As a volunteer, you will be the foundation of the Peace Corps efforts. Coming from every background and traveling to the far reaches of the globe to share their skills and values, Volunteers earn the admiration and respect of people who often have never met an American. From helping children get access to education to assisting farmers with agricultural techniques, Volunteers are making a difference in people's lives. And despite advances in technology that make it easier to communicate across borders and across the world, the on-the-ground, people-to-people relationships Peace Corps Volunteers forge with their co-workers and friends continues to be fundamental to international peace and understanding.

A Volunteer's contribution is not just made overseas. During and after service, Peace Corps Volunteers share their understanding of the culture, language and traditions of other countries with countless family members, friends, co-workers and community groups in the United States. Volunteers also make a difference at home through their continuing community service and by applying the skills they learned as Volunteers to a variety of professional disciplines.

The Peace Corps is more than the sum total of the Volunteers' activities. It stands for something special. It is a non-traditional government agency that reflects the most enduring values and ideals of the American people: generosity, civic pride, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to service. By demonstrating and sharing these qualities during their service, Volunteers contribute each day to creating a better understanding of Americans around the world. In the face of many personal and physical challenges, Peace Corps Volunteers offer their ingenuity and an approach to problems that is both idealistic and pragmatic.