NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay. As usual, I'm planning way to far ahead in my life. But if there is any random population who may be able to give me some insight, it is NSGeneral.

Anyway, I'm currently in school studing English education. I was considering moving abroad to either Ireland or Australia for a while and getting some kinda job. However, today, the idea of the Peace Corps was mentioned.

I was curious if anyone has done the peace corps, or knows people who have? I just have general questions and am always up for a good story about what you did there.

Okay. As usual, I'm planning way to far ahead in my life. But if there is any random population who may be able to give me some insight, it is NSGeneral.

Anyway, I'm currently in school studing English education. I was considering moving abroad to either Ireland or Australia for a while and getting some kinda job. However, today, the idea of the Peace Corps was mentioned.

I was curious if anyone has done the peace corps, or knows people who have? I just have general questions and am always up for a good story about what you did there.

I haven't done it, but I plan to. I am a Latin American Studies major and plan to go South America after graduation for a year or so before Grad school. I think its a great idea, and I've met people who have loved it.

Well if you're going Education you might consider instead trying for a Fulbright Grant (US State Department run educator exchange program). I have a few uncles/aunts who went that way and found it pretty rewarding. Not my stories though, so you'll have to find a Fulbright Scholar for stories, basically they teach in other countries.

I was thinking of joining the Peace Corps eventually myself, after graduating from college. No firsthand experience, I'm afraid; I can only say this: Africa and Asia have the raw materials and (if it can be restored) the infrastructure to industrialize (the latter consists of railroads left behind by Europeans). The main problem for prosperity in those regions is a lack of experts to get the economy flowing. As such, educators could potentially do more good in those areas than a hundred doctors, in the long run (teach a man to fish, and all that).

Do what you think is right.

It's the toughest job you'll ever love or at least that's what I remember from the commercials they used to air back in the 80's. It's a great way to get out of the country and meet new and interesting people without killing them like you would in the military. I would highly recommend going to a doctor once you know where you're headed because you'll have to get shots for any diseases in the region. That's all I have for you. Good luck!

My hat off to anyone who would give their time to such a worthy cause. I, on the other hand, will be busy exploiting the masses...

My hat off to anyone who would give their time to such a worthy cause. I, on the other hand, will be busy exploiting the masses...
ya know, if you lift them up, then there is so much more to exploit them for.

Well if you're going Education you might consider instead trying for a Fulbright Grant (US State Department run educator exchange program). I have a few uncles/aunts who went that way and found it pretty rewarding. Not my stories though, so you'll have to find a Fulbright Scholar for stories, basically they teach in other countries.
I'll have to look into that. thanks for the tip.

I haven't done it, but I plan to. I am a Latin American Studies major and plan to go South America after graduation for a year or so before Grad school. I think its a great idea, and I've met people who have loved it.
going by the little I've read about it, I think they do a 27 month thing...not sure how flexable they are with that tho.

It helps if you already have an extensive background in volunteering. I knew people that went to Africa and just getting in the Peace Corps was harder than they thought.

It helps if you already have an extensive background in volunteering. I knew people that went to Africa and just getting in the Peace Corps was harder than they thought.
Ewwww volunteer..... Although I suppose it could be worth it in terms of karma and such. I had never actually heard of the peace Corps before this thread - I'll have to look into it more.
EDIT: it's not only for Americans, is it?

Join the Marine Corps instead. They travel around and help people too, but they do it with guns and bombs. That's the manly way to help out.

Join the Marine Corps instead. They travel around and help people too, but they do it with guns and bombs. That's the manly way to help out.
Please tell me you're joking. The 'manly way'? that's such bullshit. You must be joking.

Join the Marine Corps instead. They travel around and help people too, but they do it with guns and bombs. That's the manly way to help out.

And people always ask why we can't get such a simple thing as world peace...

Please tell me you're joking. The 'manly way'? that's such bullshit. You must be joking.
Yep, I'm joking.

And people always ask why we can't get such a simple thing as world peace...
Simple? You're kidding too, right?

Ahhh the Peace Corp. Kennedy's greatest legacy. Kudos if you sign up and stick it through. :)

Simple? You're kidding too, right?

Yep, gotta play along a bit though.

And people always ask why we can't get such a simple thing as world peace...

Haven't you heard the term "Peace through superior firepower".

My aunt joined the Peace Corps, and now she's broke and unemployed. She has interesting stories about getting shot at, though.

It's a good cause. A very fulfilling job, or so I'm told.

I've known several people over the years that spent some time in the Peace Corps. One of them quite a long time. None regretted the decision, even though at times, they said, they didn't think so while serving. Same with the military, now that I remember it.

Yep, I'm joking.
If there was a smiley wiping his forehead in relief, I'd use it. I knew you were too much of a respected poster to say something so dumb :D

Ewwww volunteer..... Although I suppose it could be worth it in terms of karma and such. I had never actually heard of the peace Corps before this thread - I'll have to look into it more.
EDIT: it's not only for Americans, is it?
only american citizens over 18. There are other groups that do similar work internationally, tho.