Volunteering for the Peace Corps can be a mixed bag of weird and wonderful experiences and downright unpleasant moments but those who have done it proclaim it to be well worth it. Still the truth is, you just don’t know what you’re going to get and if you don’t like the idea of the unknown and untested joining the Peace Corps probably isn’t going to suit you but what is the Peace Corps?

John F. Kennedy started the Peace Corps in 1951 with the aim of providing assistance to countries in need. If you join the Peace Corps you will be sent to a foreign country and serve its government in a variety of ways – mostly providing some sort of service capacity or other. You might get involved in teaching or providing aid to children who are ill or do urban clean-ups – jobs that many of us wouldn’t regard as particularly glamorous.

You will generally live, work and absorb in its entirety the culture and lifestyle of another country for a total of two years and during that time receive many long-term benefits on a professional and cultural level as well as giving something of yourself to those who are not as fortunate as most Americans.

Volunteers who join the Peace Corps range in age from 18 to 65 and almost anybody can become involved. In fact, there are about seven thousand volunteers in 78 countries around the globe most of whom work in health and educational services or business and environmental fields. Once you join, you will have to spend a three month period in training that takes place in the country you have been sent to.

Getting Started in Joining the Peace Corps

Before you sign on the dotted line, remember that if you do join the Peace Corps you are saying ‘yes’ to two years of living and working in another country – you can’t come back before that time and it’s not a holiday by any stretch of the imagination.

Don’t make a decision until you have done some research and really understand what you are signing up for and what the goals and ethics of the Peace Corps are all about. To find out more you could start by visiting the Peace Corps Web Site. Here you will find all the official information you need as well as getting the gist of what to expect.

Another way to find out more is to get it straight from the horses’ mouth – so talk to others who have been volunteers for the Peace Corps but keep an open mind. There are bound to be some horror stories mixed in with some great tales. Don’t let another person’s personal impressions get you off track of making up your own mind.

What are the Benefits to You in Joining the Peace Crops?

Even though everything you do and see will probably not be perfect or even pleasant – these are nations in need of aid after all – you will have the great satisfaction of actually helping other human beings to improve their lives. For some people this really is enough reward. You’ll also make new friends, become more mature and learn a new culture.

There are also several more practical benefits such as getting your student or other loans deferred, getting help with a resume that looks good and job networking perks. If you join the Peace Corps to get some on-the-job training your experience could really help in getting a good job back in the U.S.

Universities and colleges really do view those with Peace Corps experience favorably and sometimes even offer scholarships or fellowships to ex-Peace Corps members.

As far as money goes you will get a monthly living allowance that (while modest) will help with the basics and maybe some travel. When you leave you will get over $6,000 to help streamline your transition back into America.

How to Apply to Join the Peace Corps

There are four steps in the process of Joining the Peace Corps:

1) Complete an application

Remember there will be some red-tape involved in the application process to join the Peace Corps but this is just to make sure that the right people are chosen for the job. If you have any questions pick up the phone and talk to somebody and try to be patient.

When you fill out the (rather lengthy) application form you will be asked to provide a ‘personal statement’. This involves answering some essay questions about your values and general knowledge of other countries. It is designed to gauge how well you deal with stress and your readiness to fit into another culture and way of life.

Next you will need to give the government three written references: one from an employer, one from a volunteer supervisor and one from a friend. A word of advice – round these up as fast as you can – the application process can take anywhere from three to six months!

2) The interview

Wow, you’ve made it through the application process and now it’s time for ‘the interview’. The Peace Corp office closest to you will ask you to meet with them within a month of getting your application. Depending on who you meet you may be grilled for answers or just have a chat. The best way to handle whatever may come your way is to just be relaxed and natural and as honest as possible.

The way you behave during your interview could determine where you are sent. They will also ask you where you would prefer to go but in the end, if you join the Peace Corps, you really will just be sent where you are needed – and that may not be your preferred choice.

3) A medical check-up

You do need to be physically fit if you join the Peace Corps and step number three involves a medical exam to make sure that you are in good health. If you are found to have any problems you will be asked to get well before you are allowed to go anywhere. This is just common sense. If you do have an illness like asthma for example, you won’t necessarily be rejected you may just be given a placement that has good medical facilities. So don’t worry too much.

4) Waiting to be placed

Now that steps one to three are completed you may be raring to go but you have to wait and this may be the toughest step of the entire process. The whole process can take three to six months, as we said and it’s made worse by the fact that you still have no idea where you are going.

Be patient and don’t have any expectations about your destination – even though you may have been told about openings in certain countries, by the time your name comes up these may no longer be open. Try not to be disappointed if your placement seems less than ideal – merely adapt and find out as much about it as you can – you may be pleasantly surprised!

If you think you, now, understand what the Peace Corps is about and still want to join then we think you should – after all if you can handle the application process you can handle a foreign country! If you do decide to join the Peace Corps go into it with your whole heart and mind and keep both of these open. Thousands join every day and swear it was one of the best experiences they have ever had.

If you think you have what it takes to make a success of this venture – join the Peace Corps and get involved. Oh, yes and at least see some of the sights while you’re at it. Enjoy!