Long-winded and wordy, but looking for advice from all of you PC experts!

[_effervescent]

Oh look, another one of these "I'm interested in the Peace Corps!!" posts. Hopefully you guys aren't sick of seeing these and probably repeating the same answers over and over and over again to tons of people

Comments

[wordchick]

I cannot speak to most of your concerns, but I want to reassure you that the point of the Peace Corps is not suffering and being uncomfortable. Your service is supposed to be about giving to others, in blistering heat and freezing cold, but also in temperate climates with enough to eat. I was in Eastern Europe, and I had hot running water, a thermostat that I controlled, an AC unit (which most host country natives did not even have), and for my last 4 months, Internet in my apartment. I also made genuine connections with people, taught them a little about the US, and founded a resource center. Sure it was the Posh Corps, but my service was valuable too.

In short: yes. You should apply because you know you really want to and you feel passionate about it.

[_effervescent]

Thank you for your response! I guess I know that there are about a million different types of PC experiences and that I probably should not expect "suffering and being uncomfortable," and especially not at the stage I'm in as a potential applicant.

Also: "Posh Corps." That made me giggle. :)

[clawsoftiamat]

And just to second this -- I lived downtown in a city of 13 million in China, had hot water, a heater and air conditioner (which most residents decidedly DID have), internet that was significantly BETTER than what I have here in rural Michigan, a big screen TV and even an Xbox. And a cellphone which I could not get my students to stop calling at 3 a.m. THAT was Posh Corps. I honestly had a great time, not because of the amenities, but because my students were the absolute best.

[sunsetscreamer]

i think you should apply now... remember that they have NGO/organizational development volunteers so your experiences could be very applicable... or you could wind up doing something random you would never have thought of doing...

but please do not put in your application that something "overwhelmingly uncomfortable... would make you seriously consider leaving or thinking you had chosen your study abroad site poorly." That's pretty much the only thing that would get PC to not accept someone as a volunteer. The correct answer during a pc app or interview is "Oh, no, I would never ever consider ETing in a million years" even if you are planning on quitting. I know that's not what you meant. What you probably meant was that you didn't have much experience living in a super de duper underdeveloped area of a developing country. But the way you said it made it sound funny.

[_effervescent]

Thank you! And looking back at that statement, I definitely wouldn't want to imply that I'd consider ETing, so thanks for the heads up! I think I just meant to state that while I had some experiences abroad that made me feel uncomfortable at the time, many of them were situations could really happen to anyone anywhere in the world, and that I learned how to cope with situations that I didn't previously think I'd be able to handle. I guess what I should have said/implied was that I took those uncomfortable situations and tried to make learning experiences out of them rather than something to run away from.

Aaand sorry for the continued rambling here, haha... sometimes I just don't know when to stop D:

[chordoflife]

I second this..Apply now.

[kalayo]

Your background sounds similar to mine, and while I'm sure things have changed in the ten years since I applied to PC, I agree with the other commenters that you should apply if you're ready to. I also second the comment that PC isn't about extreme physical discomfort - I had a comfortable studio-apartment type living arrangement with running water, electricity and an internet cafe a block away, which I think is still pretty standard for volunteers where I served (Southeast Asia).
I think it's worthwhile to remember that the PC recruitment process isn't all about bringing in people with years of practical experience, and that there's nothing wrong with being a recent graduate if you have the dedication and adaptability to make the most of your training and work hard at your site. Best of luck!

[west_nile_virus]

You may have trouble getting a letter of recommendation from a volunteer supervisor if you never had any opportunity to build up a relationship with one, but the PC can accept a substitution from a professor. Also, if you are fixated on certain programs, you'll need to satisfy certain requirements. For example, if you want to do agriculture and forestry extension, then they want 3-6 months of experience with plants.

So, it is something to consider, your volunteer and practical experience will usually affect your ultimate placement (nothing is certain, Spanish-speakers can and do get assigned to Africa, for instance), but a little lack thereof won't usually bar you, unless you are severely wanting, and from what you have said here, you are most certainly not.

[lemon__lies]

I know that I was really grateful for the year of teaching experience I got under my belt before coming. But then again... I was a special education teacher and I have yet to find a use for any of these skills in my site.
The most important aspect of service, in my opinion, is the desire to do good and to try your best to work past frustrating aspects of Peace Corps. Whether you are dealing with country specific frustrations, other volunteers, co workers, or Peace Corps problems... the desire to keep working hard has shown to be a great indicator of success during my service.
I know volunteers who have very little work/volunteer experience and they are just rockin it in their sites because they go out there every day and keep trying. I know others with decades of work experience who aren't the best volunteers to say the least.
(for reference.. I"m a YD PCV in Morocco)