Can I pick the country where I will serve?
Yes. Applicants can apply for a specific current opening (a particular program in a single country) or have the option to select “Send me where I’m most needed.” The second option enables placement officers to consider an applicant for multiple sectors and locations. Applicants may reapply for future programs if they are not selected for their top choices. Some potential Volunteers will be interested in a specific area of the world, others in a specific language, program, or sector area. No matter what your personal priority is, you can express your preference to the Peace Corps.
What kinds of skills are countries looking for?
We get a wide variety of requests. We always need people with degrees or experience in environmental studies/sciences/education, math, sciences, health education, and human services. There are a large number of requests for English, science and math teachers, and also for people with business expertise.
Do I need to know a language?
No, but some programs require people who have studied one year or even two years of college (or two to four years high school) level French or Spanish within the past ten years. You should, however, be prepared to learn another language in the country where you serve.
Do I need to have a college degree?
We place Volunteers at the request of host countries, so it depends on their needs. Not all programs require degrees, but you must have a skill that is requested. In lieu of a degree you should have 2-5 years of work experience in a specific skill and have the ability to train or supervise others. Programs not requiring a degree include agriculture, construction and vocational arts, mechanics, and business management.
How competitive is it to get in?
Your competitiveness depends on the requests we receive from host countries and your education, work experiences, cultural sensitivity, and flexibility. Your competitiveness can be enhanced by foreign language study, especially Spanish or French; teaching or tutoring experience in English, math or science; paid or volunteer work experience; and a demonstrated ability to lead, organize and motivate people.
How long does the application process take?
This depends on what’s being requested and your skills. Generally it takes 6-12 months from the time an application is submitted to the time you go overseas. We accept applications year-round.
What kind of training do you get?
Every Volunteer is trained for 1-3 months, usually in the country where they will serve. It includes language, cross-cultural, and technical training.
When do volunteers usually go overseas?
It varies, however, a large number of programs begin training overseas between April and September. We accept applications year-round.
I have heard that you can pursue a “Secondary Project” along with your primary job while in the Peace Corps, is that true?
Yes, Peace Corps allows you to pursue a “secondary project”, which gives you the freedom to work with your local community and design, develop and deliver on a project of your choice that will benefit the people you are serving. If you have time, you can work with your local community and identify new projects that are of interest to you and those around you. Some examples of “secondary projects” include: planting a garden, building a well, developing a co-op for your community to sell their handiwork, building an irrigation system.
Isn’t Peace Corps for people who are fresh out of college?
The average age of Volunteers is about 31 and approximately 10 percent of Peace Corps Volunteers are over age 50. Since Peace Corps allows one to build on current skills and learn new ones, many use Peace Corps as a transition between careers, as well as a start out of college.
Can I serve with my spouse/friend/boyfriend/girlfriend?
Yes. The Peace Corps places committed couples, but please be aware that the opportunities for couples are more limited than those for individual applicants. Both you and your partner must apply at the same time and qualify for assignments in the same country. The Peace Corps’ experience is that couples who have been in a committed relationship for at least a year before they begin service are better able to adapt to the challenges of the Peace Corps. Friends who are not a couple and who wish to apply to Peace Corps at the same time must individually qualify for Peace Corps service. The Peace Corps cannot guarantee that such individuals will be assigned to the same program or country.
Does Peace Corps place families?
We are currently unable to accommodate families. We cannot guarantee health, education, visas and/or housing for families.
How do I get more information about Peace Corps?
More information about the program can found at the Peace Corps headquarters website or you can call the Northwest Regional recruiting office at 855-855-1961. Also, the WWU Peace Corps representative will be glad to help answer your questions.