Organizations similar to the Peace Corps?

Question

Does anyone know of any other organization similar to the Peace Corps, yet something that doesn't require a two year commitment?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Try Americorps. It is the "American" peace corps. I did Americorps for two year, however, you only sign a contract for a year. I worked in a school, and tutored children. I also organzied activities for kids. It was a good experience. You get paid a stipend, and at the end you get scholarship money. If you have any questions, then email me, I can give you lots of information.
Good Luck!! you can go to their website, and find a program in your state, and the programs aren't just about teaching kids, there are a few different programs to choose from!!

Answer 2

If you use YA's advanced search option for the words "Peace Corps" you'll get some sponsored links. Many will expect you (or your friends and neighbors) to bear some or all of the cost.

The Peace Corps gives you three months of training. You'll learn your host country's language, history, religion(s) and culture, plus get some vocational training. (I learned Malay, Iban and Hokkien, then practice taught for six weeks, under the supervision of a master teacher, for instance.) They provide dental and medical care, a living allowance and some after-service placement counsling. They pay for your air fare over and back. It would not be cost-effective to do all that for someone who stayed on the job for a couple of weeks.

If you want to pay your own way, provide your own medical / dental insurance and already speak the language, there are a number of organizations that will place you for as little as a week. Some people take two-week "working" vacations as volunteers and have a ball. Some don't even require you to speak the language. (Not a problem if you volunteer inside the USA).

Here are some:

http://www.vso.org.uk/
(Based in the UK, takes volunteers from anywhere, has a six-month "programme" for people 18 - 25) I knew VSO's when I was in the Peace Corps 30 years ago. They are a solid, well-known organization.


Student Conservation Association
http://www.thesca.org/
My daughter spent a summer with them. You pay for your food and air fare, they loan you a tent. You spend 4-6 weeks doing manual labor in a national park in the USA with a great bunch of other kids. They will take volunteers as young as 16.


Here are two that sponsor links. I have no personal knowlege of either one.

Global Volunteers
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/

United Planet
http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest.html


You didn't ask, but those 27 months in the Peace Corps may be the high point of your life. You'll certainly be seeing the world in a new light, smelling new smells, eating new foods, meeting new people. They fly by. At 22, looking forward, they seem like a long time. At 60, looking back, they don't.

Answer 3

There are other volunteer service organizations similar to the peace corps that offer different experiences in America. You could look into Americorps or Teach for America ( a teaching position through Americorps). Both are highly respected and would provide great experience post-college.

Answer 4

Mercy Corps is a wonderful organization.

http://www.mercycorps.org/

Answer 5

well: according to the " Groups of Volunteers they'd Represent
an Orginization in which you can belong with (Job Corps) see
those types does help out among others "
refer http://www.jobcorps.org !