Has anyone done it? Thoughts? I'm thinking of joining, Two years is a lot of time, but there are no other real international service options like it.

4/11/2007 12:01:02 PM

Ive thought about this, but my family would completely disown me if I did this

4/11/2007 12:02:03 PM

2 years is a loonnnngggg time if you wind up living in a mud hut.

4/11/2007 12:02:42 PM

Cross-cultural Solutions is kind of similar, except you can do it for a few weeks at a time.

Google it to be sure.

The downside is you have to pay for it yourself. But if a two-year commitment seems like it'd be too much, maybe it'd be worth it to you to save up the money.

4/11/2007 12:27:55 PM

There's always the reserves

4/11/2007 1:45:37 PM

I know 2 people who are both in the middle of Peace Corp missions in 2 different areas of the world. From their e-mails I can tell you they wouldn't trade their experiences for the world, but it takes a tough person to handle all that comes with the work they do.

2 years is a long time, but I doubt you'll have another experience like it.

4/11/2007 2:47:28 PM

im thinking of doing this, but how much input do you have for where you go? i'll probably just go somewhere on my own, but i dont know anything about the peace corps so i might consider it.

4/11/2007 3:09:08 PM

proficiency in the local language is a big plus in getting your pick of assignments, or so i've been told

I really want to do this, but i'm kinda behind as it is. If I end up getting into grad school in the next couple years I'll probably take the deferrment they allow and go for it.

I know of a classmate who went to Fiji and came back with a wife

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 3:28 PM. Reason : ;]

4/11/2007 3:27:19 PM

^^ at least, when filling out the application, you get to choose general regions (Sub-saharan africa, soulth america, etc...) so nothing too specific.

4/11/2007 4:21:02 PM

my dad said you get paid like $175/month

4/11/2007 4:34:14 PM

Your dad doesn't understand why people go into the Peace Corps.

4/11/2007 4:42:15 PM

you are given a stipend of a few thousand dollars upon your return

4/11/2007 5:09:59 PM

^^^$175 goes quite a bit farther in a rural part of a third world country than it does in the states.

4/11/2007 5:15:01 PM

well sure it goes farther in third world countries but it would be nice to get money you can use when you're done. i guess the stipend is alright. and i know...join the peace corps to make a difference, not to make money. i'd rather make money, but that's just me.

4/11/2007 5:53:57 PM

You get $6,000 when you get out. They can also defer loans, and with Stafford loans (possibly more) you can even get some of the money paid off. I'm planning on going into the Peace Corps and have talked with the recruiter here. Any specific questions?

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 6:01 PM. Reason : $]

4/11/2007 6:00:18 PM

a buddy of mine from USMC OCS turned down his commission in the Marine Corps in order to join the Peace Corps. Said he wanted to make a difference in the world, and the Marines would've been good, but ultimately, he felt the Peace Corps offered more of what he wanted. I still keep in touch with him from time to time.

4/11/2007 6:10:05 PM

^^ My only question right now is can I apply for this comming year still? Im pretty certian that I want to do it, but i feel like im sort of late to jump on the boat. I guess I'd have to talk to someone involved. Is there a recruiter near campus?

4/11/2007 8:08:18 PM

when i thought i would never find a real job i filled out all the shit....however, I then found a real job. I thought it would be interesting plus you get a leg up on federal jobs(ironic, I have a Fed job now)

also, you have to fill out a long form with any medical conditions you have....

a friend of a relative when to Africa twice, got sick both times(very bad)....Peace Corps told him he couldnt go back.

You also get a leg up on federal jobs being in the Peace Corps(at least a couple years after you return)

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 8:20 PM. Reason : w]

4/11/2007 8:13:25 PM

I know a girl that lives in mongolia and shits in a bucket in the peace corp.

4/11/2007 8:22:59 PM

^was she a spanish major?

4/11/2007 8:34:24 PM

i have a friend who is in africa, so far she has a scared eye and has contracted several illnesses.... our immune systems aren't up to the challenge. she has been a little frustrated/ saddened by the process because of the local's lack of desire to learn and change... aka we don't like clean water, it taste bad. we don't want to save food for when we don't have as much (canning etc) its too much work. i feel its a waste of time but if you need the feeling of doing it go for it.... and don't think your doing it for the people... its for YOU. Like i told my wife once, you going there does nothing but take someone there's job. want to help? hire someone there to do it for you

4/11/2007 9:21:57 PM

AHA!

it's all so clear to me now

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 9:50 PM. Reason : i just farted]

4/11/2007 9:45:25 PM

one of the worst things you can do is go into an area thinking you can change things, if thats your mindset you probably dont want to go. im planning a three month trip and i should be pretty good with the language when im done with that, so i might consider the peace corps afterwards if i can pick where i go. There are a lot of very valid criticisms about the peace corp that may keep me from doing it. The peace corp is another arm of us foreign policy that is often detrimental to the places they are trying to help, even a lot of ngo's cause more harm than good. its important that you find an organization that works with the people instead of telling them how they should change.

and you get $225 a month that is paid to you in a lump sum at the end

Quote :

"North Carolina State University - Raleigh The Peace Corps has a recruiter on campus to answer your questions and to conduct interviews. Please stop by! Recruiter: Allen Renquist II Location: Office of International Programs 325 Daniels Hall, Box 7112 Raleigh, NC 27695 Contact: Office Phone: 919-515-5340 Fax: 919-515-6835 peacecorps@ncsu.edu Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. "

actually it looks like theyve pulled out of haiti, so i guess im on my own

4/11/2007 9:51:27 PM

It's about a 10 month turnaround from signing up I think. Possibly 6 months.

EDIT: When should I apply/how long does it take?
We accept invitations on a rolling basis; there is no application deadline. The entire application process-from completion of your application to departure for service-takes an average of nine months. We encourage you to apply 9-12 months before you will be ready to begin your service.

From http://www.peacecorps.gov

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 10:10 PM. Reason : 1]

4/11/2007 10:06:19 PM

Quote :

"You get $6,000 when you get out. They can also defer loans, and with Stafford loans (possibly more) you can even get some of the money paid off. I'm planning on going into the Peace Corps and have talked with the recruiter here. Any specific questions? "

They don't pay off money on your Stafford loan, only Perkins.

4/11/2007 10:06:52 PM

Ah yes, Peace Corps, otherwise known as "I got a liberal arts degree and I can't get a job so I'm going to defer real life for a couple years under the guise of 'making a difference'".

4/11/2007 10:52:14 PM

^Actually, I think they have a lot of interest in people with degrees in agricultural fields.

But yeah, English major right here.

4/11/2007 10:59:46 PM

im mechanical engineering and have a job now that may turn into something and another offer already, some people just want the experience

4/11/2007 11:05:04 PM

^^ Heh, at least you've got a sense of humor about it.

Seriously though, I've known several people who've done it, and they all pretty much said that there was a lot of goofing off and not a huge amount of work involved. So it's pretty much a way for kids to figure out (or not, as the case may be) "what they want to do with their lives" on the taxpayer's dime and in some exotic locale.

^ Experience doing what? I doubt anything you'd be doing in the middle of Africa would be relevant to a future job unless you plan on building wells or digging ditches for the rest of your life.

[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 11:07 PM. Reason : ...]

4/11/2007 11:05:59 PM

not everything in life is so that you can get experience for a job, i feel bad for you if thats all your life is. i cant really put into words some of the best experiences i have had in haiti, but the experiences i have had on my trips down there are some of the best in my life and are truly life changing and i cant wait to get down there for a longer period of time. the first time i went to haiti i thought i was going there to help people and plant trees and build schools and stuff like that, but i learned that you take so much more from the experience than you can possibly give back. its uplifting and rejuvenating and its the adventure of being somewhere remote that few people get to experience. i've seen places that people don't even see on the news, ive experienced life at its worst and at its best... and i could give two shits whether or not any of it is applicable to my career.



[Edited on April 11, 2007 at 11:18 PM. Reason : .]

4/11/2007 11:16:41 PM

true that! I'm thinking of the PC also. I'm tired of working and would like to really do something before I get old!

4/11/2007 11:23:15 PM

I had just wanted to go for the experience already, but now I'm seeing ways in which it could really help my future. Not the real reason, but I'm not going to ignore possibilities. I'm thinking Peace Corps in Jordan maybe, learn Arabic, then go to law/grad school and try to see what federal jobs that could help me with.

4/11/2007 11:32:43 PM

^ You do realize that you don't have any control over where the Peace Corps sends you, right? No one gets to "choose" their assignment. You may express a strong desire for Jordan, but you probably won't get it.

4/12/2007 9:02:09 AM

so where are you trying to go? if you go that is.

4/12/2007 9:05:51 AM

^^ You do get to tell where you'd like to go and if you have language experience there it helps you get what you want. I applied for a scholarship to be in Egypt for two months this summer learning Arabic; that'll help. I'm also minoring in Spanish, so I wouldn't be crushed ending up in South America or Central America. It just happens that they don't really need a lot of English teachers in Spanish-speaking countries right now, they need more agricultural help as I said before. Also, you get some choice in what region you want to go to. If I show interest in the "North Africa/Middle East" region, there are only two countries: Jordan and Morocco. Both countries have an official language of Arabic, I'll be fine with either. So anyway, I would expect that I'd be able to get one of the three regions I like right now, but again, it's the Peace Corps experience in general that I'm looking for, so that doesn't even matter too much.

Thanks bud, but I've done a bit of research.

4/12/2007 10:16:19 AM

I've been nominated for Northern Africa/Middle East doing protected areas management (environmental). I am currently in the medical/dental/vision clearance process. Needless to say I am pretty excited abut the opportunities I have ahead of me.

It's important to realize that the PC only goes to countries that specifically request their help with certain jobs. so you're not "taking away someone's job" etc. Also, while service work is very important, it is only one of the three goals of the PC, the other two deal with cultural exchange:

Quote :

"The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals: Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans."

If you are actually interested in the PC or just want to learn more:
"General Information Session on applying for the Peace Corps will take place TONIGHT:

Thursday, Apr 12th from 6:30-8:30pm in FOX Hall room 304"
--

[Edited on April 12, 2007 at 10:30 AM. Reason : .]

4/12/2007 10:29:43 AM

^Damn, I have to be at a math banquet. Thanks though.

Yeah, I was thinking of going into education, where I don't think I would be taking anyones job, as most everywhere is in desperate need of teachers, even places in the U.S. but It doesn't look like Ill be doing it, Id have to wait three years until grad school, instead of just the two (since im so late on the application process). I might try for americorps or teach for america instead. But good to hear so many of you are considering doing something like this.

4/12/2007 2:26:52 PM

i was with my last boyfriend for about 9 months up until he left for peace corps back in feb. he's in el salvador for 2 years, working under health and water sanitation.

the entire application process takes about a year to complete, assuming you get past the tons of medical tests and interviews. if you don't have public health/water science experience, or (literally) a mech/civil engineering degree, you'll most likely be relegated to teaching english or other skills.

that said, i just got an email from him today. he's going to his site this week, things are really well organized, and things are going well.

my tip: do a google blog search for peace corps. i swear, almost every PCV has one. good luck.

oh, lastly-- don't go into the peace corps beacuse you want to change the world. you'll be let down, hard. do it because you want the experience, because you want to be someplace different for a while. if you go into it expecting to affect wide-spread global change, which is what a suprisingly high number of PCVs do, just...prepare yourself.

[Edited on April 12, 2007 at 2:44 PM. Reason : meh]

4/12/2007 2:42:28 PM

the problem with peace corp isnt taking peoples jobs, its forcing american foreign policy into areas that might not want it. its not always like that, but peace corp and other government organizations and ngo's have fucked up a lot of places. just be aware of that.

4/12/2007 4:26:39 PM

^ For sure, and I am completely aware of that. I think, however, that If i went into education, I'd be empowering the people to make the changes that they wanted, without forcing any sort of ideology on them (at least, I'd like to try and minimize that as much as possible).

And I'm well aware that i won't be changing the world, But it would help a few people, and would definately help me.

4/12/2007 5:15:04 PM

does anyone have any experience with Americorp? I thought about making this its on thread but I wanted to see what I would get here first.

4/13/2007 10:47:33 AM

I see that you are allowed 2 days a month for vacation in the peace corps...so you could actually go home for christmas or even several times if you could afford it...24 days off a year is pretty good.

4/13/2007 10:53:21 AM

If you want the "I worked in a Third World country to better humanity" thing, go to Grad School and then get paid good jack to do it. USAID, RTI and plenty of other organizations and government agencies do this work all over the globe and they pay very well.

4/13/2007 11:10:10 AM

The length of the process can take anywhere from 6 months to two years. I am on the two years end of things due to some health issues.

The paperwork and waiting are a pain in the ass but you're dealing with a governmental agency so it's to be expected. It also weeds people out who aren't patient and want things done right away. And from all that I've read and people who are currently serving that is good preparation for what you'll be going through. Chances are you won't see your project come to fruition, which can be frustrating for those who expect to see immediate results.

You do get some say in where you go, I believe you get three regional choices and then Peace Corps looks at what you have to offer in terms of background, experience, major then they try and find a program that is accepting volunteers. Then they take your health into consideration, if you have any medical concerns they will place you somewhere where those can be addressed.

I think that if you go into it with little expectation and are open to any region you will be sent to then the rewards will outweigh all the negatives. But then again I haven't begun my service yet. Maybe I'll be singing a different tune when its all over with.

I am headed to the Philippines and scheduled to leave May 11th.

4/14/2007 2:16:37 PM

I accidentally started a separate thread but I'll post what I did there in here:

Quote :

"I want to serve; in particular, I want to join the Peace Corps - I plan to sign up over the summer for a spring 2008-ish departure. In the meantime, I'd like to begin doing some community service here. In addition to the joy of helping others, this could also open some options for Peace Corps. Doing tutoring for half a year would help me if I decided to leave my major-specific (civil engineering) area of service and work with, say, youth development or teaching. Any ideas outside of Habitat for Humanity (Shack-a-thon, etc) and solo events like Service Raleigh? These are the only things I've found in ~30 minutes of searching through NCSU's website."

4/16/2007 11:04:26 PM

You might want to try and take up some leadership positions here, as you'd probably be using thse skill extensively. Habitat does have a tutoring program too, in case you didnt know.

4/17/2007 10:15:32 AM

For those of you talking about imposing values and trying to change things they are probably the most careful organization about this. No other groups make volunteers live in these villages, learn the local languages and customs as thoroughly before finding ways to help people in ways they want to be helped. Some NGO's can really screw development up by ignoring what local people are willing to put in, Peace Corps is EXTREMELY careful. It is very frustrating and slow sometimes but it's a great experience for the volunteer no matter what.

4/17/2007 10:32:15 PM

Quote :

"For those of you talking about imposing values and trying to change things they are probably the most careful organization about this. No other groups make volunteers live in these villages, learn the local languages and customs as thoroughly before finding ways to help people in ways they want to be helped. Some NGO's can really screw development up by ignoring what local people are willing to put in, Peace Corps is EXTREMELY careful. It is very frustrating and slow sometimes but it's a great experience for the volunteer no matter what. "

yep. i dont know how many hours are devoted to this during training but they do spend quite a bit of time on it. even during interviews its mentioned that we arent there to share our ideals. i was even asked during interviews about how i felt about sharing my religious views.

4/18/2007 2:02:01 AM

Quote :

"I am headed to the Philippines and scheduled to leave May 11th. "

checked the news lately? be safe!


with regards to ^ and ^^, I'm pretty sure the idea is in the peace corps mission statement. 2/3 of the goals are

Quote :

"2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. "

Basically, part of the job is to be culturally sensitve. Observing, learning, and not trying to give Bibles to everyone you see

4/19/2007 12:34:48 AM

set em up

4/19/2007 8:47:04 AM