Peace Corps/Americorps

thedarknight · #1 11-05-2006, 01:50 AM

Saw the Teach for America thread, figured I start one regarding Peace Corps or Americorps.

I'm thinking about going for a drastic change of lifestyle. I feel like I need to get out of my sort of economic bubble and experience a change of perspective. I think Peace Corps or Americorps would be a very good experience in terms of soul searching, seeing new things, etc.

To anyone who's been involved with these organizations what was your experience like? Would you recommend it? I'm leaning to peace corps, since I feel I would get more out of my experience outside the US. However, 2 years of being stationed is a fairly long time. Thanks for everyone's input.

multious · #2 11-05-2006, 03:36 PM

I'm considering doing this also

steel108 · #3 11-05-2006, 05:54 PM

I don't think you have any clue what your getting yourself into. My frind just got back for his stint in Romania. Can you honestly live like a 3rd world country citizen? It is hard as hell to complete your time in the peace corp and you must have a true passion for helping others.

thedarknight · #4 11-05-2006, 07:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think you have any clue what your getting yourself into. My frind just got back for his stint in Romania. Can you honestly live like a 3rd world country citizen? It is hard as hell to complete your time in the peace corp and you must have a true passion for helping others.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes exactly, that's why I posted this thread. Did I claim to be an expert? I wanted to get a better idea. I have ancestry in Asia, and I have visited there many times. I know how poor conditions are like; however, long extended periods of poor conditions maybe something else. After a year of adjustment, another year may not seem that bad.

MyTurn2Raise · #5 11-05-2006, 07:21 PM

I've done neither, but had multiple friends do both

PeaceCorps experiences generally suck for the participants. It is 3rd world nearly all of the time.

AmeriCorps experiences were very good for my friends. The key is good location and you end up being surrounded by like-minded young adults. One of my friends was in Monterrey, California for awhile. I think she got real lucky.

If you want to see the world, but not do the PeaceCorps, do a JETS program or something similar and teach English in foreign schools. I had a few friends live in Japan doing this and they absolutely loved it.

cliff notes

Peace corps sucks
Americorps is very cool, especially with good location
Jets is a good way to see the world

steel108 · #6 11-05-2006, 07:59 PM

When I say 3rd world, there is a chance that you could be stationed in the jungles without fresh running water, sanitation, real bathrooms, etc. You get to list preferences of where you want to stay, but ultimately, they station you where they want. Peace Corp is pretty brutual but rewarding if you complete it. It is insane on a resume.

MyTurn2Raise · #7 11-05-2006, 08:41 PM

yep...I know someone who was stuck in an ugly rain forest in Panama

multious · #8 11-05-2006, 10:25 PM

i lived with 4 people in a hut in India for 3 months without running water or any amenities. Very remote area, were the only white people most of the locals had ever seen. Easily among the best/most rewarding experiences of my life. It was actually an area that was a designated area where no foreigners were allowed to go due to cultural preservation and nearby military training but we were doing important work for a government-backed cultural preservation organization.

thedarknight · #9 11-06-2006, 02:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
i lived with 4 people in a hut in India for 3 months without running water or any amenities. Very remote area, were the only white people most of the locals had ever seen. Easily among the best/most rewarding experiences of my life. It was actually an area that was a designated area where no foreigners were allowed to go due to cultural preservation and nearby military training but we were doing important work for a government-backed cultural preservation organization.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why would you say it was one of the best/most rewarding experience of your life? Did you have adjustment issues without the typical developed economy's amenities? What kind of tasks did you have to do?

thanks for fielding my questions.

Ditch Digger · #10 11-06-2006, 08:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
i lived with 4 people in a hut in India for 3 months without running water or any amenities. Very remote area, were the only white people most of the locals had ever seen. Easily among the best/most rewarding experiences of my life. It was actually an area that was a designated area where no foreigners were allowed to go due to cultural preservation and nearby military training but we were doing important work for a government-backed cultural preservation organization.

[/ QUOTE ]

3 months is whole lot different than 2 years. It takes a special kind of individual to join the peace corps and not see any family or friends for 2 years.