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Similar programs to the Peace Corp?

Questions about the Peace Corps and alternatives?

  • In July, I'll graduate with a B.A. in English and I'm considering volunteering abroad with the Peace Corps. Yesterday I submitted my application, which I think is pretty strong - this year I'm studying abroad, so I'm used to foreign cultures; I have tons of volunteer and work experience, and excellent recommendations. If my application is accepted, am I obligated to go, or can I refuse? When will I find out about acceptance and placement? What are some things that I should be aware of in signing up with the Peace Corps? I've heard horror stories about people who broke their legs while serving and had to be amputated due to insufficient medical care - can this really happen? Also, do you know of any alternative programs to the Peace Corps that I can look into as back-up plans? While I enjoy the Peace Corp's long-term commitment and rough living, I'd also like to get to choose what I'll go to (I'm pretty passionate about working with children in Africa), but I'd really rather not pay a fee in order to volunteer, which a lot of programs demand. Thanks for all your help! <3

  • Answer:

    >If my application is accepted, am I obligated to go, or can I refuse? You can refuse. You can also quit at any time if you go and find it's not for you. >When will I find out about acceptance and placement? In about a year, after your medical, legal and dental clearances are done. Likely about 6-8 weeks prior to your departure. You will likely not know your country of service until your invitation. >I've heard horror stories about people who broke their legs while serving and had to be amputated due to insufficient medical care - can this really happen? I guess in theory, but it's not likely. I wouldn't say "insufficent" medical care, anyway. I'd term it more "not up to U.S. standards." (Some PC countries have US doctors and some don't. I, too, have heard horror stories, and in my country of service, a volunteer died after a long illness. As for alternatives -- AmeriCorps stateside. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fee. You have to be trained and such; those things don't come cheap. Your first step for Peace Corps will be to talk to a recruiter, and that will answer many of your questions. You can also read the best Q&A book on Peace Corps service, So You Want to Join the Peace Corps - What to Know Before You Go. People should be mandated to read that before asking a single question, because that book is incredibl accurate and thorough. Other resources: the Peace Corps Wiki, the Yahoo Peace Corps discussion group (complete archive since 1998), peacecorpsjournals.com (great index of volunteer blogs, past and present)

Charlott... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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As far as alternatives to the Peace Corps, you can check out Leave UR Mark. It's not as long a commitment and there is a fee but it is not as high as many other organizations. http://www.leaveurmark.com

xEnax

My daughter was a PCV in Peru 2008 - 2010. She blew out her ACL, which is a ligament in your knee. They flew her to George Washington University Hospital, where a surgeon fixed it. 30 days of physical rehab later, she went back to her post. While it is physically possible to get sick or injured and suffer from lack of treatment, it is rare. The local doctor who looked after me when I was a PCV, many years ago in Borneo, had graduated from Loma Linda, the 7th day Adventist school in the USA. He had a contract with the Peace Corps in Sawarak, to take care of us. The normal route is first aid; if that doesn't help, you go to a local hospital; if that doesn't help, medical evacuation. If you go rock climbing and your leg is crushed in an avalanche, or you get bitten by a black mamba, you are in deep trouble, just as you would be in the USA, in a wilderness area. (I would not want to be bitten by a black mamba eve if I was standing just outside the door of the emergency room at Johns Hopkins.)

Ted Pack

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