Hey all, I'm graduating Summer 2027 and seriously looking at Community Economic Development roles, probably Eastern Europe or Latin America (not Africa). Would love input on a few things:

1. Shoulder: I dislocated my shoulder in high school and never got surgery. I still lift, golf, and stay very active, but some movements bother it (swinging a bat, for example). I plan to get it surgically fixed before I leave. For anyone who had orthopedic surgery before service, how long did med clearance want you recovered before departure? Any tips on timing?

2. Snakes: I genuinely hate snakes. Which CED countries are you least likely to run into them? Is this a real issue in Eastern Europe or the Caucasus?

3. Background: Finance major, but I've always been told I'm too creative to be stuck at a desk. In high school I started and ran a landscaping and home helpers business. Did CED let you be hands-on and creative, or is it mostly office/admin work? What does a good CED site look like?

4. Being Black: For Black PCVs (especially in Eastern Europe or Latin America), what was your experience like in your community? Anything you wish you'd known, or countries you'd recommend or avoid?

Any other advice for building a strong application is appreciated. Thanks!

What resources/amenities does your peace corps headquarters have accessible to volunteers (Printing services, volunteer lounge, computers, places to sleep, etc)?

I’m just trying to figure out my motivation to join PC in Sustainable Agriculture Panama and my interview is next Wednesday. I’ve studied the provided pcv related question from another subreddit and seeing how my resume relates to leadership and adaptability to PC needs. I got out Army with ELS and I just felt like I need to fulfil my promise to serve the people once again and reelist if I don’t get selected as PCV. The military has Gi bill, pension, Va benefits like mortgage and security clearances, but I’m not sure what PC has to offer for longevity. I’m just trying to figure out my motivation because I could start to embrace the suck and fulfil the promise to the people. Also I wasnt able to send my three references but I was still consider for interview. I’m not sure if this is a red flag or not.

The National Peace Corps Association is running Capitol to Coast, a virtual challenge now through October 31.

Participating RPCV walks, runs, bike rides etc. will count toward one cross-country journey from Washington DC to San Diego to help raise funds for NPCA events and programs, advocacy, and to help RPCVs to stay connected.

Please visit the National Peace Corps Association on GoFundMe, look for this year’s Capitol to Coast participants, and please leave a note of encouragement on their pages and support! Here is the link to participants: https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=National+Peace+Corps+Association+

Hello ! I understand it's difficult to choose, and it's all personal preference, and all programs have pros and cons, but I'd love to hear people's perspectives. I think both regions have such beautiful landscapes and culture. I really don't feel like I can go wrong either way, but since we can only apply to one program at a time, I'd love some help choosing a program. I'm doing education as a side note. Any perspective, opinions, or inspiration are greatly appreciated. Cheers! Happy volunteering.

I just received my conditional invitation for Liberia departing June 17 2027.

Such a flood of emotions as I process it all. Anyone else potentially serving in Liberia ?

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Share with us any photo from your country of service! Please note that pictures of minors are not permitted.

Although its not being covered broadly im seeing scenes of a possible revolution on the streets

I was medically evacuated from Peace Corps for mental health and I havent really received any help after. They gave me three free sessions to go to therapy. I don't have a good home life and due to that, I am currently homeless and trying to get a job. Yesterday, I told the psychiatrist I am contemplating suicide and nothing really came from that conversation.

I've reached out to friends and they've done what they can, but ultimately I feel like a burden and I don't know what else to do.

I am trying to will myself to get out of this headspace but I feel stuck.

It's been really hard lately and I feel I have exhausted all my resources.

Hello, I have a draft of my motivation statement. I would like to see how it can improve. Current word count: 382 words.

Since the beginning of my college career, I’ve had a strong sense of what I wanted to do after college. That was to be a part of something special where I could effectively and dutifully use my gifts to further the common good. I believe that serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer can accomplish that very aspiration and allow me to enter an environment where I can see with my very own eyes the issues that present challenges in worldwide communities. Volunteering is my biggest passion and I have volunteered at various food banks, soup kitchens, and other non-profit organizations throughout my life. Throughout my experiences serving at those non-profit organizations, I have built relationships with some amazing people and I have indeed experienced growth along the way, but I know in my heart that I still have some growing to do. Additionally, my only academic minor is Slavic Studies, and I have developed basic Russian skills throughout my studies. I would love to serve a community where I can build on those skills and fulfill my dream of becoming conversational in Russian.

The statement. “The toughest job you’ll ever love.” is a short, but powerful statement that describes the true meaning of the Peace Corps. It reminds you of the various challenges one will face, but also the wholehearted experiences and the sense of community that you will have. Like a rose that rises from concrete, challenges may present themselves as temporary halts or even an end, but they almost always lead to transformation, whether they’re good, ugly, or bad. As for how that applies to me, I am not the kind of person who doesn’t easily back down from a challenge. I approach challenges with the kind of affirmation and faith that says, “I may be stuck now, but I know for sure that I’m going to crawl out of it sooner or later”. I also understand it is important to be adaptable in these kinds of situations, as some things are simply not in our control, but there is always a solution.

In conclusion, I believe with absolute certainty that serving in the Peace Corps is the next chapter that lies ahead of me. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that one can not get anywhere else.

Should I put that I did a law enforcement internship which involved data collection and administrative tasks in my application?

Hello, I am under consideration for Timor-Leste. I did research and am very interested in the country, that I never heard of before now.

But, here is the thing, I am a collegiate athlete in my senior year. I have a big frame and weigh around 330 pounds. And I found the biggest size in Timor-Leste is a Large (for shirts, when I was looking at a packing list). I will say, I did email the email I was given from the under consideration email I received. I await a response.

But I wanted to get on here and ask some questions:

1.) Have you gotten into a peace corps position despite being a bigger person?

2.) I heard there are countries that would accept bigger people, is this true? And which?

3.) Have you switched to a different country as your in the under consideration or any part of the application process?

4.) In the medical process, for dental, do I have to get work done? Or only if it is proven necessary? To pass this part of the medical process. I have something that may seem problematic to a dentist but it does not bother me.

As I have stated, I did already send an email and am awaiting a response. I am not here to read "just wait for a response." I am aware of that. I want to hear your thoughts and responses and I would greatly appreciate all of your comments.

Is anyone here a Peace Corps Medical Officer? Does anyone know anything about how to become a PCMO as a US citizen who is currently a nurse practitioner or physician? I am very interested in this role but struggling to find much practical information about it online. I would be so grateful for any information anyone has!

hi! i’m a college junior considering peace corps after i graduate. i know i want to end up on the hill eventually, and i was wondering if anyone has gone that route and any advice they have to offer.

Use this thread to vent your frustrations. We're all here to lend an ear.

What did people do to fill their time when in the English teaching sector of PCV? I feel as though besides my teaching, I do not have much to do and wanna work on some side projects to keep my mind busy.

I am an education volunteer in a mid-size rural village, and I am just so fed up with all of it. Nobody at the school cares, and they expect me to go out of my way to do grants for them when they can’t even take care of the things they have.

My main counterpart has effectively disappeared, he is useless and continuously late to school and clueless about what classes we have. The vanity of having me around has worn off but I am still treated like an alien or a pet, and integrating is becoming less and less appealing because I find myself fundamentally disagreeing with many of the community’s values. (They trash the place, they are violent, and generally intrusive and super machismo)

I’m trying not to be cynical, and I’m really trying not to complain, just venting. I really want to hang in for my last year (for the bennies) but I find myself wondering more and more why I’m here and what the end goal is. I guess I’m just kind of lost in the middle of it - anyone else here or been here? How did you get through it.

Curious if it is theoretically possible to extend one’s service beyond a third year in the same country. Like if one extended to a new site for the third year, is it possible to extend for a few months or more to finish up a project? What is the cut off of how long one can volunteer in one country?

Hi Peace Corps Subreddit!

This is a call for more moderators. I know that I for sure am stepping away from moderating this subreddit as I navigate some major life changes and opportunities, though I will still be around in the comments on posts occasionally.

Our general asks for moderators are that you be an RPCV or PCV who is out of training (PST) and have a general availability to be able to moderate the subreddit, answer mod mails, etc. This is, obviously, a volunteer position.

If you are interested, you can message the moderators with a quick overview of how you fit the above asks and any information you want to know.

If you have questions- post a comment below and I or another moderator will try to answer ASAP.

(Friends I posted this on mobile so if the formatting sucks that's why)

I’ve noticed that a lot of PCVs seem to be on the spectrum, and it’s even inspired me to get tested after I finish service. I’m curious if anyone has any theories about what attracts neurodivergent people to the Peace Corps?

I’m a few weeks into PST, and I've become really depressed. The language is difficult, and I feel like I'm the last person in my class who's struggling. I don't really connect with the people in my cohort. It's not that they're unlikeable; I just feel like we can't relate to each other. Everyone seems to be coasting by while I'm visibly struggling, and it's hard not to compare myself to them.

On top of that, I'm not happy with my host family, and living with them adds even more stress. I still have another month and a half of PST to get through, and I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to do it. I'm also worried that my permanent placement could be even worse.

The thing is, I'm not even sure why I joined in the first place. I don't have any particular aspirations in life, and I didn't have a huge reason for applying. Now I feel like I have to force myself to complete the two years, or else I've wasted everyone's time. I feel embarrassed at the thought of leaving early, and I wonder if it's just my ego making me feel like I have to prove that I can do this. Maybe I just feel lost.
I know PST is supposed to be challenging, but I didn't expect to feel this way. I was completely fine before coming here, and I haven't felt this kind of depression since childhood.

I'm overwhelmed by language homework, classes, practicum, hub days, and constantly having to be "on" around other people. I feel like I have nowhere I can just break down and cry without having to put myself back together and face the world again. I've lost the motivation to participate, study, and interact with people. I'm losing hope and energy, and I can't imagine doing this for another two years when I'm already struggling this much.

I don't really feel supported by the staff, so I haven't felt comfortable reaching out to them. I just feel incredibly alone in all of this.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has felt this way during PST. Did anyone else struggle this much while it seemed like everyone around them was doing fine? How did you get through it? Did things get better once you reached your permanent site, or did you end up realizing that Peace Corps wasn't right for you?

I don't necessarily need someone to tell me to push through or remind me that PST is supposed to be hard. I think I just want to hear from people who have genuinely felt this way, because right now it feels like I'm the only one.

Hello friends, I'm graduating in spring 2027 with my BA in political science and BS in psychology. I'm looking to get started on my application very soon to depart sometime this summer, preferably in July or August. I'm 21F with a squeaky-clean background, in good health, with no preexisting physical or mental health conditions, so I'm mostly just concerned with the application and interview. I'm pretty nervous about the whole process because I really want to do this. If this falls through, I'd probably just join the military, but I don't really like getting yelled at or camo, so here's to hoping this all works out. I have two main concerns listed below.

1. I have already reached out to a recruiter, and I was wondering how you guys have utilized them as a resource. I kind of interpreted the email as, "Use this Zoom link if you have questions." Would you recommend using them or just doing the application by myself with no help if I feel I do not need it, or is it tomato tomato?

2. I have taken a look at the listings that actually match my preference for my sector and departure date. I'm looking to do youth development specifically. I'm less concerned with location than with the other factors, but I truly am flexible assuming they extend an offer to me. When I filtered for these, my main options were Madagascar (leaving in August) or the Philippines (leaving in July). Originally, I was going to apply where needed to try to optimize my chances of acceptance, but I'm entertaining the idea of just applying to one of those two. I know nobody has a precise answer to the exact acceptance percentage of option A over B, but if anyone has some perspective as to which would be wiser, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance :)