Peace Corps choice of location?

Question

I'm hoping to join the Peace Corps and I was wondering how many people get sent to the location they picked as their top choice. I'd love to volunteer in Jordan or Morocco, and I'm hoping to avoid Asia and southern Africa.

Answer 1

PeaceCorps placements are done based on what openings are available and what applicants are appropriate and available. If you want to volunteer in Jordan or Morocco, get to work on your Arabic skills. If you want to volunteer in Africa other than in Southern Africa, get to work on your French skills.

You have the right to refuse a placement, but you might be asked why.

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 Peace Corps:

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

Answer 2

Having gone through the process myself (I leave for Mali on July 7th) I can tell you it really varies.  I wanted to so to subsaharan Africa and I partially got my wish.  Like the first person said, it depends on where they need people and what your skills are like.  If you want to go to Jordan or North Africa but have no experience in that area with either volunteering or the language, its going to be very slim chance that they will place you there.  During your initial interview you can plead your case to your placement officer and he will ask you what you're top choice is and why you want to be placed there.  

  In the end, however, they will place you where they feel you will fit best...whether it be because of health reasons, language restrictions or past volunteer experience.  If you want to have a better shot at getting what you want: get experience working with that culture, learn the language and even go visit that region.