BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm applying for the Peace Corps, which is a terribly long process, but I'm trying to survive it. I'm writing to see if anyone out there in computer land is too or has gone or knows of anyone that has gone is trying to go. And if you answer to any of these is "yes" than to share some stories.

For example, this story comes from one of my recruiters:
She was stationed in Zambia and just because of the oddity, the villagers would follow the volunteers quite often. However they followed more frequently a Korean volunteer and would call out "China, China, China." They knew her name, but found it easier to call her China. Well one day she just couldn't take it anymore and eventually had to go back to the states. The constant pestering and being called "China" made her crack I guess.

Now your turn.

I was a PCV in Botswana from 1989 to 1991.

It is more likely that you will be pestered by the local folk in Africa by the kids constantly yelling "Hello teacher" because, if you are a "white" person - you are assumed to be a teacher. And I wasn't a teacher!

For me it wasn't an easy couple years, but it changed my life and I have lived overseas ever since. The PC did teach me some cultural skills that have served me well in the four countries I have lived in since I left Botswana.

People use all sorts of reasons to bail out. The stories almost don't matter. It is important to know that living overseas is NOT for everyone and not everyone handles culture shock or cultural issues well. No need for an excuse or concocted story. It just is and no one needs apologize.

It has always been my opinion that the PC purposefully drags out the joining-up process and makes it a bit of a pain in the butt. Why? Because if you bail from the admission process being too hard - you'll NEVER survive in Africa or any lesser-developed country - because that is going to be about 100 times more frustrating and irritating. I promise. So, bailing from the process tells you that you wouldn't have survived anyway - and they did you a favor helping you figure it out BEFORE you quit your job, broke up with your boy/girlfriend, sold your house - packed up and went.

The PC was a difficult two years for me that I will never ever regret. It taught me more about myself, the world, and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life than any 20 years of college, or therapy!, could offer. Few great things in life are easy.

Stories - sure tons of them - from giant scorpions and bats in my house - to having a few local women grab my crotch wanting some of that uh . . . to having my house broken into a few times, to having my car stolen, to . . . But none of the stories are typical - and most mean too much to make light of. Yikes! I am being difficult today. Sit down with a beer and let's talk - probably a better way to do it.

I've often thought that if I ever lived in the USA again - the only job I would want to have would be as a PC recruiter.

BTW, don't think that because I choose to live overseas that I don't love my country. The best way to know how truly great your country and culture is - is to live away from it.

That should get the discussion started for you!

I recently crossed paths (in the Internet world) with a soon to be PC member in Ukraine. Here is his blog if you want to check it out: James Mosher.

Interesting fact I learned from him: Ukraine has the largest amount of PC members in the world. In his class that is heading out at the end of March there are 60+ people going to Ukraine.

Here's another thread about Peace Corps. My story is in there. PM me if you have any more questions.

I posted to the other thread, but PM me if you have questions. The drawn out application process sounds about right. I applied a month after finishing my Bachelor's degree - it was about 2 years to the day of my graduation that I actually left. My post was in the Caribbean, which sounds ridiculous, I know. But in retrospect, I think I'm pretty damn fortunate that I got to spend my early 20s living and working in a place like that.

TedKarma's comments are pretty right on - going through the experience of living/working in another culture will be hard, but is ultimately rewarding. I know that I definitely changed more during those two years than I ever did during my years in high school or undergrad.

thanks for all the advice and reading recommendations. i am officially an invitee and am leaving for Mongolia in June. Now if there is anyone out there that can give me some insight into this country, I would be uber appreciative.

cheers

I am turning 34 in 2 days, and this post caught my eye...i actually began the application...am i too crazy to do this or too old?

Hi Tommy,
I joined when I was 39 and there were quite a few people in my group that were older and even MUCH older.

Older people tend to have a lot more life experience, patience at solving the problems you will face and usually far more skills in the job they will do.

The PC tries to recruit a good cross-section of the population - and that includes us older folks too.

Consider it an advantage - it is.

quote:

Originally posted by Evelyn Darling:
thanks for all the advice and reading recommendations. i am officially an invitee and am leaving for Mongolia in June. Now if there is anyone out there that can give me some insight into this country, I would be uber appreciative.

cheers

That's great. I bet Mongolia will be a really interesting place. Unfortunately, I don't know much about it that you probably haven't already found.

I am going through the application process and have my interview on Monday. Having been through it, do you have any insights for me?

And by the way, all the other stuff people have posted here has been very interesting and helpful.

Thanks.

I worked for the Peace Corps one summer while I was in college. I was at their Washington, DC office for returned volunteers, and pretty much everyone had nothing but good things to say about the experience.

As others have pointed out, the process is long and the placement itself will certainly be challenging, but all in all it seems like a pretty amazing time.

While I have not yet volunteered due to other commitments right now, it is something I plan to do later in my life.

I am 38 and was PC Africa. Yes, you may be the oldest in your volunteer group, but once in your village, you are alone anyway... and besides, age is quite respected in other countries.

quote:

Originally posted by TommyM:
I am turning 34 in 2 days, and this post caught my eye...i actually began the application...am i too crazy to do this or too old?

quote:

Originally posted by John38:
I am 38 and was PC Africa. Yes, you may be the oldest in your volunteer group, but once in your village, you are alone anyway... and besides, age is quite respected in other countries.

It probably depends on the country in which you are posted. Some training groups are quite large - and people aren't always posted alone. But it is good to be prepared for just about anything.

AND - I agree - age means a lot in many countries. My second year in the PC, I grew a beard - which happened to show up white - and all of a sudden I was greated with "Good morning father" - instead of "Good morning sir" and the projects I was working on with gov't and banking officials started to move a long more quickly.

I was still 40 - but things sure seemed to work more smoothly! I was always quickly seated and offered tea and quite nicely attended to!

Now everything is white (at almost 56) and it does tend to help in Asian countries as well. Immigration seems to defer a bit to the older folks. 55 and up gets prefered seating on Air Asia!

i know that PC says a degree is <i>preferred</i> but how necessary is it?

im 23, no degree and no intentions of ever getting one.

im joining americorps cuz i was put off from PC due to the no degree thing.

should i give it a shot anyways or is it a waste of time for me?

quote:

Originally posted by missxlollyx:
im 23, no degree and no intentions of ever getting one.

Do you feel there is nothing for you to learn? Do you know it all already at 23?

And how do you expect to:

quote:

"Hope for the best,
Prepare for the worst,
And take what comes."

Prepare for the worst without a good education? I'm missing the point here . . .

You will certainly have to "take what comes" as you will have very few options in life without a good education.

Alternatives to the Peace Corps is a valuable resource.

i'd just say, dont quit what you start if u do decide to join.

I agree about "Alternatives to the Peace Corps" being a valuable resource. With all due respect, though, Zopa, I have to STRONGLY disagree with the second part of your statement. While it is true that Peace Corps is a nice thing and that many people have rewarding experiences, it is also VERY important to remember that Peace Corps does NOT have the best interest of the volunteers in mind when it makes decisions. It is an institution and part of the US government. While I might not go so far as to discourage people from joining (despite my own personal experience in Peace Corps) I think it is very important to remind people that it IS, in fact, okay to quit Peace Corps for a few reasons. If you discover that your site is not safe, for example, PLEASE do not think that someone is in an office somewhere with more information than you is looking out for you. There is no man behind the curtain watching out for you.

Also, another thing to consider is that Peace Corps is really NOT for everybody. If you feel useless or like you're wasting your time and you're NOT okay with that, you aren't doing yourself, Peace Corps, your host country, or the locals ANY good by hanging around. Some may disagree, but I imagine that most people who have done Peace Corps (both with good and bad experiences) would agree with that. There are lots of other places to put your good will. There is no need to be a martyr.

That's my $0.02.

I know I'm a bit late with this, but TedKarma, to your response regarding education, you definitely are missing the point. The original poster did not state that she was not interested in education, she said she had no interest in obtaining a degree. I would hope someone your age would understand the many ways of learning (school, work experience, life experience, adversity, etc..) The assumption that a degree automatically means someone is educated/qualified/prepared, and the lack of a degree automatically means someone is not educated/qualified/prepared shows a lack of education on your part. There is more to learn than what is taught in a classroom...