What do you think about the Peace Corps?

Question

Anyone been a part of it? How is it? What sorts of people are involved? How old should one be to join? Is it a good or bad experiance? Any opinions??

Answer 1

I'm a Peace Corps volunteer now in Uganda. I've been here since March 2005. It has been a really great experience for me but very difficult at times. You definitely get immersed in a culture usually very different from the way of life we live in the US and I have generated close bonds with some of my friends and colleagues here.

The difficulties generally come in getting adjusted to the way of life and finding trustworthy people to work with. As much as you have a primary assignment many volunteers have various secondary projects that they work on that can be almost anything. For example I am a public health volunteer but have started a computer center for teaching community members as a secondary project. The key about it is being able to work in an unstructured environment and being able to find work for yourself and forge relationships with people. Work is very often extremely frustrating but as long as you can be patient the reward you feel after things go right can be immense.

You make great friendships with your fellow Peace Corps volunteers and the returned peace corps volunteer community back in the states I've heard can be really helpful as far as your future career is concerned.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I have.

My experience was wonderful. People who get specific jobs in countries whose governments are reasonably honest have the best time. People who get vague job descriptions in countries where the government's main function is to increase the Swiss bank account balance of the President for Life have bad times.

The people vary. They tend to be young, idealistic and tough. Not all. We had a retired teacher in our group. She mentored new primary school teachers, they loved her. She was old, idealistic and tough.

They will take you at 18 but your chances of having a skill a host country has asked for at 18 are dismal. 92% have a college degree, mostly bachelors. 28% have an advanced degree.

Read a lot more, if you like:

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

Answer 3

It is an amazing organization but be prepared to work. Folks from all walks of life are involved and they work all over the world.

It is a terrific opportunity to meet people from other cultures and to learn from them.

Answer 4

Where does it work?

Answer 5

Good I guess, if you have a masters degree!

if you don't have  a collage degree they wont take you ,,

OK Maybe not a masters but you have to have been in a 4 yr collage read it the guy gave you the link , Why did I get a thumbs down ? I am right ,,

Answer 6

Please go to the PeaceCorps web site, and all of the related sites by returned members. You can find these using Google. You will have all of your questions answered.

You need to be at least 18 years old, have NO debt whatsoever, and an area of expertise that would be helpful to people in the developing world (health care, small business development, ecotourism, organic farming, midwife, sanitation, etc.).

Answer 7

It is a good organization. I met some volunteers when I was stationed  down in Honduras. Here is their link   http://www.peacecorps.gov/