My friend recently sent a co-worker to me who is interested in joining PC. I thought some of you from home might use this for a friend who is interested too or just because you might find it interesting:
1) Do you get to choose your assignment? Location? What is the interview process like?
You get to "pref" where you want to go but I don't recommend writing it. When you go in for your interview be ready to convince them why a certain part of the world is best suited for your expertise. Interview is easy...just like talking to a friend.
2) How has your experience been so far? What kind of projects have you worked on or have known others to work on? On these projects, are you working by yourself or are there other Peace Corps volunteers there as well? How long are the projects? How much time are you working on your project per day? What do you do on the weekends?
I describe this as a roller coaster. It has lots of ups and lots of downs but in the end I am glad I have made it and gone through with it. I could not have gone my life wondering what if.... I have worked on everything! From small business to sanitation to kids art to women's groups...the great thing about this is the flexibility. You can really do whatever you want and NO ONE is looking over your shoulder. I work when I want for however long I want. Every project is different. Weekends like the last one and this coming one were straight work but sometimes weekends like the one in 2 weeks is going to be a 6 day weekend with friends...it just depends...all flexible. In my country (el salvador) there is a lot of volunteer support. We often collaborate because we are in such a small place and its easy to get to each other.
3) I notice that a lot of people who are part of the Peace Corps have an online journal that documents their experience - is this required or just a coincidence? Are you required to send monthly reports on the process of your project/status or a report at the end of the project?
I do it because I like to keep track and share with my family. It IS a PC goal to share with home but by no means required. We do quarterly reports to our bosses about the projects we have done.
4 Do you receive a monthly salary/cost of living adjustment? The amount you get, does it last the whole month/pay period?
Every country gets a different amount depending on cost of living. I will say this. I make more than enough if I am a "site rat" and rarely leave my site. I usually go over budget if I have a month of travelling and seeing other volunteers...but that's when a bit of saving from another month or money in your US account comes in handy.
5) Are there break periods? How long? Is transportation paid for? Do you have health care during your time with the Peace Corps? Does the Peace Corps provide that?
You get two vacation days a month that can build up to use whenever. You can be out of site for 2 days without taking vacation.
6) What is your living environment there?
I live in a decent house BUT everywhere is totally different including among PCVs here so I won't go into that..
7) What are your plans after the Peace Corps? What about your Peace Corps peers? Does the Peace Corps help you find a job?
Umm..I will return to my old life working at the Capital in Austin at least for a bit. I plan on grad school and probably living abroad a bit more... Most people go back to school after bc there are a lot of programs that PC has reduced tuition through for RPCVs. We also are eligible for one year non-compete government jobs...not sure how many people actually do that though. Lots of people end up extending their service for another year.
8) This is more of a personal question, how has the Peace Corps changed you during your service? This may sound trite, but the life lessons you learned, how will the affect your life back in the US?
Umm..I have learned to be a lot more self-sufficient and a lot less wasteful. It is a very eye-opening experience. It's not really describable in this email...please feel free Lto read my blog. It is very interesting to read posts from the beginning and see how I have changed.
Comments