got was to walk in the shade, and to find ways to pass the time.  I developed some amazing skills when it came to passing the hours with nothing to do.  Also, thick skin is needed, for believe it or not, most people you will come in contact with will already have ideas about who you are.  Most people are prejudiced.  I had to fight this a lot.

My advice is to go for your dreams, and if the Peace Corps is one of them, then grab a hold and don't let go!

~Charles