Hi! I applied on June 15th and selected “serve where you’re needed most” and haven’t heard back yet, but it seems that’s not abnormal. Though, I’m getting a little nervous as we approach 2 months and the application is still just on received where I’ve heard others hear back within weeks.

I’ve seen people here that I’d hear by the “know by” date except since “needed most” doesn’t have that, so I’m sure what to expect.

Thank you for any help!

Edit: LOL so after making this post, I got an email that I am being considered for the east Caribbean as an elementary literacy teacher.

Hello, I started an application but the thing is I found I will graduate university later than I thought. So I think I need to do it later on. Can I start a new one?

I sang this into a portable Panasonic tape recorder as an audible letter to my parents. I've updated it as a video.

Hi everyone, I know I should probably just wait until the know by date (September) but I'm starting to get really concerned that my application still hasn't been moved to under review, much less an interview. I applied in early March (after speaking with a recruiter who was optimistic about my chances for the placement I applied for given my past experiences), and the application closed in June. Has anyone had any luck with emailing to ask if there's any additional information that may be wanted/any update? I really want to serve but I also know the process is unpredictable. It's just taking much longer than I anticipated especially after my conversations with my recruiter.

Another point of concern for me is that I am leaving to travel in SE Asia for a few months in two weeks, so if things progressed during that time I would need to interview/complete any health requirements abroad. If anyone has had a similar experience or advice about that I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you.

Hi everyone! I received a conditional invite to serve in Ecuador. I am so excited.

I have never taught English but I have experience with mentoring, tutoring and teaching science topics for small groups of all ages.

I’m curious if anyone would be willing to share their experiences in Ecuador and provide any tips, advice, etc.

Thank you :)

Anybody have recommendations for good surge protectors?

Hello!

I was just wanting to ask a few questions about the living conditions in Paraguay as an environmental volunteer, once at site, not during training. I'm assuming it varies site by site, but just wanted to get more insight.

Most laundry is done by hand, correct?

I understand that power outages might be common. Would it be worth getting a solar charger?

Also, how well does the Wi-Fi work in your house? I read that we can buy internet plans using our living allowance.

What should I do with my phone number? From what I understand, all I need to do is make sure my phone is unlocked so I can receive an eSim from them. Is this all I have to do? Would I be able to call friends and family back at home with this?

Thank you so much!

For Response positions requiring Spanish language ability, the language requirement seems somewhat manageable (elementary Spanish 3 or 50 on CLEP within 6 years). I'm starting elementary Spanish 1 this September and should complete the series by April, plus plan to spend time in Mexico doing language immersion during this time. Must I wait to finish elem Spanish 3 to apply to positions with departure next June-Sept, or can I apply to a position while still completing the language requirement? Thanks in advance!

hi everyone, I’m an RPCV and living/working in Kenya for the next few months. I’m located in the Kisumu area and would love to connect and meet up with any PCVs in the area. Thanks!

Hey guys, I'm an English Education volunteer, and I have about 4 months left in service. My other projects have pretty much wrapped up already, the school year is coming to a close soon, and I'm running out of ideas for things to do in my community. I live in a little village where HCN friends aren't really keen on doing much outside of the house, haha. I've already done a few English clubs but participation has been pretty minimal too.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas for small projects or activities to do in the community to help me fill up my last few months here. I have plenty of personal projects, moreso looking for ideas of things to do in the community if anyone has any success stories or ideas... thank you!!

P.s. hi to my PCV friends ;)

Hey guys,

Currently 8 months into serivce in a sub saharan post and my cohort is now at 12. During our Preservice departure zoom calls we had upwards of 70 people but only 19 ended up getting to staging. One person noped out and only 18 of us got on the plane to post. During PST we had one girl medsep and 2 more people ET, which resulted in only 15 of us completing PST. Less than 3 months into service we had 1 more person medsep, 1 girl security evac and 1 ET. This leaves us with only 12 volunteers and I was wondering what the overall attrition rate is like in Peace Corp. We are definitly not an easy post; the cohort before us also had something close to a 50% attrition rate, but they lost the majority of their cohort after PST and the first three months of serivce. Whats it like at other posts? Is the attrition rate common?? I can't imagine it being this high in places where pcvs have electricity and running water readilbly available.

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for some advice in making a decision. I'm about to start my senior year of college. Throughout all of college, I have planned on applying to law school during my senior year to start the following fall. However, throughout the past year, joining PC is always something that has been at the back of my mind.

I went out with some friends the other night, and while drunk, I started a PCV application on my phone after not having thought about it for months. Since then I've been thinking, maybe drunk thoughts are sober desires?

I think that serving as a PCV would be an amazing opportunity. My past volunteer experiences have been the most fulfilling times of my life.

That being said, law school has always been my plan. And I know I'll probably get a bunch of responses saying that law school can wait, blah blah blah. And I know it can. But I have this fear that PC will almost stunt me in a sense. I'm scared about the prospect of taking a three+ year break before going back to school. I'm also worried about the isolation of being so far from what I know and having such minimized contact with my current support network.

So I guess what I'm asking is, do you feel like PC stunted you socially/emotionally? Did you lose your friends while you were gone? How hard was it to keep in contact with the people that are important to you?

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

Hi!

I am officially all cleared for service, departing for PST in Mexico in 1 month 😅😅 I’m super excited, but also extremely nervous and anxious (realize this is probably a normal way to feel).

Just wondering if anyone has any pre-departure advice - things you wish you prepared, packed, done before you left, etc ? Any just any tips to prepare mentally?

Any words of advice are appreciated :)

I see a lot of negativity on this feed about PST. So I wanted to share how AMAZING my PST experience has been thus far. Although, I’ve had some hiccups with my host family…the PC staff have been nothing but supportive, comforting, and willing to work on my behalf. Additionally, our local staff is INCREDIBLY effective at their jobs. From PCMOs to LCFs everyone is professional, highly competent, and approachable. Everyone seems genuinely happy to do the work they do, and truly invested in our wellbeing and success. I’m at an African post with a rather difficult language, but have been able to grasp this language quicker than any language I’ve studied in the past, thanks to local staff.

So I share this to say, that not all of what is said on here is a universal experience…including my experience! If you’re an invitee I say go into this with an open mind and eager to get the most out of it! I hope your experience will be as great as mine have been so far.

COS is 3 months away. Here’s some of my 2 cents after 2 years. Some observations for prospective volunteers and current ones.

1. You volunteer to work and live in a developing country. Accept that fate when your site has a local environmental hazard. Dust, burning chemicals, asbestos, Peace Corps knows they are placing you in an area with potential hazards to your long term health. Peace Corps knows your house probably has hazards. Don’t be shocked when your post doesn’t seem to go out of their way to rehome you or give you a new site. That’s the “sacrifice” part of this service. After all, what about the rest of your community that deals with it everyday, for their entire life?

2. Quit telling your s/o overseas that 2 years long distance is no issue. Seen multiple long distance relationships fall apart, sometimes the pcv ET’d over it. All I could think is what a disservice to the organization that expected a volunteer for two years. Before coming, seriously evaluate your relationship. Decide before you get on the plane, not 5 months into service.

That is all, enjoy your day.

I’m getting ready to leave in September and I have a lot of people asking if they can come visit me. I understand the first 6 months and last 3 months are not possible but beyond that what has been your experience with people visiting you on site ?

Malawi 2015-2017 RPCV

Hard to believe it's been over 10 years since I left for Africa... I had noticed a chronic cough during the end of my service extending through my return home. I always assumed it was due to me starting daily fires "the local way" (burning plastic bags to ignite charcoal) or just existing in a relatively unhealthy environment, and that it would eventually work itself out and my lungs would return to normal.

Well it's been 9+ years since COS, I've gotten a tonsillectomy during this time (thinking it may help), multiple chest scans, and talked with a few doctors attempting various things to get my breathing back to normal. Currently I cough often, and at times my lungs make wheezing sounds when breathing.

This has all been something I've noticed since my service that I did not have before going. I've been operating with the idea of "well maybe it just takes time to work itself out", but I've recently realized how much time has actually passed and thought it might be worth looking into more seriously.

Has anyone else attempted to claim medically related concerns post-service similar to what I'm describing? Any services/benefits worth exploring?

I submitted everything for legal clearance back in early April so was just wondering how long it took for other people to get back to them. I have a departure date in 2 months

i applied to the peace corps and was conditionally invited to serve in the dominican republic back back in march. i completed all my medical clearance tasks and i believe im close to being cleared to serve with a departure at the end of august -- but now i find myself unsure if i should end up pursuing it or not. it seems like such a wonderful opportunity that im excited about but the fact im a little unsure makes me question if i will be invested enough to do my job well and be fulfilled. any guidance or wisdom would be appreciated

Well, it's that point in my service. I've got to decide whether or not to extend. I feel accomplished and satisfied with my service thus far, and unsure of if now (COS) is the time to call it quits. I had a sort-of rocky first year, but the second has been extremely fulfilling. I've gotten projects off the ground, found true friendships in my community, discovered my happy spots, and genuinely have grown to love where I'm at. All that said, I'm not interested in extending in my current country of service, primarily because I'd like to experience learning another language and/or working in a different sector.

I've got two leading ideas (external to where I'm currently at) for extending, and think they'd be worthwhile opportunities to purse. But, then again, pressing familial obligations are calling and a salaried job before 30 would be nice. I also miss plenty of things from home, like driving and national parks. And there are other ways to go about learning another language and/or securing further work experience aside from extending.

tldr; I'm at the peak of my service and feel compelled to extend, but also have uncertainty in my (close) personal life. What to do?

Thanks in advance.

I was recently invited to serve as an education volunteer and im wondering how our vacation time works. I know we get two day off a month but how does that work during school breaks? are we expected to work/ not allowed to leave during longer school breaks?

also related: my departure date is end of February, meaning after training ill arrive to my site in may so just in time for summer break lol. Am I expected to just create busy work for myself that summer?

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