I have a bad habit of assuming that everyone knows about Peace Corps and what it is. However, as I've been going through the application process and explaining to people what I hope to be doing next year, I've come across a number of people who have no idea what I'm talking about.
What is Peace Corps?
Peace Corps is a 27-month volunteer program run by the U.S. government since it began under President John F. Kennedy in 1961. They send volunteers to 77 countries around the world. Those volunteers work in many different capacities including education, business, Health & HIV/AIDS, agriculture, and youth development. Really, there's something for everyone. The application process takes around a year to complete and is quite competitive.
What's it like? Where do you go?
Peace Corps has volunteers in 77 countries world-wide. Most volunteers live in rural communities in 3rd world countries where the work to make improvements in the lives of their community and their assigned country. Volunteers are paid what their in-country counterparts are paid and are expected to live like those around them. Some volunteers don't have electricity and/or running water. Many have to use latrines (shed like things with a hole in the ground) rather than western toilets and walk to a water pump to get what they need. Every experience is different and each volunteer learns to appreciate what they have and learn to live without what they don't.
What are the benefits?
There are different types of benefits and some of them come from what you put in and get out of your service. Having a personal feeling of accomplishment, that you made a difference in the lives of those in your community, that you helped improve your host country, and that you did something to at least try to make the world a little bit better.
Also, Peace Corps is a great career builder. It looks good on a resume and you get 1-year of preference (non-competition) for government jobs that you can use after you complete your service. For those interested, there are also opportunities to do Peace Corps as part of a graduate degree. Volunteers are also provided with a transition allowance of $7,425 at the end of their service.
Peace Corps is a great opportunity for people who want to help others, travel, and build-up their resume all at once. It's the experience of a life time and one that, if I'm am invited to serve, I don't think I can pass up.
