Question about the Peace Corps...?

Question

I am thinking about joining the Peace Corps, but I'm a bit nervous cause I don't know what to expect. One of my main concerns is housing.

What sort of housing do you get when you join the Peace Corps? If you're in a hot climate, do you get AC? How about hot water (I know this is a luxury in some places)? And will I be able to have the internet where I live? I'd like to be able to keep in touch with my family this way, plus its fun to surf.

I don't want a lot... I don't want cable TV, or my own car, or anything like that. I just want some creature comforts, but I don't know what I would be getting into if I decide to join...

Answer 1

Expect to live, eat and sleep with the locals in an austere environment, especially when you're the "new guy". It's been called "a degree in human understanding", and I've been told that it's a very rewarding experience. I don't know what you've been told before, but it's a huge commitment...AC will be the least of your worries. If you want to help people, travel to foreign countries and stay comfortable, join the Army and become a Civil Affairs soldier...you do the research.

Answer 2

You get a bed, a job, and 3 good meals...everything else is kind of dependent on your location....though most all places will have internet access...even if you have to walk/ride to get there....typically there will be ac, but in some places it will be cool enough much of the year...some areas will have power only during parts of the day. Regardless, they make it as nice as possible and try hard to provide you with everything you will need.

Answer 3

You don't get to join the PeaceCorps -- you apply, and hope that your skills and references can get you through the very competitive process. Most applicants don't make it.

The Internet is filled with PeaceCorps blogs -- just type those two words into Google and you will find them. Read the stories by PeaceCorps members and you will learn a lot about the situation you might live in. That there are PeaceCorps blogs means, ofcourse, that many PCs do have Internet access, but you won't have time to surf the Internet much, even if you have access somewhere. If you are in a rural area, you might be able to travel to a larger city occasionally and use an Internet cafe.

If you are that worried about AC and getting to have fun surfing the Internet, the PeaceCorps is probably not the best for you. But read through the blogs and maybe you'll feel differently.

How's your tolerance for bugs?