Anyone ever volunteer for the Peace Corps?

[Zanix]

I'm interested in applying.

I think now is a good time to do it. I'm about to graduate college, I have no serious gf or wife, I have no morgage to pay and I can get my collage loans defered.

From what I've read, it sounds a bit dangerous. I was hoping someone here had some experience with them and could clear this up.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

know someone that did it in fiji.

 

[nakedfrog]

Talk to HappyPuppy.

 

[BornStar]

One of my friends is in Jamaica. She really seems to enjoy it although it's quite obviously not the safest thing to do.

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Talk to HappyPuppy.

No kidding? I had no idea he was in it.

 

[Journer]

i know someone who volunteered and when to khasikstan (or however it was spelled)...but i dont know anything about PC...


no...this is not a joke...and yes...it was years before borat came out

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: BornStar18
One of my friends is in Jamaica. She really seems to enjoy it although it's quite obviously not the safest thing to do.

Has she had any trouble? I mean, robberies or assults or anything?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Talk to HappyPuppy.

No kidding? I had no idea he was in it.

IIRC, him and his wife ended up in the Dominican Republic. To hear him tell it, it was quite an experience, but not without it's downsides. Of course, this also would have been some time ago, but not sure how long.

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: BornStar18
One of my friends is in Jamaica. She really seems to enjoy it although it's quite obviously not the safest thing to do.

Has she had any trouble? I mean, robberies or assults or anything?

I know for sure she had her digital camera stolen from her room. People told her not to leave anything within arms reach of the window but she wasn't paying attention and left it sitting on the table by the window. I believe it was even a second story window. No assaults or anything worse than theft that I'm aware of but she never goes anywhere alone.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: BornStar18
One of my friends is in Jamaica. She really seems to enjoy it although it's quite obviously not the safest thing to do.

Has she had any trouble? I mean, robberies or assults or anything?

Jamica is an interesting place.

You can defiantly tell there are two classes for the citizens.

upper class and poverty stricken class. When I Was there it was about 15% = Upper, 95% = Poverty struck....from what I recall in Jamaica they have only had 1-2 gun shootings. That may have been made up though...I forgot where I heard it.

 

[zinfamous]

My cousin and her husband have been in Togo for just over 1 1/2 years now. It's wearing on her pretty quickly, though. They really enjoyed it at first, but a lot of the issues that come up are making it tough.

EDIT: they have a website where they blog (from time to time) and share pics, receive questions, whatever. perhaps it will be a good source for research?

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
My cousin and her husband have been in Togo for just over 1 1/2 years now. It's wearing on her pretty quickly, though. They really enjoyed it at first, but a lot of the issues that come up are making it tough.

Like what? Disentary? Bombings?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: zinfamous
My cousin and her husband have been in Togo for just over 1 1/2 years now. It's wearing on her pretty quickly, though. They really enjoyed it at first, but a lot of the issues that come up are making it tough.

Like what? Disentary? Bombings?

haha, no bombings (yet). Lori did have a malaria scare at one point though...and the only option was to take a cab 4 hours north...the next day. things like that...

i edited the post with a website to check out

 

[magomago]

My best friend's sister is in the Ukraine right now. I think she had a 2 year contract, and she absolutely loves it. She said that its one of the best organizations to go through because of its good communication network if you are truly interested in going to a less fortunate area to help the people out...quite frankly I think the peace corp is one of the best things out there [despite the fact that their job is to ultimately "promote American interests" by getting them to teach english and build an attraction on America] simply because we learn so much by getting a chance to see other places that we cannot see in the good ol USA alone.
IF you are thinking about it - I say do it because no matter how mature we think we are, living among another group of people always helps us become better ourselves...peace core FTW

Make sure you WANT TO DO IT because its a long commitment...from what I learned, some days she had to simply stay inside because she got news from her bosses that said the Mafia was coming through and thus everyone (including the village) needs to stay put and not go out.

 

[Uppsala9496]

I had a friend about 10 years ago that was in Eritrea. Not exactly the safest place, but she was fine. Never had any issues. I would send her new water purifiers about once a month.

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: zinfamous
My cousin and her husband have been in Togo for just over 1 1/2 years now. It's wearing on her pretty quickly, though. They really enjoyed it at first, but a lot of the issues that come up are making it tough.

Like what? Disentary? Bombings?

haha, no bombings (yet). Lori did have a malaria scare at one point though...and the only option was to take a cab 4 hours north...the next day. things like that...

i edited the post with a website to check out

Thanks!

 

[43st]

My mother did two 'tours' in Africa. She really enjoyed it, but she thrives on that type of stuff. If you're carefree, can handle poor living conditions, and up for an adventure then you'll probably really enjoy it. If you're more of a homebody and/or need a stable environment then maybe not.

The worst she had was a tape worm I believe. The worst of which seems to be when you have to snap off the extra worm links after you poo.

 

[RagingBITCH]

My friend tried doing it...they messed with her app for over a year before she got fed up. She does other international relief aid kinda stuff....did work after the tsunami for two years.

 

[torpid]

I know a few people who have done it. Most of my knowledge comes from one person, who went to ecuador I believe. There were a couple of dangerous moments. I think it worked out well for he because she spoke the local language.

I didn't know they had people in Togo. There's been a lot of crazy political stuff there in the past several years. I used to work with a guy from there who was trying to decide if he should return there or not to help rebuild.

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: Zanix

Originally posted by: BornStar18
One of my friends is in Jamaica. She really seems to enjoy it although it's quite obviously not the safest thing to do.

Has she had any trouble? I mean, robberies or assults or anything?

Jamica is an interesting place.

You can defiantly tell there are two classes for the citizens.

upper class and poverty stricken class. When I Was there it was about 15% = Upper, 95% = Poverty struck....from what I recall in Jamaica they have only had 1-2 gun shootings. That may have been made up though...I forgot where I heard it.

Interesting math you got there

 

[johnjbruin]

Know a girl that spent a year and a half in Africa in some health clinic.
She enjoyed it.

 

[nageov3t]

my parents did... it was actually where they met.

I've only heard them say good things about it.