should i join the peace corps?
345683
I am such a sucker for cat ears, I had to answer this.  Yes it WILL change your life, you will work hard, you will appreciate EVERYTHING when you return and have new regard for life and the lives of others.  You will become a full fledged cat...er.. I mean Woman with a capital W.  Serving others is one of the most selfless deeds you could perform. On the other hand laying around the house, living off Mom and Dad and eating snacks while becoming addicted to Yahoo is another option that ain't bad!
425341
I was a Peace Corps volunteer about 15 years ago and taught English in a high school in Eastern Europe.  I left right after college and it was a great experience for me.  It was challenging learning the language, missing family and friends,adjusting to the winters(wimpy Californian) etc. \n\n  The biggest thing is that you learn a lot about yourself and there are lots of frustratiing times but lots of incredible experiences --  most of volunteers that I've talked to said they'd do it again.  I did hear some bitching from people who didn't want to join the Peace Corps because they didn't want to "work for the government" but I really think it's a positive thing you can do to represent the U.S. --  and you get to live in a different country, experience another culture, learn a language, and help with some great projects.  Enough said --  Go for it!
324936
ya i would join!!\nwhere do u live???\n\n*PEACE*
121576
the peace corps. don't pay as much and mabey they don't have a rich momy and dady to pay there bills
825663
Call your local Peace Corps recruiter and ask. Learn to put that "s" on the end, too.\n\nWhen I was a volunteer, 35 years ago, if someone in your family died or had a life-threatening accident/disease, they flew you home for 5 days, then back. It had to be serious - not just for Aunt Matilda's birthday. You'll be leaving your school, clinic or engineering department in the lurch.\n\nIf it doesn't work out they fly you home too, for free. The only restriction is you can't lolly-gag around. (If you do the full two years, you can take as long as you like to go home. Many of my fellow volunteers went around the world on their way home from Malaysia.)\n\nThe recruitment process is more than a job interview. They want to make sure you fit, and will stay. They try for stable people with  reasonable expectations. You should be able to make an informed guess about the job before you leave the USA.\n\nThey don't always pick perfectly. 25% of my group left during training.\n\nThese two policies may have changed slightly in the years, which is why I advised you to call a recruiter. There is a Peace Corps office in most major cities, and the national site has an 800 number.
1083691
It's called Peace Corps.   peacecorps.gov
715659
How about volunteering with something like Doctors without borders - or the Peace Corp.  lots of change, adventure, shouldn't cost you too much and you would be doing something great.\n\nOr - get a cottage on the coast somewhere and write a great novel about your life in Scotland, or Austrailia!  I'd love to read it.
384890
I would absolutely recommend the Disney College Program.  I particpated in the program during the Fall of 1997. It was without a doubt the most incredible, wodnerful experience of my life.  You will meet so many great people.  I know I sure did...I met my wife there.  She worked for the Norway Pavillion at Epcot and our apartments were across the hall from each other.  \n\nIf you do go, please, be sure to be VERY open minded about the people you will meet and the work that you may be asked to do.
498737
Yea.. There are good NGO's in India, as well as other places, where you can work. Alternatively, you can join unesco and other organisation. And most important, its a good carrer to help out the society. That's real nice and satisfactory thing.
1151630
It's a good plan. With one slight change, it could be a great one. Doctors are much more useful than missionaries. Besides, it's easier to save someone's soul while they're alive. Check out Doctors without Borders, or the Red cross- they'd be happy to have a hand. \nBasically, the rules for missionaries are the same as those for anyone who travels. Find as much information on an area as possible before you go. If you can learn the language, it's definitely worth it. Also, every culture has small things that are incredibly insulting, that aren't here. When I was in Samoa, showing someone the soles of your feet is fighting words. Who knew? Things like that are important to check out. \nIf you personally have any dietary restrictions, make sure you'll have a food supply that you can control. Things you wouldn't expect can get to you. Many people in my group got sick from the deep-fryed food because it was cooked in animal fat instead of vegetable fat and their systems weren't used to it. \nRemember also, that all of the ugliness that you see at home, still exists in other places too. Even though you're coming with love in your heart and good intentions, don't be surprised if people reject or mistrust you. That can be disappointing at first. Trust has to be earned; that's true everywhere you go. Racism exists too, and some of it will be geared at you. It's unsettling if you've never had to deal with it before. The good news is that all of the beauty that you find at home exists all over the world too. The warmth of sharing a meal with new friends; the occasional random kindess of a stranger; the suprising familiarity when you run into someone from back home (even if you didn't know them before); these are things that memories are built of. \nWrite everything down, so you don't forget, and take pictures whenever you can (and when it's appropriate). Learn everything you can about everything while you're there, and share whatever you know freely, but not forcefully. \nGood luck to you, and God Bless your heart.
1127297
Do you belong to a church?  Many churches have youth groups that get involved in humanitarian work.  Since you are so young, you should talk to your parents as well since you will probably need their permission to participate in any efforts.
86827
Contact "doctors without borders."  They should be willing to help you decide a place that you will feel comfortable working in.
91898
Yep -- even extended to 3-1/2 years (the normal tour lasts two).  It was a lot of hard work but the most rewarding experience I ever had (and even married a man I met while serving!).\n\nTo join the Peace Corps you must have a college degree or an equivalent amount of experience.  It also helps if you have volunteered before.  You may not serve if you have children unless someone else has taken legal guardianship of them.  You may serve as a couple but both of you must go through the application process individually.\n\nThe greatest thing about PC is how it opens your eyes to the world and really helps you learn what is really important in life.  You may feel like you are not accomplishing much (and getting more out of it than you give) but I promise you, if you put a lot into it you will get ten times more out.  It is not a vacation, not a place to "drop out" to in between college and the "real world" of work (that's Americna real world -- the "real world" of most of the world is more like where you will serve).  I urge you to consider it in a professional manner, but live your life fully while there as it is a 24 hour job (in other words, really make an effort to become friends with the locals).\n\nYour best bet is to get in touch with the Peace Corps recruiting office in your region and also a returned Peace Corps Volunteer group in your area ("returned" becasue we are not "ex-" -- once a PCV always a PCV!).  The RPCV group or the recruiting office can arrange for you to meet some RPCVs in person, see their photos, hear their stories, etc.\n\nPeace Corps really is "THE TOUGHEST JOB YOU'LL EVER LOVE!"  (By the way, I left the world of NYC film production to join for what I thought was 2 years -- that was 16 years ago and I have continued to work in international development ever since -- and currently live in Africa!)\n\nGood luck! (see below for websites or do a search on the internet -- there are a lot of sites managed by RPCV groups or current PCVs!)
670458
join the marines if you want to, nothing bad about that. realize, you will be put into harms way and at times it will suck, but at times it was worth it.
1055126
The Peace Corps does not station volunteers in countries or areas that are unsafe.  In all honesty, most of the volunteers are safer than people living in America!  \n\nIn Tanzania, until recently they restricted people from even travelling near the Western border, despite the fact that it was a good tourist area.  This was due to the Rwandan refugees coming from the distance.  \n\nDo not worry about safety.  In the case of anything unsafe, they will evacuate all volunteers.  Part of the training includes redundant training in where the safe house in each region is, and how to go from there to the evacuation point.  \n\nIf you truly have worries, ask the Peace Corps organization itself.  Some volunteers thought they were actually *too* careful -- remember, this is an organization that only accepts US citizens, who have made an art of suing if anything goes wrong.
372796
I would be interested in finding out more about your NGO and the possibility of volunteering.  I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer from Tanzania, and I am familiar with the country especially central zone.  More information?
834803
no man!!!, even better you get to know a whole new culture and maybe the possibility of traveling to that place.\nI say Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!