Hi!

I am officially all cleared for service, departing for PST in Mexico in 1 month 😅😅 I’m super excited, but also extremely nervous and anxious (realize this is probably a normal way to feel).

Just wondering if anyone has any pre-departure advice - things you wish you prepared, packed, done before you left, etc ? Any just any tips to prepare mentally?

Any words of advice are appreciated :)

I see a lot of negativity on this feed about PST. So I wanted to share how AMAZING my PST experience has been thus far. Although, I’ve had some hiccups with my host family…the PC staff have been nothing but supportive, comforting, and willing to work on my behalf. Additionally, our local staff is INCREDIBLY effective at their jobs. From PCMOs to LCFs everyone is professional, highly competent, and approachable. Everyone seems genuinely happy to do the work they do, and truly invested in our wellbeing and success. I’m at an African post with a rather difficult language, but have been able to grasp this language quicker than any language I’ve studied in the past, thanks to local staff.

So I share this to say, that not all of what is said on here is a universal experience…including my experience! If you’re an invitee I say go into this with an open mind and eager to get the most out of it! I hope your experience will be as great as mine have been so far.

COS is 3 months away. Here’s some of my 2 cents after 2 years. Some observations for prospective volunteers and current ones.

1. You volunteer to work and live in a developing country. Accept that fate when your site has a local environmental hazard. Dust, burning chemicals, asbestos, Peace Corps knows they are placing you in an area with potential hazards to your long term health. Peace Corps knows your house probably has hazards. Don’t be shocked when your post doesn’t seem to go out of their way to rehome you or give you a new site. That’s the “sacrifice” part of this service. After all, what about the rest of your community that deals with it everyday, for their entire life?

2. Quit telling your s/o overseas that 2 years long distance is no issue. Seen multiple long distance relationships fall apart, sometimes the pcv ET’d over it. All I could think is what a disservice to the organization that expected a volunteer for two years. Before coming, seriously evaluate your relationship. Decide before you get on the plane, not 5 months into service.

That is all, enjoy your day.

I’m getting ready to leave in September and I have a lot of people asking if they can come visit me. I understand the first 6 months and last 3 months are not possible but beyond that what has been your experience with people visiting you on site ?

I submitted everything for legal clearance back in early April so was just wondering how long it took for other people to get back to them. I have a departure date in 2 months

Malawi 2015-2017 RPCV

Hard to believe it's been over 10 years since I left for Africa... I had noticed a chronic cough during the end of my service extending through my return home. I always assumed it was due to me starting daily fires "the local way" (burning plastic bags to ignite charcoal) or just existing in a relatively unhealthy environment, and that it would eventually work itself out and my lungs would return to normal.

Well it's been 9+ years since COS, I've gotten a tonsillectomy during this time (thinking it may help), multiple chest scans, and talked with a few doctors attempting various things to get my breathing back to normal. Currently I cough often, and at times my lungs make wheezing sounds when breathing.

This has all been something I've noticed since my service that I did not have before going. I've been operating with the idea of "well maybe it just takes time to work itself out", but I've recently realized how much time has actually passed and thought it might be worth looking into more seriously.

Has anyone else attempted to claim medically related concerns post-service similar to what I'm describing? Any services/benefits worth exploring?

i applied to the peace corps and was conditionally invited to serve in the dominican republic back back in march. i completed all my medical clearance tasks and i believe im close to being cleared to serve with a departure at the end of august -- but now i find myself unsure if i should end up pursuing it or not. it seems like such a wonderful opportunity that im excited about but the fact im a little unsure makes me question if i will be invested enough to do my job well and be fulfilled. any guidance or wisdom would be appreciated

Well, it's that point in my service. I've got to decide whether or not to extend. I feel accomplished and satisfied with my service thus far, and unsure of if now (COS) is the time to call it quits. I had a sort-of rocky first year, but the second has been extremely fulfilling. I've gotten projects off the ground, found true friendships in my community, discovered my happy spots, and genuinely have grown to love where I'm at. All that said, I'm not interested in extending in my current country of service, primarily because I'd like to experience learning another language and/or working in a different sector.

I've got two leading ideas (external to where I'm currently at) for extending, and think they'd be worthwhile opportunities to purse. But, then again, pressing familial obligations are calling and a salaried job before 30 would be nice. I also miss plenty of things from home, like driving and national parks. And there are other ways to go about learning another language and/or securing further work experience aside from extending.

tldr; I'm at the peak of my service and feel compelled to extend, but also have uncertainty in my (close) personal life. What to do?

Thanks in advance.

I was recently invited to serve as an education volunteer and im wondering how our vacation time works. I know we get two day off a month but how does that work during school breaks? are we expected to work/ not allowed to leave during longer school breaks?

also related: my departure date is end of February, meaning after training ill arrive to my site in may so just in time for summer break lol. Am I expected to just create busy work for myself that summer?

I am a current TEFL volunteer in my second year and looking at transferring to one of these two countries for my third year. I am excited by the opportunity but would really like to know what a volunteer actually does in this position. Especially in Georgia as info seems to be particularly sparse for that country.

I’m very interested in joining the Peace Corp, but returning is definitely my biggest worry. I’m a recent college grad and right now I just feel like my life is lacking purpose and direction that I think I could find through working with peace corps, but an extension of this is that I would want to be able to work in some humanitarian or international development organization either through federal government or some NGO. I’m also interested to possibly work at a national park. I digress though. My bottom line is: was the peace corps a worthwhile investment in your career? I’ve heard so much about how many companies don’t really know what to do with RPVs.

Can I opt out of the mid service dental exam?

Wanted to create a groupchat for those of us leaving for the Dominican Republic in August! Please let me know if one’s already been made and I missed it :)

I may have an opportunity to do a 3rd year extension in PERU, but with how rough my second year has been here (Africa) I'd like to figure out some details from current volunteers to help make the decision.

First off, whats admin like? Are they generally supportive or do they mainly act as a restrictive body trying to "keep the volunteers in check."

How's travel to neighboring countries? Are roadtrips possible or do you have to rely on expensive flights? How restricted is travel around South America for volunteers? For that matter, how restricted is travel within country? Do you have access to all regions and cities?

Within the WASH program, how much direction do you recieve? Are you left to mostly fill your own schedule and find your own projects, or do you show up to site with a work partner and program established? (I know its still Peace Corps so I'll still be expected to find projects and be a self-starter, but Im coming from environment where we're pretty much just dropped in a town and told figure it out).

How large are host families on average? What is the quality of the living space (liklihood of electricity, internet, sealed windows).

Answers to any of that or just general thoughts on the country and program would be greatly appreciated thank you!

I am currently going through medical clearance to depart in January 2026. However, an unexpected life event has happened where I am needed close to home for the next year. Has anyone heard of or had experience deferring their acceptance for a year? Alternatively, tips on what to do? Should I reach out to my contact and explain the situation? I’d hate to give up the opportunity

Last month I applied for a position as an English teacher in Thailand for a cohort leaving in January. A few days ago, I received an email saying that due to my health history (the only thing of note said I take stimulants for ADHD) I was being considered for Mongolia instead.

I assumed that this would be for a cohort leaving in January as well, but this morning I got an email saying that my references were contacted and that I was being considered for a cohort leaving in June 2027, without explanation as to why the departure would be delayed. I assume this is because I was referred as a candidate in July. I didn't mind being reconsidered for a different country, even if the reason was frustrating. But having this experience be delayed until next June is not ideal for me. I could make it work, but January would make a lot more sense.

The email says to let them know within three days if I'd like to be reconsidered for another country. What I'm wondering is if there's any chance I can be reconsidered for a cohort departing in January, or is it too late for that? I'm considering emailing them to ask, but don't want to sound ungrateful. Has anyone had this happen to them?

Hi everyone,

I (28m) graduated with a BA in International Relations. I really enjoyed it, however I graduated in Dec 2021. Study abroad opportunities vanished, my roommate was sent back from Prague in 2020. I remember thinking of grad school and I thought not until I volunteer abroad. Long story short life happened, got a job out of necessity worked in sales at a cybersecurity company. It was fine but not what I wanted to do with rest of my life. I always want the work I do to be where I'm helping people individually or through an organization. I did interview for a couple non-profits but the roles seemed similar to my sales role.

A couple of my friends are nurses and I admire the heck out of them. So three years ago I quit my sales job for a CNA position in the ICU. Since then haven't looked back, have everything I would need for a nursing school application. However, there's still the desire to volunteer abroad and be part of something really special. The Peace Corps was always on my radar during school after speaking speaking with some past volunteers, covid personally shut down that possibility at the time.

I have learned a lot since being in the ICU and seen things that'll be with me forever. Would it be possible to use what I've gained so far in life to apply in the Health sector of the Peace Corps? I understand that my experience is lacking.

Any advice, constructive criticism, or flat out tell me to hit the road. I figured right now this would be great opportunity to give it a shot. Also my parents would appreciate it if I got out of their basement!

Looking for advice from people who have done this or know someone who has.

I like it here, not planning to ET, but I get other job offers occasionally, and at some point it may be better to move on. I wouldn't use NCE in that case, but farther in the future, if I ever applied to the Foreign Service or other government jobs, would the ET on my record be a problem? How useful is the R in RPCV, career-wise?

Hey everyone,
As the title says, I'm 28 with a bachelor's in finance, and I've been having a rough go of it on the job market lately. Rather than just spinning my wheels, I've been seriously thinking about something I've always had in the back of my mind: joining the Peace Corps.

A few things pulling me toward this:
I want to give back. I've been fortunate in a lot of ways, and I'd love to spend meaningful time helping communities that have less access to resources.

I want to travel and immerse myself in new cultures. Not just tourist-style travel, but actually living somewhere and learning how people live day to day.

I'm at a point where a big pivot feels right.The traditional career path hasn't been panning out, and honestly, I think I'd grow more as a person stepping outside my comfort zone.

But I also know this is a massive commitment two-plus years, often in challenging conditions ,so I want to go in with my eyes open.

What I'd love to hear from anyone who's served (or considered serving):
Pros and cons -What were the best parts? What surprised you in a bad way? What do you wish someone had told you before you applied?

Your experience joining-What was the application and placement process like? Did your degree/background factor into where you were placed?

Reacclimatizing back home -This is a big one for me. How hard was it to come back? Did you struggle to transition into a career or reconnect with friends/family? How long did that adjustment take?

Life after the Peace Corps -Did serving make your life better, worse, or just... different?

Did it open doors career-wise, or did you feel like you lost time?
I know everyone's experience is different, and I'm not expecting a single "right" answer

just want honest, firsthand perspectives before I make a decision.
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share. Really appreciate it. 🙏

I'm currently going thru medical clearance for Nepal english teaching departing in January. I'm considering withdrawing and applying to Peru water sanitation program because I think I might integrate better there- I know some conversational spanish (although probably not the Peruvian dialect) and the diet seems more what I'm used to.
I initially felt drawn to Nepal for how different it is from USA. It was also enticing because of the Buddhist/hindu culture & Himalayas & how close it is to other countries like Thailand and Vietnam which I would love to visit, however Peru also has trekking and awesome mountains and a rich culture (also with more community events it seems like ?)
Both programs are departing around the same time.
I know that if I withdraw from Nepal it's not guaranteed I'll get accepted for Peru. Is Peru competitive?
Idk- would love some thoughts from RPCVs. Thanks!

I know I should wait for the know by date cause that’s when results will come back FOR SURE, but seeing people hear back before the date makes me wonder..

I just honestly want to know about other people’s interview —> acceptance timeline to put more perspective on my situation.

Hi! After my cohort was cancelled, I was reassigned a few options. One was in Paraguay as a Community Environmental Promoter. I was originally assigned as an English Teacher, but this environmental role sounds way more up my alley.

However, one of, if not the biggest, personal goals of mine is to improve my Spanish speaking. I know that Guaraní is extremely prevalent in Paraguay, especially in rural areas.

For those who served there, what was the mix of language like? Outside of Asunción is it mostly Guaraní or a mix of both?

I'm sorry I know this post has probably been here a million times, but I've been at site for only 3 months and I'm thinking about ET. It's not that life is unbearable or difficult here I just feel like I could be doing so much more elsewhere, and I'm putting myself through a kind of torture here for no reason. My site is very small with large absence of young people in my community due to the fact everyone goes abroad to college/work in their twenties, so I feel so lonely. Everyone here already has kids and their own things going on and doesn't want to hang out with the young American. I think the novelty of me has worn off to my host family so they've really stopped inviting me places and now treat me like more of a tenant than apart of the family. I really love my work at the elementary school and the kids there but even then I'm an afterthought to the teachers, and the kids all get bussed home to different communities so theres not a lot of chances to do afterschool programming. I just find myself daydreaming on indeed looking at jobs I could be doing where I would feel much more fulfilled. I know I should give this more of a chance and ride out atleast one school year but I just feel the time ticking away.

Did you guys ever have thoughts like this? What were your solutions? Have you gone through with ET? Did you regret staying/ET?