Has anyone Joined the Peace Corps?

Question

I am really interested in joining the peace corps, not only can it help with your student loans, but it seems like a great experience to travel and meet and help people. I am from Jamaica but i live here in the States. Has anyone had any experience with the Corps? what about after the corps any benefits in life?.. and what about where they put u, personally i would like to go back and help jamaica because i know the languags, but how lenient are they to let u choose your country of choice?

Answer 1

I completed my term of service with Peace Corps in 2005, from teaching in Tanzania, East Africa.
The main problem that I can see for you is that you say you are "from Jamaica." One requirement for Peace Corps is U.S. citizenship -- have you become naturalized in the US?
The benefits of the Peace Corps are not monetary; a volunteer is given a food allowance to allow for living on a level with the country's people. But the opportunity to meet new people and learn new things is wonderful!
You can not choose the country where you will serve. You are given a general option, such as high school scienc teacher, and you can choose a general region of the world (they encouraged me for sub-Saharan Africa). The chances of being sent back to your own country are slim, but if you meet the requirements it's worth a try!

Another option that would allow you more choice -- you can see a list of countries and assignments to apply -- is the Volunteer Services Organization or VSO. They will allow people from any country in the world to apply, although most of their volunteers are from the UK, the US, or Canada. Another one, mainly British, is called Students Partnership Worldwide or SPW. They concentrate on HIV/AIDS prevention and education.

Whichever route you choose, I wish you good luck! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 2

I've thought about it and researched it but in my life right now I couldn't. I'm in college and I live with my parents so that's a huge move. I would have to put my life on hold for two years although it is rewarding and looks darn good on a resume', still. Plus I love my family and to be out of contact with them for weeks and sometimes months at a time is scary. Also, the living conditions. You don't have a choice as to where you go so it could be in a remote village that has no electricity, no clean water, and is stricken with malaria. Or maybe you're assigned to a modern region, but there's constant fighting/warfare or genocide. It's risky. You do get like a week of vacation per year but that's not really a lot. Especially if your job is strenuous. Which I imagine it is. I think if you're in a position to do it, go for it. The Peace Corps is an amazing program because it helps those less fortunate around the world. Everyone is different, for some people the Peace Corps is life changing and it helps them see the important/valuable things in life before it's too late.

Answer 3

I am not in the peace corps however i did do a speech on the subject and plan to join after college. The corps does give you experience in certain fields of work so that experience gives you benefits in life. Also jobs love to her about volunteer work. They do not let you choose the country you go to but because you know the language you are more likely to go there. However, you cannot choose. I think your choice to join is a great one. Check out www.peacecorps.gov for all the information you will need and go there to submit an application to join. Good luck!

Answer 4

My sister was a Peace Corps volunteer. I know that she needed to have a college degree in order to join, and that she was able to request an assignment but was not guaranteed a specific placement. She was paid a small amount of money while she was in-country, but they do call it "volunteering" for a reason. So I don't think you should expect to get rich from it. She is also a US citizen. I do not know if this is a requirement.

It was difficult for her to be gone for so long, and the culture shock was pretty big when she arrived there, for the whole time she was there and then -- interestingly -- when she got home too.

But after it was all done I know she feels like it was a wonderful and beneficial experience. She has been home for over 6 years now and still maintains contacts and friendships from her Peace Corps time (she was stationed in Senegal, West Africa).

Answer 5

I applied, but then I didn't get past the second part of the application process because I'm mentally ill and they said they couldn't take a chance sending me someplace without proper medical care. If you have certain medical conditions, forget it! They won't even let you get all the way through the application process.

I also got rejected for Americorps.

But I think it's a good idea IF you are a very healthy individual.

You don't get to pick where you go for the most part. I mean, if they have an opening and you want to go where the opening is, maybe you could pick, but you're gonna have to go where the greatest need is.

Answer 6

I encourage you to do that, I didn't serve with them before but I have heard that they are good and effective, I think you would be able to go back Jamaica after some period you spend with them, I'm looking for an opportunity like this too but being an Iraqi man and still living in Iraq makes it almost impossible although I have a good experience in aid working here especially in arm conflict areas, good luck and tell me what you would happen to you with them, good luck.

Answer 7

nope and not planning on it

Answer 8

not me