Peace Corps

GmuTeke · #1 10-18-2001, 09:43 AM

Not technically academics, but it's one of those "What do I do after school" things. So i thought i would post.

Has anyone ever served/seriously thinking of serving in the Peace Corps? I'm considering it, as its a cool thing to do, take some time off before grad school and to be a productive member of society. Plus my student loans will be deferred till my tour is over.

Anyone have any good/bad stories to share?

IowaHawkeye · #2 10-18-2001, 12:08 PM

One of my TA's this semester has spent the past 3 years living in Benin, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. She loved it - said it was the most amazing, uplifting, spiritual experience of her life. Things seem less trivial and complicated for her now.

She lived in a town that was something like 40 miles away from a paved road. no running water. she lived in a mud house. grew her own food. Her job was teaching the women of the village about "feminine concerns"

It's an interesting idea.. but i don't know if I have what it takes to do that...

Rudey · #3 11-16-2002, 01:43 AM

I actually applied to the Peace Corps and then withdrew my application.

It's 27 months in a hardship country. The program is pretty competitive and difficult to get into. Generally you apply to the agriculture, teaching, or health programs. Teaching involves English and also business positions if you qualify. The business tracks are pretty hard to land and if you are seriously considering peace corps (specially this late in the game) you will have a long shot at securing one.

The easiest ones to get are those involving some French experience and agriculture. The most difficult involve either business positions or any positions in Latin America.

A lot of my friends have gone into the program and the one I was considering was Economic development in a former Soviet Union country or possibly health education in Africa. I have a strong background in both. After the program, you are given a large advantage over any other non-Peace Corps applicant when applying for a government position as well as $5K (that does get taxed) to help you while you resettle.

The reason I chose not to do it is because certain government agencies were recruiting, and Peace Corps mission conflicts with that of the other agencies and I chose to stop applying. You should consider it, but this is no joke. This isn't some summer camp experience...trust me. This is hard as balls and a lot of people drop out after a couple months and that doesn't look too great on your record if you couldn't handle it.

-Rudey
--Good luck

Kevin · #4 11-16-2002, 01:52 AM

I considered it briefly but was told (I think by a prof) that it would make me look like some liberal-tree-hugging radical activist type person... (which I'm not) so I decided to pursue more.. normal things after I graduate.

SATX*APhi · #5 11-16-2002, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
I considered it briefly but was told (I think by a prof) that it would make me look like some liberal-tree-hugging radical activist type person... (which I'm not) so I decided to pursue more.. normal things after I graduate.

Hmmm, that's definitely an interesting perspective! I'm considering joining, but in no way am I a "liberal-tree-hugging radical activist type person." Hmmm..........

Rudey · #6 11-16-2002, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
I considered it briefly but was told (I think by a prof) that it would make me look like some liberal-tree-hugging radical activist type person... (which I'm not) so I decided to pursue more.. normal things after I graduate.

Your professor is stupid and, beyond all things, ignorant.

-Rudey

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #7 11-16-2002, 08:14 PM

But, Rudey, the professor has a point -- people (granted, ignorant people) DO consider Peace Corps employees to be a little less.... stable?

It's just a sociatal thing that doesn't apply at ALL anymore but may/may not have at some point.

And, the more "normal" Peace Corps employed people the ignorant people meet, the less ignorant they'll be.

I say apply if it's in you. You'd be doing a great service.

That said, if government law enforcement is in your immediate future, maybe not. My dad's government and I know they kind of squint their eyes funny when they see "peace corps" on an application.

Kevin · #8 11-16-2002, 08:36 PM

Red Cross would probably raise a few less eyebrows. My french isn't as good as it was then anyhow... I'd have to take some major refresher classes on it (which I'm in no mood to attempt).

Rudey · #9 11-17-2002, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
But, Rudey, the professor has a point -- people (granted, ignorant people) DO consider Peace Corps employees to be a little less.... stable?

It's just a sociatal thing that doesn't apply at ALL anymore but may/may not have at some point.

And, the more "normal" Peace Corps employed people the ignorant people meet, the less ignorant they'll be.

I say apply if it's in you. You'd be doing a great service.

That said, if government law enforcement is in your immediate future, maybe not. My dad's government and I know they kind of squint their eyes funny when they see "peace corps" on an application.

Hate to tell you this but you're wrong too. The only thing that makes people think twice about you if you're Peace Corps, is that, by law, no intelligence (not law enforcement) agency is allowed to recruit you.

That directive was put forward by JFK to BOTH maintain the safety of Peace Corps members and to accomodate foreign governments. Thus you will be ineligible for the CIA or NSA during their pre-screening if you've done the Corps.

Any other government position you apply for, you actually have a leg up on. The movement you get in the State Department if you've done Peace Corps is actually pretty solid. The same goes for any other non-intelligence based position. This is not a view held by anyone in the past or in the present.

This fact also holds true for grad school programs. Honestly, I can't emphasize how much this helps you. I actually knew a few kids with less than stellar academic performances who are now both in UPenn's Wharton and Harvard Law.

To be selected for the Peace Corps you have to pass a series of tests, including psychological evalutations. The fact that you even mentioned stability is pretty laughable because of that. On an academic level, peace corps positions are pretty difficult to land. Even at any Ivy Plus school, it's still pretty selective. Then the claim that it's for "radicals" just makes no sense. Is that simply because people are doing some good out there? Good, then maybe you should evaluate how much of a radical you are for having philantropy events in your GLO. And "tree huggers"???? Last I checked, this wasn't a pro-environmental group.

The Peace Corps mission centers around taking part in the development and advancement of other countries as well as spreading knowledge (a rather Pro-American view) of Americans throughout the world.

-Rudey
--And the non-foreign version of Peace Corps is AmeriCorps for those interested but I know nothing about that really.

aedea42 · #10 11-17-2002, 11:52 AM

If you decide not to do Peace Corps, I would definitely say you should look into Americorps. You stay in the country and every sixish weeks you travel to a new place. My friend is in this and she has done things like rebuild a camp for mentally disabled adults and when there are national disasters like the fires and hurricanes they help with disaster relief. She has also helped teach illiterate adults how to read. She started in January and is done in November. You get paid a monthly allowance type thing and you are all shacked up together sometimes in not the greatest places, but she said the feeling you get from helping people out is definitely worth it.

Hope this helped!!!

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #11 11-17-2002, 02:18 PM

No, it's cool, because I like being attacked, actually.

I think I was careful to point out that this is the GENERAL PUBLIC'S impression of the Peace Corps. And if you don't agree with that, perhaps it's because of your location -- but here in the south, you're definately looked upon as a tree-hugging fanatic liberal.

Quote:

The only thing that makes people think twice about you if you're Peace Corps, is that, by law, no intelligence (not law enforcement) agency is allowed to recruit you.

And, really, Rudey. If you think everybody follows EVERY SINGLE DIRECTIVE set out about the way you *should* think......

well, I have a bridge I'd love to sell ya.....

THAT SAID. Definately join the Peace Corps if that's where your heart lies, it's a great service to everyone involved (including you!) Ditto for Americorps, Ameriteach, etc.

lionlove · #12 11-17-2002, 03:40 PM

I've always been interested in the Peace Corps and it is something that's been in my head as an option for after college. I met with a Peace Corps recruiter on campus a few weeks ago and he explained alot about it. First of all, it's not as selectie as it sounds. He said that about 40% of all people who submit applications end up going on an assignment. The other 60% either withdraw their application on their own, fail the legal screening, fail the medical screening or aren't qualified. He did say that a qualified candidate with at least a bachelors degree and no medical or legal problems (such as child support) will most likely be accepted.

pinkyphimu · #13 11-17-2002, 10:39 PM

i know several people who have gone to the peace corps. they have all had wonderful experiences that they will never forget. only one person i knew had gotten sick when she was in africa and had to come back! the peace corps not only recruits people from college, but people of all ages. my friend's mom just came back from kenya! it is definately something i have thought about. i even started my application process, but i decided to get my teaching career off the ground in the states first. it is definately not something i will rule out forever. if this is something you truly are drawn to, then check it out! getting info certainly can't hurt.

on a side note...i can't believe anyone would view being in the peace corps as being a tree-hugging liberal....lol. these are some of the things my friends did.....teach english, sustainable agriculture, health clinics, womens education, build libraries, etc., etc. i guess some people really forget about the things that we have that most people don't. i guess i would be a tree-hugging liberal because i am a teacher for children with severe autism and behavior disorders....you know, the kind who belong chained in an institution <said with EXTREME sarcasm>.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #14 11-18-2002, 06:01 PM

I know, and I love knowing people are out there helping. Especially since I know the whole point is a "helping hand not a hand-out" type deal -- they set communities up for success.

I could never do it overseas though -- I'd have to be an Americorps girl!

AlethiaSi · #15 03-18-2008, 12:07 PM

Bumping this because I want to apply for the Peace Corps, wondering if any GCer's have anything else to say about it, experiences, thoughts, etc.

My only concern is some credit card debt that I haven't gotten a handle on yet...I'm afraid they won't take me, I saw what lionlove had posted about taking a pretty high percentage, but still wondering if anyone had thoughts on this as well?