Why do I want to join the Peace Corps?

Question

Next month I'm entering my junior year in college, and at the end of the year I am planning on applying to the Peace Corps. The other day somebody asked me why I was interested in joining, and I froze. "I...don't know..." I'm not exactly eloquent when it comes to these interview type questions! And "I don't know" won't cut it as an answer with the Peace Corp recruiter! What am I supposed to say, though? "Because I like to help people" sounds so cheesy...besides, you can help people a lot of other ways besides the Peace Corps!

I have experience with at-risk youth and tutoring because I help tutor young children who are at risk of not reading at-level, but that's about it!

Do any prior Corps volunteers have advice for the interview? Or just anybody whose been in one? lol thanks!

Oh also I had a question, are French and Spanish the only helpful languages? Because I was planning on taking Arabic (Islam is my concentration) and maybe they'd place me in a Middle Eastern country?

Answer 1

Without being longwinded, because your question is an easy one, simply tell the interviewer:

"I would like to learn more about another culture, speak the language and try to do some good in the world.  I understand that developing  countries can't afford to pay workers, so they get by with the use of quality volunteers.  The Peace Corps is a reputable organization.  I want to work for an organization that I am confident has a good track record."

Good luck......it's not hard.  Don't make more of it than it is.

Answer 2

I'm at the end of my application process now, waiting on my invitation in fact. I know exactly what you mean. You will have to answer that question in an application essay as well as in your interview. It took me forever to really pinpoint "why" for me. When it came down to it, I am absolutely in love with cultures and learning about people, I like helping and teaching people things and seeing progress made (ie. when that light bulb kicks in), and I've had a privilege life, its time for me to give back.

But for real, if you give your answer and later feel like you "fudged it up" don't worry, these interviews are A LOT more relaxed. You are still expected to act and dress professionally, but many people describe them as having the feeling of a friend asking these questions over coffee, and sometimes relaying their own experiences (the recruiters are almost all returned pc volunteers--rpcv) I thought I messed up a lot in my interview, but it all turned out fine. To tell the truth, they are just looking to get an idea about you and make sure you aren't doing it for an ulterior motive, that you understand what the PC is and what you may be facing. Take the interview seriously, but remember, you're going to have fun in there and your interviewer is an RPCV--they've sat in the chair, they know how nervous you are, and basically, they just want to nominate you!!

I dunno when you are planning on leaving, but say you want to depart for the PC the summer after you graduate, the general rule is to apply the summer before you graduate, give yourself a year.

Your experience with at-risk youth and tutoring is great for the PC....that could open you up to Youth Development, TEFL, or Community Development.  I only had experience working at children's day camps and 2 months of an at-risk-day care as my volunteer/work experience. My major is history so it was pretty useless. With that experience, I have qualified for all 3 that I said you'd probably qualify for.

French and Spanish are the languages you'll hear the most about when applying for the PC and usefulness of languages. But Arabic, Russian, and Portuguese are also useful. The North Africa/Middle East region obviously speaks Arabic, and if you stress to them that you would really prefer that region due to what you've studied in college and that it would help with you future career path, then most likely, your recruiter will try to nominate you to that region. Russian sometimes helps in Eastern Europe/Central Asia, and Portuguese can help in Africa.

You should check out yahoo's group "peacecorps2" and join. If you join you can leave messages on the board...questions and such, and be sure to get TONS of answers since that is what the group is for. You won't be alone in that you haven't applied yet. I know of several people who are members of that group and actively post, but haven't applied yet or don't even expect to go for another year. If you join, you'll also have access to a Files & Database section. LOOK AT THOSE. I cannot begin to describe how helpful they have been to me during my application process. There are application essay examples, **unofficial** departure timelines, a list of interview questions (that are spot on, mine were identical), discounts for PCVs, etc.

Also, check out www.peacecorpswiki.org

And especially http://www.peacecorpsjournals.com where Peace Corps Volunteer blogs are categoried by region and country, and each country page lists the blogs and links about country information.

GL with everything! Hope I helped some

Jenna

TEFL--Eastern Europe--Sept '08

http://www.jcorps.blogspot.com