thinking about working abroad or peace corp any ideas on either?

Question

I've been thinking about this for a while now. i would love to travel and see the world. but dont know which is better, would like to know more about the peace corp. also would like to know if there are any good work abroad programs out there

Answer 1

One doesn't decide to go into the PeaceCorps -- you can decide only to apply. The PC is a highly competitive process, and most applicants aren't accepted.

To know more about the PeaceCorps, visit the official web site. There also may be a Returned PeaceCorps Volunteers chapter in your area -- a search on the Internet will tell you if there is such, and help you get in touch with former members.

Organizations that don't charge fees for volunteering, such as VSO Canada, UN Volunteers and the PeaceCorps are looking for people who can work (read, write and speak) in a language other than English, who have skills and experience that can lead to local people generating income, better feeding their families, improving children's health, etc., or that can lead to the transformation of key institutions, such as government, universities/schools or NGOs. They are looking for people who can commit to a two-year assignment, who have experience working with under-served communities, or who have a lot of experience in very diverse or religiously-conservative communities. The average age of volunteers in these organizations is over 30 (for UNVs, it's 38) and most not only have degrees, they also have grad degrees.

The goal is to give local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good vacation -- hence why short-term placement agencies charge volunteers, or require these volunteers to pay their own way (flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to supervise and support them in their service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc.).

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations, and how you can gain that experience locally. It also lists the various organizations that don't charge for volunteer placement (but require a great deal of experience).
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volunteer/international.html

There is a listing of the more-than-30 member organizations of the International Volunteers Program Association (IVPA) that is a good place to find reputable volunteer-for-a-fee programs -- programs where you don't need to have much experience in order to participate, and the placements are just for a few weeks or months:
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

The cheapest overseas volunteer-sending organization in the USA that will send unskilled volunteers for short-term assignments (six months or less) that I've found is SCI - Service Civil International (http://www.sci-ivs.org/). I know *nothing* about them other than what's on their web site, so please don't consider the listing of this organization in my answer as an endorsement.

Answer 2

If you were looking for information you could have searched for their website, its http://www.peacecorps.gov/ . But as you have not and they would ofcourse mainly list their success stories, can I add the following to this.

Most important is that your motivation comes from helping other people in less fortunate places, and be prepared to live the life they do, so without much of the material goodies, but with the happiness and fun of real society. Ask yourself honestly if you are not doing this just to get away from your current life, because if so it gets you through the first weeks, but will work against you the rest of the time. Its not a holiday.

And secondly be prepared that as an American you will meet with resistance, anger and suspision wherever you go. Think of that as being a discriminated minority out there, and having to win the trust of people while at the same time your government does otherwise. It will limit your work, and your results. No harm in that, as long as you realise it and agree. Your goal should be no more than to make people realise that there are different Americans, and not forcing opinions. Preaching the governments gospel will only get you in trouble.

Having said that, I would urge any person to spend time abroad helping others, as it will give you a mirror of your own country and life and a good view of the real world, especially when it comes to meeting fantastic people, because they are everywhere. If you place your bar realisticly, jumping over it will be the best thing thats happened to you. Good luck!