Comments on: 5 Things You Should Know Before Joining the Peace Corps

By: Bill Graham

Bill Graham — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:23:07 +0000

Good summary of the PC experience. During my two years in Sierra Leone (’62-64) I had no problems adjusting, getting along, doing my job and the rest. Joanna’s point 5 was the sticker though:

When you return “People will ask you about your service, but two years are not easily summarized in two sentences, and people don’t have the time to hear more than two sentences.”

Did I ever discover that fast. Keep your replies to well intentioned family or friends down to one sentence: “I learned a lot”. If they want to draw you out, fine, but don’t push it. Their eyes glaze over two words into the third sentence!

(Report comment)

By: Alaina O'Brien

Alaina O'Brien — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:21:21 +0000

What an honest article. Very helpful, pointing out important points I had never before considered.

(Report comment)

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:34:39 +0000

Hi Matthew ~

What a great question! It’s funny you should ask this, because, in my experience, the things I never would have anticipated the things I would have wanted the most. Peace Corps volunteers go through 8-12 weeks of training before being placed at their sites. In those couple months, there wasn’t much that I needed or wanted because I had a lot of support through the training staff and my homestay family.

Once we were placed at our sites, however, I discovered that what I craved were certain food-related items. I’m sure this is a country-specific issue, so I’m not sure exactly how to advise you based on the fact that I served in West Africa whereas your friend is going to Eastern Europe, but I could not get enough of spices. What I loved more than anything from friends and family in care packages were seasonings and spices and – this might sounds strange – those packets of cheese from macaroni and cheese packages. I could buy noodles, but having that cheese flavor to add to it made all the difference. Like I said, this might be a country-specific thing, but this may be something you’d like to consider giving your friend as spice packets are small and she may not realize yet how much she’ll appreciate them.

I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide to do.

Cheers,
JoAnna

(Report comment)

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:03:33 +0000

I had a question, I have a friend leaving for the Ukraine in a few days and wondered what I could get her for her trip. I know it is off topic, but I wanted to get her something to help support her on her trip. She mentioned that she has very limited space to pack things. So is there one thing that you wish you had when you arrived in your new country? Thanks!

(Report comment)

By: MiVozBlog

MiVozBlog — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:19:18 +0000

Thanks JoAnna. I’ll keep you posted.

(Report comment)

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:57:49 +0000

Congrats on your nomination!

There’s no way to truly prep for your service, but going in with an open mind is key. Have fun!

(Report comment)

By: MiVozBlog

MiVozBlog — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:50:50 +0000

Amazing. Loved this post. I am actually a PC nominee so I am still going thru the process (it’s been a year already) and like you said…it takes time. I don’t think PC was kidding when they said, “we need two things from you: patience and flexibility” and boy they’re right.

I am actually very excited and if I was offered to depart next week, it’d be a dream come true. But, people also have to keep in mind that those that want to volunteer cannot just ‘want to help’. PC needs people that want to do more than that and that can endure what it truly means to live like those you serve… to me the living conditions is not a concern for me; I was born and raised in a developing country…but I am sure there’s more I need to be prepared for…

(Report comment)

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:52:36 +0000

Hey Scott,

I would suggest you talk to your regional recruiter. You can find out who that person would be here: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=meet.regrec. This is the person who would help you through the entire application process, and part of a recruiter’s job is to available to answer potential volunteers’ questions. Try emailing your local recruiter, or find a local Peace Corps event where you’ll be able to meet with the recruiter face-to-face to talk about your situation.

Cheers,
JoAnna

(Report comment)

By: craig | travelvice.com

craig | travelvice.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:14:19 +0000

I still have no idea how it is that people are joining this organization — must be the tag line. Most every Peace Corps person I met in Eastern Europe was miserable, and being treated like children.

More here:
http://travelogue.travelvice.com/romania/peace-corps-people/

(Report comment)

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:33:34 +0000

Well, the problem is that I have numerous tattoos, mostly on my two arms and on my neck. Nothing profane or vulgar, just ideas and beliefs that I’ve found to define me and have expressed so through the art of tattoos. Whether or not they’d be considered to be unacceptable would depend upon the Peace Corps and the location where I’d be sent.

I’d hate to think that I would, as a human being who yearns to help others in the world, be denied the opportunity to volunteer, based solely upon my skin art. Is there someone I could talk to within the Peace Corps to help me gauge my situation?

Thank you so much for your patience and help!

(Report comment)