Peace Corps??

Question

Have any of you been in the peace corps before? if so how was it and did you enjoy it? what kinds of things did you have to do? im doing some research on the peace corps because i want to join after i am done with college! thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

Warning: strong opinion ahead.

I do research in countries that tend to attract Peace Corps Volunteers, and I am more often than not embarrassed by their behavior. The Peace Corps takes volunteers too young (fresh out of college...sorry), with no practical experience; it gives them inadequate skills training and apparently no education in how to conduct themselves properly in the host country. Consequently, every PCV I have ever met regards him or herself as God's gift to the Third World, is only interested in a 3-year party in the jungle, and/or is doing a job that someone from the host country could do just as well, like teaching English.

End of strong opinion, beginning of (hopefully) useful advice:

(1) Have a look at the book I've suggested below.
(2) Spend a year or two after college doing some job...any job, just to get the feel for life "in the real world" and some practical experience. Mongolia doesn't need more English teachers, it needs people who know about livestock diseases. Intern at a veterinary hospital.
(3) Ask yourself why you want to do this, and be brutally honest. Want to do some good? There are communities in the U.S. that are crying out for your good intentions, and organizations like Teach for America and AmeriCorps that will connect you with those communities - and yes, you can defer your student loans with them! Want to see the world? If your foreign travel experience up until now is limited or nonexistent, three years on your own in a developing country is *not* the place to start: you will do more harm than good, out of sheer ignorance. (Cruises do not count as foreign travel, and neither does anything that included your parents.) Long-term volunteer work abroad should really only be undertaken if you already have some first-hand experience with just how different life in the developing world is. Perhaps try a short-term volunteer project first?
(4) Once you've decided where and how you're going to do volunteer work, for God's sake remember that you are an ambassador for your country, and how you behave will affect your host community's attitude toward Americans for years, if not decades, to come. Oh yeah, and...
(5) People have the right not to be grateful. If even after all your hard work in your community your camera gets stolen, it's not because no one appreciates what you're doing for them. It's because they know you can buy another one.

Answer 2

After reading the previous answers, I thought I would back up Ted's post with more facts from an actual volunteer.

I spent two years on a tiny island teaching high school math. I would never recommend the Peace Corps to anyone since it is such a major undertaking but it was the most amazing experience of my life. You are doing the right thing by learning as much as you can before joining.

In contrast to "professor's" rant, I can tell you that all volunteers I know are some of the most dedicated and caring people that the U.S. has to offer. I never met one with a god complex. Oh, and the commitment of service os for two years, not three. I would never describe my experience as a "party"--it is ridiculous and dangerous to spread information that has no basis. Sorry... I'll stop focusing on her post and tell you more about my experience:

I wouldn't say that the PC is an "enjoyable" experience. It really is a difficult job. You will be separated from everything you've known, including family and friends. But you will learn about another culture and maybe help them out along the way, though you might not. I agree with the previous post when he said it is better to have a well-defined job. The volunteers that had the toughest time were those that were given generic development projects. There was an acute shortage of math and science teachers in my host country, so from a sustainability standpoint, it would have made more sense to train new teachers in the host country, but we did what we were equipped to do... just teach for two years.

Most people in the places PC volunteers go appreciate the work the volunteers do and actually get a more favorable picture of the U.S. through their interaction with volunteers. We were well-aware that we were ambassadors and took that responsibility seriously.

If you want to experience another culture in the most direct way possible, are prepared to spend two years away from home, and want to work hard in a fulfilling job, then the PC might be right for you.

Talking directly with returned volunteers (called RPCVs) is the absolute best way to learn about the PC. There are several RPCV groups and they often have meetings welcoming people who want to learn more and talk with returned volunteers. I included a link to a page that lists many of these groups--there is probably one somewhere near you.

Good luck with whatever you decide...

Answer 3

I'm sorry I beg to differ with the professor but I spent 10 days in Costa Rica with 16 Peace Corps Volunteers. They were wonderful young people and they were doing a great service for the communities they were sent to work in. I found no fault with any of them at all.

These young people are assigned a community in poverty and given a certain job to do , one guy would transport free medicine in his off hours. One guy was building a village bank account to help with shacks that needed repair.

I'm sure if you look into the Peace Corp a little better you will find that volunteering will also help you with your college fees.

These people lived in the same villa that I did beside me, all around me and I saw nothing that would give the Peace Corps a black eye. I applaud anyone that gives this organization a chance to help people in the third worlds.

I would say if you haven't been there with them and watched them, lived with them, then you cant speak about them or for them.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Answer 4

I was, 35 years ago.
http://www.tedpack.org/pchead.html
tells a little about it. I was an average volunteer; I taught English in a back country school. I worked 60 hours a week when school was in session. I worked harder, had more frustrations, had more success, learned more and had more adventures than any other time in my life.

Talking with other RPCV's, the ones with the best experiences have two things in common;

1) Work in a country where the Government is really trying to help better the people's lives. If you get sent to a country where the main function of the government is to keep 90% of the wealth in 10% of the hands, or to build up the "President for Life's Swiss bank account, you are doomed to be unhappy. West Africa is famous for this.

2) have a well-defined role, not "Community Development". Teach, nurse, advise farmers - have a clear job to do.

Answer 5

I was not in the Peace Corp, but the President of My college, Hobart was the head of the Peace Corp under Clinton, and you can go to the HWS.edu website and contact President Gearan, and he will have a bang up answer for you. This is not a joke!

Answer 6

The Peace Corps sucks, join a private organization that does the same thing the PC does only better. The PC wastes money, is not effective, and is highly unorganized. It's not worth it.

Answer 7

Well : we'd has an different "Orginization that youths can
join called Kiwanis Key Clubs International where each
Groups of Volunteers Sponsors with 1Community by building
newer projects every year " great idea for you !