Qualifications for a peace corps health volunteer??

Question

I'm currently in high school, and I REALLY want to be in the peace corps after I graduate from college. This is something that I'm really passionate about and really looking forward to doing. I've lived overseas before, and it's a whole nother world out there.

My biggest fear though is that I won't be accepted!!! I hear that they only accept one out of four applications, so I'm really nervous!!! I'm hoping to work as a health volunteer, but at the moment I have no experience whatsoever in health OR volunteer work.

I am, however, only a sophomore in highschool, and I plan on volunteering at the clinic that my aunt works at, and the clinic that my other aunt actually owns during the summer. I'd also like to do other things with the red cross, and other little bits of volunteer work at the local animal shelter and hospital.

So I guess that my real question is what are some classes in college that I can study so that I can be fully prepared for this job? I'm really excited and

Answer 1

That's easy. Go to their website at:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

Here. Fill out this form and see if you qualify(btw, you have to be at least 18 but growing up should the be least of your worries):

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shel...

Good luck!

Answer 2

a heart beat

Answer 3

Indeed, the PeaceCorps application process is very competitive, but you are doing the right thing -- getting a college degree, and thinking about what you can do now to start making yourself an outstanding candidate.

Definitely volunteer at the clinic your aunt is associated with, as well as anywhere else you can think of relating to health care. Work with people with HIV/AIDS and/or work regarding reproductive health and/or work with low-literacy populations will be particularly valued in your application (and in the field).

Not only clinic work, but advocacy/education work is needed in the field, so if there are any campaigns regarding encouraging young sexually active people to use condoms, encouraging people to stop smoking, etc., definitely get involved and learn what you can.

And, ofcourse, you need to be able to WORK in another language -- that means you have to do more than take a semester of French, for instance.