EVALUATATE YOUR SITUATION
Ahhhhh, the Peace Corps. Meandering through a rural village in an exotic place where no one speaks your language. Palm trees and romantic monsoons. Elephants and water buffaloes lumbering past your front porch. Grass huts and smiling children looking up at you adoringly.
These are probably the stereotypical images that come to your mind when you think of the Peace Corps. Well here's a reality check: what appears to be adoration in those children's eyes may simply be a look of amusement, as in, "Who's that freak with the ugly sandals?" Also, there's as much chance that you'll find yourself in the urban center of Kazakhstan as in a grass hut in Fiji. Two potentially equally rewarding, but vastly differing environments.
The reality is that each Peace Corps volunteer's experience varies greatly from every other's, and your best bet is to simply get rid of any and all preconceived notions of how life in the Corps will be. If you have little or no tolerance for uncertainty, stop reading now. The Peace Corps is not for you.
WHAT IS THE PEACE CORPS?
Basically, joining the Peace Corps means that you'll go to a foreign country (where English may not be spoken) and do some kind of service there at the request of its government. Whether it's teaching, or helping sick children, or working with the government on cleaning up an urban city, it's probably not going to be the kind of work we usually think of as "glamorous."
The world has changed since John F. Kennedy founded the Peace Corps in 1961. Although many volunteers still live and work in rural villages, and haul their drinking water from a nearby river, it is now just as common to find a volunteer giving computer training to university staff in a city and going home at night to electricity and running water.
What hasn't changed is the fact that joining the Peace Corps is a JOB, and volunteers still work, teach, and learn while completely immersed in another culture for two years (that's approximately 730 days, for those of you scoring at home). They have the chance to participate in a professional and cultural exchange that can have life-long educational benefits for all parties involved. Volunteers have the opportunity to prove that Americans' lives are not identical to those of the characters on Beverly Hills, 90210. Likewise, the country's citizens can prove that there's more to a country than what you see on CNN.
This SYW will present the logistics of how to apply to join the Peace Corps, what to expect and what not to expect, and perhaps debunk some Peace Corps myths. For instance, no, not all volunteers know how to sing "Kumbayah," and yes, many Republicans do join and love the experience. It also may be helpful to know that the age range of volunteers is 18 to 65. Seven thousand volunteers currently serve in 78 countries around the world, with the largest numbers in the fields of education and health, followed closely by environment and business. Facts like these are just begging to appear on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Joining the Peace Corps is not a decision to be made lightly. It basically involves you giving up two years of your life with little or no pay, with the fundamental goal of helping people in less fortunate areas of the world. So if you're interested in joining the Peace Corps purely for the travel, then we suggest that you find a job that will allow you to save enough money for a two-year backpacking stint around wherever it is your little heart desires instead. The Peace Corps should not be thought of as a place to sling up your hammock for two years and groove to Phish tapes, either. It would be much easier to just become a groupie for your favorite band. The Peace Corps is definitely work.
So how can you find out if the Peace Corps is right for you? Follow these tips:
Make sure you're familiar with the goals and philosophy of the Peace Corps. These are what you are going to have to live by for two years. The best place to learn this and other factual information is their official website at www.peacecorps.gov. They'll give you all of the official information. Check it out to get a sense of what it is all about, and then come back here and find out the real scoop.
Talk to returned volunteers. This could be your best and worst information source. It is important to keep in mind that they are relating very personal and specific experiences - everything from the jobs they did, to the towns and countries they lived in, to the way they interacted with their community. It might be more of a help in the long run to ask them questions they can answer objectively, such as, "Was there a strong support network of other volunteers?" and not ones like, "So, uh, did you like it or what?"
Be prepared to spend 27 months away from home. Joining the Peace Corps is committing to spending two years and three months (three-month training period, two-year service) in a faraway land that might have big bugs and dirty water. Naturally, there are some people who have to leave early when extenuating circumstances arise (for medical reasons, for example). But after you are already there and settled into your community is not the time to decide that you'd rather go back to the U.S and begin the novel you've always wanted to write. Volunteers who quit for no real reason often cause a great deal of unnecessary hurt feelings in the communities that have gone out of their way to host them. Remember that this is not just about you! And for Pete's sake, please stay home if you are one of those people whose attitude is, "Well, I'm just a volunteer, it's not a real job, so I can quit anytime if I don't like it." Whiners are not welcome.
Think carefully about who and what you are leaving, and about whether you are at a time in your life where you can make such a commitment. There are plenty of part-time or short-term international volunteer opportunities to be had through other agencies, so check out the resources we suggest at the end of this article.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
We are sure that this question never even entered your mind, since we all know that Peace Corps volunteers are selfless humanitarians, willing to courageously dedicate their entire lives to the betterment of the world without ever asking for a single thing in return. Uh huh… Listen up, there was only one Mother Teresa, and even she couldn't have been pleasant all of the time. Be it class credit or a bit of money, even a selfless humanitarian can enjoy a good perk or two.
First and foremost, there are all the warm and fuzzy benefits: being able to make a difference in the lives of others, learning not to take things for granted, developing life-long friendships, and a slew of other feelings which may actually surprise you with their number and intensity. Sounds like sleepaway camp, eh?
But there are also some nice practical benefits that can make the decision to join up a bit easier. These include:
Student loan deferment. If you feel that you can't do anything selfless because you have to worry about paying back those student loans, participation in the Peace Corps can allow you to defer several different types of loans.
Career services. The Peace Corps will help you with a résumé that highlights your experience and will look great to prospective employers when you are back in the U.S. looking for a job. There is also a monthly newsletter with job listings and networks of people and groups to contact who will be of help.
Educational opportunities. Many returned volunteers decide to go to graduate school, and not only does Peace Corps experience often give you an edge in the application process, but some schools will also offer scholarships or fellowships for previous participants.
Financial assistance. You will receive a modest monthly living allowance that will (we hope) cover all your basic necessities and some travel. In addition, just so you don't come back to the U.S. destitute, you receive over $6,000 (it comes from a monthly allowance that Peace Corps collects for you) to help you readjust upon your return. Of course it's more likely that you'll blow it all on a great trip after you are done with your service.
APPLY CORRECTLY
There are four main steps to applying to join the Peace Corps:
Complete the application
The first thing you'll learn is that the Peace Corps is indeed a government organization. This becomes very clear when you encounter the bureaucracy that oversees the application process. Just try to get someone on the phone to answer any questions you might have. Don't worry, that's what we're here for. But surprisingly, once you actually do speak to real live people, they are extremely friendly and helpful.
Although there have been recent rumors that Washington is trying to improve the application process, we tend to believe that the annoying application process is a great tool for weeding out prospective volunteers who really shouldn't join up. If you can't make it past the paperwork, then there's a good chance you won't be able to make it past those giant insects you'll have to battle in your bathroom/outhouse/large bush.
And don't forget that you (the party in the first part) are volunteering for an agency of our government (the party in the second part) that was asked by an agency from another government (the party in the third part) to come over and perform a service for still another one of that government's agencies (one or two parties in the third, fourth and possibly fifth part). That last sentence just smacks of government, eh? Not surprisingly, Peace Corps volunteers are exempted from competitive entry for Civil Service jobs upon their return.
Back to the application: so the first main step is to fill out buttloads of paperwork. Go to the Peace Corps web site to check it out. Nothing too outlandishly weird, but there's a lot of it.
The second main step involves the dreaded "personal statement." Remember those college applications that asked you ridiculous questions about leaders and values and all that crap? Get ready to do it again. The application is structured around essay questions. This makes sense, as one of the main objectives of Peace Corps is to find out how you are likely to relate to unfamiliar or stressful situations, as well as how you will interact with people of another culture.
Don't stress out if you haven't had a whole lot of previous intercultural experience. What is most important is that you convey your desire to learn, remain open-minded, and not assume that America is the center of the universe (although after seeing the slew of McDonalds restaurants and Coca-Cola bottles all over the world, it can be hard to think otherwise).
The third main step is the most time-consuming aspect of the application: bugging your references to get their letters back to you. You'll need three references when you apply: one from a current or previous employer, one from a volunteer supervisor, and one from a friend. Your best bet is to just get everything in quickly. The entire process, from completing the application to leaving the country, can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Meet for an interview
After you turn in your application, your branch office (the Peace Corps office in the city closest to where you live) will most likely schedule an interview within a month of when they receive the application.
The interview will vary, depending on the person who interviews you. Some candidates report going through a cross-examination, and others have a more relaxed 'get-to-know-you' type chat. Just remain cool, be yourself, and remember that this is also part of the matching process. If you break out in hives every time the temperature rises above 80 degrees, this would be a good thing for the Peace Corps to know when they are deciding on your placement.
What is it with this "placement" anyway? We shall be blunt: you don't get to choose, but you can vocalize preferences for regions in which you want to be placed. Now don't get too picky with geography. Remember, this is not your travel agent helping you plan a two-year vacation to your favorite destination. You'll go where you're needed. What it really comes down to anyway is what programs in your field of expertise happen to be available at the same time that you are. Don't assume, for example, that because you speak fluent French, you will be assigned to a French-speaking country. If there isn't a match available, they'll just ship you someplace else.
Get your medical check-ups
Be aware that the Peace Corps likes its volunteers to be physically and mentally healthy, which is a pretty reasonable request (and benefits both parties). This means, however, that if you do have any health issues, you may be required to address them before they will offer you a placement. This may slow down the process a bit, particularly because you will have to get all the documentation reviewed by the Peace Corps Medical Office.
Don't assume, however, that you'll necessarily be rejected due to a medical condition. Volunteers who have asthma or some kinds of epilepsy, for example, are simply sent to countries where they will have greater access to necessary medical facilities.
Wait for a placement
As we mentioned earlier, the entire process can take from 3 to 6 months. In some ways, the wait is the hardest aspect, in part because you don't know where you'll be air-dropped. . . uh, we mean "assigned."
Even though you might be told during your interview of a potential placement, it is only after you have had your interview and been medically cleared that the Peace Corps will give you an official invitation. So it is entirely possible that you were told of a particular opening in South America, but by the time the invitation is made, that spot is closed and another one is open in North Africa.
You've just gotta go with the flow, man. . . it's all part of the adventure.
PACK APPROPRIATELY
You'll probably be told at least once to pack light. DO IT. Other than that, what you pack will naturally depend on where you're going. The Peace Corps office in the country you are going to will send you a packet filled with all kinds of fun and useful tidbits of information, including a list of what to bring. Bring HALF of that. You are either going to end up lugging your stuff across the country on public transportation (most likely not a pleasurable experience), or paying an exorbitant amount of money to have it sent to whatever town you are assigned to.
Actually, before you leave, a good idea would be to run up and down the stairs a few times carrying all of your luggage to see if you can handle it. If you want to kill two birds with one stone (something that you might actually get to do on some assignments), strap on your luggage and run around your neighborhood. That way you can also begin to get used to people staring at you strangely. It's going to happen.
Duct tape and Ziploc bags always come in handy - no matter in what country you are placed. Truly great stuff. Bring some.
There are some other useful items to bring, regardless of where you are assigned. Naturally, these also depend on your taste and degree of dependence on material items:
A real Swiss army knife with a can opener attachment. Buy a cheap knock-off at your own risk.
A battery-operated or hand-crank rechargeable short wave radio. It helps long and lonely nights (get used to the idea now, there will be plenty) pass by more easily.
A few really good paperbacks you haven't started yet.
Assorted photos of family and friends. Not for you, but for your host community. They'll love these, as it gives them a better sense of who you are.
Earplugs. Roosters (and other assorted loud creatures) pop up in an unbelievably large number of places around the world. They always seem to be set for midnight, and they don't have snooze buttons.
Luggage that either rolls or fits comfortably on your back. Nothing is quite so stereotypical of the Ugly American as a person standing on a wharf or airport, trying to corral a few of the local boys into hauling enormous trunks. Not the first impression you'll want to make on your hosts.
STICK WITH IT
Yes, we've continually repeated the importance of commitment when joining the Peace Corps. There are definitely going to be some difficult times. There will be days when the hours just crawl by and you will ask yourself what the hell you are doing there. You will ponder the meaning of life and question the significance of your presence in this world. This is when you have to suck it up and play down the drama. After all, these are also common musings during coffee breaks at work in the U.S., right? In such dire times, also remember that you're pretty much a guest of the government just visiting. Most of the people live there year-round. So stop your bitching.
Yes, there will also be many, many times when you look around and are thoroughly amazed and excited at where you are and what you are doing. This may be a less likely stateside coffee break musing - unless it's damn good coffee.
The Peace Corps does an excellent job of providing a strong in-country support system, addressing both your physical and psychological needs. You'll have access to good health care and a library of resource materials that can be of great professional help. The network of support you will depend on the most will probably be the group of other volunteers in the country who are sharing your experience. Be friendly and talk to them. You're all in it together. It is VERY unlikely that you will be dropped in the middle of a desert completely alone with no other volunteers within a 2,000 mile radius.
If, nay, WHEN you do decide to join the Peace Corps, you can be assured it will be a life-changing experience. There is one statement that many a returned volunteer will readily confirm that has become a motto of the Peace Corps: it is indeed "the toughest job you'll ever love."
(courtesty http://www.soyouwanna.com/)
