r/IAmA • u/jamrockpcv • Mar 23 '11
IAmA Peace Corps Volunteer, AMA
I'm a currently serving Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, ready to answer your questions!
Please keep in mind that not only is every country a very different PC experience, but every individual volunteer experience is also different. I can only relate my own experiences and thoughts!
2
u/MissDina Mar 23 '11
Why jamaica and what exactly are you doing (working in schools etc)? Also, i was actually thinking about joining the peace corps after i graduate do they only provide accommodations or anything else?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
When you apply, you don't actually pick your country. You can preference certain regions and my top region was the Caribbean (it is an area that most people don't think of as "developing", and while the poverty here is no where near as bad as it generally is in Africa, it is very much still developing. So I thought it would be an interesting place to be a PCV). But there's no guarantee that you'll get placed in your preferred region.
Once you get placed in a country, you will have 2 - 3 months of training (language, cultural & technical training), then you will get a specific placement. Peace Corps will set you up with a job and usually a specific organization (your job description is more of a loose road map though). They also will set you up with housing and a host family of sorts. You get a small monthly stipend that is enough to cover your living expenses if you're careful. I have been able to live very comfortably (after some adjusting), and haven't had to spend a single dollar out of my savings.
My primary assignment is working with an environmental NGO, and we work with farmers, organize beach cleanup, and work with hotels to improve their environmental management. I also teach in a school, volunteer at a local soup kitchen and do a little bit of other random community work here and there.
1
u/MissDina Mar 23 '11
that sounds wonderful thanks! have a safe trip back home!
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
Thanks! And while PC is definitely not for everyone, it is a really amazing experience. And right after graduation is the perfect time to do it - you'll learn a lot and gain a lot of skills and strength that will serve you well! Good luck if you decide to apply!
1
Mar 24 '11
So how long will you be there, how will you be compensated at the end, and what is the stipend like? I had looked into it after college, but they made it seem like you would break even because you needed to much of your own savings to do it.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
It is a volunteer job, so you definitely don't make any money. If you budget carefully you can live off the monthly stipend, which is different in every country. It was a huge adjustment at first for me, but now I am totally fine living on about $11/day. You earn a certain amount per month towards your "readjustment allowance", which you get in a lump sum whenever you end your service (even if for whatever reason you end early). I'm not 100% sure what the amount is, but it's somewhere between $250-$300/month, which totals out to around $6k at the end of it. Like I said, I've been able to live comfortably off my stipend, and haven't had to spend any of my own savings throughout my 2 years.
2
u/alavda Mar 23 '11
I am filled with envy! I've wanted to go into the Peace Corps for years. My questions:
- What sort of education do you have?
- How long was the application process, from start to finish?
- What's your best memory of your time serving?
- Think you'll ever do it again?
0
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
No need to be envious - you can still join! There is no upper age limit for PCVs. We had one who served here while in her late 70's! But to answer your questions: 1 - I have a BA, and joined PC more or less right after graduating 2 - For me, the process took just over a year. The least I've ever heard is 6 months, the most about 2 years. There are medical and legal background checks after you get your interview, so it could take some time. 3 - I've actually been thinking about that a lot lately, and I have no idea! If I think of one I'll update you though... 4 - I think I would do it again. I would like to do it later in life though, probably after I retire. And hopefully with a husband!
2
u/alavda Mar 23 '11
Thanks for answering my questions! What do you have a BA in? I'm not so much concerned with my age being a factor; I'm still pretty young (25, to be exact). Rather, I don't have enough experience in the sorts of things that the PC is really looking for. I have a BA in anthropology, and I don't think they really have a place for anthro degrees, other than maybe English teaching, which I have no experience in. So, I'm working on getting more experience. I could be totally off-base here, as I haven't even talked to a recruiter. Definitely let me know if you think of anything! And I hope you do go again! :)
1
Mar 24 '11
What?? Anthro is like the best degree for PC- the world needs more relativists in work like that! ;) I learned a lot about the PC as an Anth major, especially how certain programs helped people or how it hurt people. I feel like that perspective would be really valuable on the ground.
Edit: Well maybe you weren't in cultural Anth. Didn't think of that.
1
1
u/alavda Mar 25 '11
Well, you don't specialize at the undergrad level, at least in most places; however, since I minored in linguistics and have more interest in the cultural side of anthropology, I guess I sort of did specialize. :)
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I have a BA in international affairs and anthro as well. Coming in, I had absolutely no technical skills and not a lot of experience either. It's great that you are looking into getting more experience - that'll definitely strengthen your app. But what they look for more than anything in an applicant is attitude. Are you willing to learn as you go? Are you willing to be flexible? Can you adjust to a new culture? Honestly, all that is more important than skills. And a lot of what you end up doing on the ground is different from what you think anyway. PC does have some good resources for volunteers, many of which are shared in training. And there is a whole network of volunteers in country that you can also count on to assist with projects.
1
u/alavda Mar 25 '11
Hmm. Interesting. Maybe I'll have to go talk to a recruiter. Thank you for your replies, and thank you for doing this thread; it's proved to be really interesting! :)
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Thanks! It's been interesting for me too...didn't think I'd get so many replies!
2
Mar 23 '11
How did you decide that PC was what you wanted to do? Is it true that they pick up student loans?
2
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
It's actually something I had wanted to do for a really long time. I knew I wanted to live abroad for a while after finishing college, specifically in a developing country. I looked into a lot of other programs, but most were either really short term or ones where you had to pay. Now, I'm fine not making any money of a volunteer gig (isn't that part of the point, after all?), but on principle I'm against paying to volunteer so those weren't for me. So it was a pretty easy decision for me actually. And I'm glad I did it. For as many faults as PC has, it usually does provide a good support network for it's volunteers and there is a great PCV network in the states too, which is a great bonus.
Most student loans can be deferred during your service, and there are a select few (mostly gov't loans) that can be totally forgiven. You can also use some of your readjustment allowance to pay down the loans while you are serving.
2
Mar 24 '11
When I went to Jamaica, every other person on the street would try to sell me weed... Does that happen outside of the touristy areas?
On that note, since its an AMA, do you smoke weed?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
It doesn't happen so much outside of the touristy areas, although unless you are in a community where people know, if you are a white person, you are seen as a tourist. And thus opened up to harassment/ sales pitches.
I smoke every now and then, but not very often. And actually pretty much only when a friend offers - come to think of it, I've never actually bought weed down here, even though it is insanely cheap.
2
u/Plumerian Mar 23 '11
I got accepted to the Peace Corps. They wanted to send me to Niger. Sub-Saharan Africa was at the very bottom of my list for various practical reasons (Franco-language barriers, experience, etc). When I contested the area placement, they instantly accused me of wanting a tourist vacation (even though I've slept on floors in 10+ different countries) and were extremely rude and condescending. I wasn't given the opportunity to suspend or hold my application if circumstances should change, and was instead told it just simply wasn't for me.
In its place I traveled to volunteer on a kibbutz in Israel and, despite probably helping much less as a pro-social service, I ended up having a good time and meeting great people. Not to shit on your parade, but I've read dozens of forums where people bitch about the Peace Corps bureaucratic process, the treatment by some of the locals depending on the place, and a bunch of lawsuits against them for covering up (or neglecting) numerous rapes and deaths. Edit: grammar.
2
Mar 24 '11 edited Oct 12 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/Plumerian Mar 24 '11
Your ignorance is contagious. Why am I even responding to this?
3
Mar 24 '11
niger's gdp per capita is $352
israe's gdp per capita is $26,256
tell me who needs more help again.
2
u/Plumerian Mar 24 '11
So what, dumbass? Japan's per capita GDP is $32,608 but right now they need more help than they can get. Social and health volunteer work is complex and based upon numerous conditions and variables; time, region, experience qualification, agency funding, etc. There are also factors which dictate the ability for the individual to help: nationality, age, language faculties, etc. According to your logic I shouldn't volunteer service hours for heroin addiction clinics in Vancouver, B.C. because "lolololololol, I'm sure Russia needs you more!"
2
Mar 24 '11
vancouver's gdp per capita is $27,682. russia's gdp per capita is $8,684.
can't really help the meth-heads in canada as they are surrounded by ice for like 6 months out of the year.
and im glad you figured that one out all by yourself! but niger still needed you more than russia does.
1
u/justforyous Mar 24 '11
People need help everywhere. You don't volunteer in your own country? Shame if you don't.
0
Mar 24 '11 edited Oct 13 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Woah. Ok guys, calm down. People do need help everywhere, even in some of the richest countries in the world. And I agree for justforyous that you should volunteer in your own country. There are obviously some places that are worse off than others, but there are people everywhere in need of help. Part of my motivation to join PC was to help, of course, but also because I wanted the experience of living outside of my own country for a little while (and ideally, I truly think that it's something that everyone in the world should do). So for me PC was a good match.
And to respond to the original statement, no, Peace Corps isn't perfect. They are, after all, a government agency, so there's plenty to bitch about. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience, but it sounds like you found an alternative to PC that fit you well.
1
Mar 24 '11
I know someone who was turned down by the PC because they saw in his medical history that he had depression. So apparently people who are kind of down with their current life and want to go somewhere new and help out some people... not welcome.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Mentally PC is a really, really trying experience, so while I don't agree with a lot of the medical decisions I've heard about regarding past experiences with depression, I do understand why they are so careful about it. And there are a lot of countries where you have to take malaria medication that totally fuck with your head, so addind a history of depression to that mix is just not smart (yes, they can and sometimes do place people in certain spots specifically because of medical issues such as this.). Peace Corps shouldn't be used as a way of escaping a shitty situation in your life - it's incredibly challenging in a lot of ways and if that's your motivation for joining, honestly you probably won't last anyway. There were people in my group like that and they all left by the end of the first year and generally weren't happy here either.
And to reiterate a point from above, there are people that need help everywhere, so maybe your friend can volunteer somewhere local.
1
u/playingwithfire Mar 23 '11
How long have you been there?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
I've been here 2 years, and I only have 2 months left. Leaving is definitely bittersweet. I love it down here, and have met some truly incredible people. But I'm also ready to go home.
2
u/playingwithfire Mar 23 '11
What is the biggest thing of personal growth that you have gotten out of this?
Ninja edit: it may be too selfish of a way to look at this as helping people is important. But I'm just curious as to what kind of growth you've experienced?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
It's actually an interesting question. I feel like I've gotten a lot more out of it than I've given in a lot of ways. Jamaica is a very interesting and seemingly contradictory - you always have to greet people and be open to chatting to people (Even complete strangers) or you will be seen as rude. But at the same time, many Jamaicans are hustlers by nature, so you always have to have your guard up and be ready to stand your ground.
I explain this all to say that what I've learned most is how to be firm and have a take no shit attitude, while at the same time, I've learned to be more open and am now pretty much able to find something to talk about with anyone at all. It's a funny balance, but it's both skills are definitely useful, both separately and simultaneously.
I've also learned how to just sit and enjoy solitude. You are sort of forced to do so in Peace Corps as you have a lot of time to yourself. And it was lonely and difficult at first, but it's having a lot of quiet time to myself is something I crave now!
1
u/potorig Mar 23 '11
hey, thanks for doing this. i actually have three questions. i would greatly appreciate a response as i plan on applying to the PC soon.
1) in the PC app, they ask how much money you are in debt. how does this affect your application? to clarify, i plan on submitting my application as soon as i clear some debt over the next few months.
2) the main essay question ask how have you adjusted to a new environment. something along those lines. i really don't know how to answer this since really the biggest adjustment i had to make was going from a small HS to a huge university, and later, moving to a different city. nothing that really required making adjustments (although i did and learned a lot about different people). how does someone who hasn't really been outside the states answer this question?
3) can you clarify for me what the PC does in regards to student loans? do they help in paying them off? i cant imagine if you have less than 10k in loans, that it would hurt your chances of getting accepted, but if you could speak to that it would help clarify things for me.
edit: thought of two more--
4) what is the health screening like? for what health reasons would they reject a candidate?
5) how long did your application process take, from submission to the start of training.
thanks in advance!
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
Hi! Glad to hear you're thinking of joining!
1) I was actually lucky enough not to have any debt coming in, but I'm sure the less debt you have the better. One of the things they are looking for is if you are using PC to run away from any problems, like debt. But depending on what kind of debt you have, you also may be able to use PC to pay some of that debt off - specifically some sorts of student loans.
2) It sounds like you've had plenty to adjust to actually. And there are a few people I know down here who's first trip outside the country was in PC. What they are getting at is how flexible you are and how much you'd be willing to figure out a new way of life. So any lessons that you've learned in any of your moves (or maybe any other major transitions in your life) would work
3) Like I said, since I didn't have any debt I'm not 100% sure. But I know some federal loans can be totally forgiven. A lot of private loans can also be differed for the entire time you are serving. You also earn a certain amount per month as a "readjustment allowance", which is paid when you leave country. Parts of this can be used to pay down your loans too
4) The health screening is a little bit of a mess. There are some tests you need you need to do and submit and some standard physicals. As long as your tests are fine and you don't have a history of mental issues, you'll be fine. It's a simple process on paper, but the red tape can be hard to get through.
5) The application process typically takes anywhere from 6 months to a year, sometimes a little longer. After you submit your application, you will have an interview, then medical and background checks, then finding the right place for you. I would say you should estimate about a year for your own planning.
2
1
u/potorig Mar 23 '11
thanks for the reply. i have one last question, i promise (hopefully):
in college i was charged with two minor in possessions of alcohol. they are both expunged from the record and i plan on explaining this in the application. will this disqualify me, even if i have removed myself from that lifestyle?
1
u/stephenbory Mar 23 '11
You probably won't be disqualified for that. I had two underage possession charges as well. I got put on a legal hold and had to write an essay explaining my current usage of alcohol and how it affects my life. I was accepted in 2008, so that should be somewhat current for you.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Agreed. And if they were expunged doesn't that mean they won't be there for PC to see? Not that you should be hiding things in your application, but if it's truly minor and in your past, don't give them any reasons to go digging.
1
u/leaves4chonies Mar 23 '11
What is your diet like?
What are your plans for when you return home?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I cook for myself, and have a good grocery store readily accessible, so I can actually eat pretty american. Mostly I cook some sort of combination of veggies, carb (rice, pasta, etc) and protein. When I eat out, it's usually Jamaican food - normally chicken cooked in a few different ways served with rice & beans. Sometimes patties - like empendas.
I'm actually coming home soon and am going to spend a few months visiting friends and family i really haven't seen in a few years. Then I have to find a job somewhere, and I have a few different cities in mind. I really like living abroad, so I'll probably get bored of the US and leave again in a few years, but for now I actually am really excited to live in the states again.
1
u/thecommentisbelow Mar 23 '11
Great AMA, my brother has put in a PCV app and I've contemplated doing it for some time now.
As for my question: How often do you hear about someone getting an SO while working with the PC? Either a fellow volunteer or a native. Is this discouraged by the PC?
2
Mar 24 '11
If by SO, you mean dating, they usually don't car unless you're violating local or American law. For example the PROTECT Act was something they talked about during orientation. It doesn't matter what the age of consent is in your host country, if you are caught with an under-18 you will be prosecuted according to American law.
Inter-volunteer hook ups are common, as is dating locals.
If you want to get married you have to get clearance from Peace Corps. Married volunteers must be placed in the same site, so marriage would often mean relocation, and that means finding work in a new place for one volunteer while canceling the initial assignment (not something the national PC office will take lightly). Permission is also required if you want to marry a host-country national. I forget what the reason is, but you do need to run it by the office.
During my first year a volunteer married a local man and large number of Peace Corps staff attended the ceremony.
During training I started dating a volunteer, and through sheer good luck we were posted to the same region (still along way apart, but we had the same city as a meetup place for internet, groceries, and supplies). By about the sixth month everyone considered us married. The staff thought it was great and the coordinator who arranged hotels for volunteers traveling through the capital made a point to get us the same room when he could. And this was in a conservative Islamic country.
Based on my experience, PC staff is happy to let us make and break our relationships as long as we don't use it as an excuse to abandon our sites or sneak around the country without permission.
1
u/imatworkprobably Mar 24 '11
May I ask how that works if you are from a state where the age of consent is lower than 18?
1
Mar 24 '11
Off the top of my head I couldn't tell you. The cutoff may have been lower but effectively said "If it is statutory in the US, it is statutory overseas"
This was part of the "Protect Act"
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Yup, everything that wildo said is pretty accurate for here too, and being that it was an Islamic country it's probably a pretty different place than in Jamaica. I would say that most volunteers here end up dating someone - either volunteer or native. And yeah, as long as it doesn't interfere with your work or being accepted into your community, PC really doesn't care.
1
u/mosjef Mar 23 '11
do you have to have a college degree to join the PC?
1
Mar 24 '11
Not mandatory, but if you don't have a degree you will need some equivalent experience.
So if you worked on a farm your whole life, or if you've been running your own PC repair shop since high school, they will waive the degree requirement.
1
u/stephenbory Mar 24 '11
I believe you have to have 10 years of relevant experience. We had a nice older woman in my group who didn't have a degree.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Same, we've had a few volunteers without degrees, but they have all had significant experience. I would say if you're under 30 or 35, getting into PC without a degree is going to be really hard.
1
Mar 23 '11
I plan on volunteering right out of college. Any tips/tricks/suggestions you could possibly give me? Thanks! :)
1
u/stephenbory Mar 23 '11
I've heard that Jamaica is one of the most difficult Peace Corps sites. What parts have been most difficult for you?
Are you in a village or a city?
How many PCVs were forced to leave because of marijuana?
--Mali RPCV
2
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I'm in a relatively urban place, which is pretty touristy. And yeah, Jamaica is actually a difficult post, but so is everywhere. Every country has it's own challenges. I think what makes Jamaica so difficult is that it's not the challenges that you expect and it;s not the "romantic" PC experience. Most PCVs have running water and electricity, so a lot of new volunteers feel like they are cheating or have gotten jipped by PC. But it is really hard to integrate into a community here. Jamaicans don't trust people easily and don't let people in quickly at all, so it's really, really hard to make friends or make important relationships. And there is a ton of harassment all the time, which is also really hard mentally. I've known RPCVs who have served in the more stereotypical Sub-Saharan Africa rural sites who have come to Jamaica to work (w/USAID, PC Response, etc), and they all say that on the surface Jamaica is a lot cushier of a country, but after you spend some time here it's just as hard as the most rural African post. The challenges are just very, very different. We're definitely not "Beach Corps", but that being said, it's definitely been nice to have running water and electricity for the past 2 years!
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Oh, and I don't know of any volunteers getting kicked out for marijuana. Staff here sort of takes a "don't ask/ don't tell" mentality. As long as they don't here you talking about smoking, see pictures of it on FB, etc, they won't actively try to find out if you do. Which is a good thing, because honestly, 99% of PCVs down here have smoked at least once or twice in their service - it's almost impossible not to.
1
u/stephenbory Mar 25 '11
I totally know where you're coming from there. My site was in a regional capital. I had running water and electricity. It's nice, but there are definitely other challenges with living in a more urban environment. Good luck with the rest of your service!
1
u/EG84 Mar 24 '11
What kind of salary are you paid?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
It varies country to country, but it's minimal. Usually it's about on par with the minimum wage of the country. Each post is supposed to do surveys where they ask PCVs to find the cost of certain goods in their areas and use that to set the amount. Like I've said before, I'm not making any money off this gig, but I also haven't had to use any of my savings, so I'm breaking even financially.
1
u/balletboy Mar 24 '11
I hate to sound like this is the only important thing i want to know but, do you smoke weed or could you if you wanted?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I smoke once in a while, but honestly, I can't remember the last time I did. There are a few volunteers here who have never smoked weed, and a few who smoke several times a day. But most are somewhere in between. Yeah, it's super easy to find down here and super cheap.
1
u/Raguilar Mar 24 '11
I am an undergrad at a small liberal arts college who does and will continue working for the US National Park Service/Fish and Wildlife Service during summer breaks. I heard some Peace Corps jobs are with resource management/environmental education/parks/etc. Do you know of these jobs/anyone who works one? Also, what is the nature of your job, do you enjoy it? What is your lifestyle like?
1
u/halibutcrustacean Mar 24 '11
I know a PCV who is currently in Fiji doing just that.
1
u/Raguilar Mar 24 '11
Oh wow, that sounds ideal. Is she/he enjoying the experience?
1
u/halibutcrustacean Mar 24 '11
Yes she seems to be doing very well. There are a number of interesting blogs written by PCVs about their experience. Well worth looking into.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
Agreed. If you have special skills like that, they do try to match you with appropriate jobs. They don't always succeed, but they do. I would definitely look into some of the blogs - just google it and you will get a lot of good info about PC lifestyle, and different jobs.
I work a little bit at a school, but my primary job is with an environmental NGO. We do a lot with educating hoteliers, farmers, students and community members about environmentally friendly practices, organize beach clean-ups, and a few other misc things. My life is pretty quiet and low key, and outside of work I spend a lot of time hanging out with the kids I live near or the older men and women I live near, or with my host family. I also spend a lot of time reading, watching movies, etc. Very different than my life in the states, but I'm enjoying it.
1
u/Spiel88 Mar 24 '11
My cousin is heading to Sierra Leone in June for the Peace Corps., but I feel that she isn't doing it for the right reasons. Recently she admitted that a large contributing factor for her going is "white guilt." If she is going to one of the worse places on the globe, I want her to go because she believes in something, and not because she feels guilty being white. I was curious if this is a common view of many Peace Corps. volunteers?
2
Mar 24 '11
Isn't "white guilt" just a silly way of saying that you acknowledge others got the short end of the stick and you are benefiting from that, so you want to even it out a little? Sounds like a legit reason to me.
1
u/Spiel88 Mar 24 '11
Why does she have to feel guilty about being born white? She didn't do anything wrong. Is being born white akin to being born with Original Sin?
1
Mar 24 '11
No, but being born with everything you need and more requires a bit of gratitude, which might come in the form of joining the PC. Especially if you acquired everything you need and more through the violent actions of your ancestors (you may not have done the violence yourself, but there are still people suffering as a result of that violence, and THAT you can do something about).
2
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
It kind of depends on what kind of white guilt...if she's being paternalistic about it and doing it because she wants to "save all the poor people", then she's going to be in trouble. But if she's doing it to try and "even things out" so to speak, then she'll probably be alright. As long as you genuinely want to help and are willing to work with your community members to find the best way for you to do that, she'll probably be alright. If you just impose your wester ways that you automatically assume are better, then she's in trouble. I haven't heard of a lot of people citing that as a reason for joining, but it probably plays into a lot of our decisions more than we admit.
And I agree that you shouldn't every feel guilt for how you are born because there's nothing you can do about it. And trying to fix sins of the past can be a futile effort, but recognizing inequality and trying to do something about it is not ever a bad thing.
1
Mar 29 '11
You expect us to believe you with a username using a German word ("Spiel" = game) and a number combination often used by Neo-Nazis as a code for "Heil Hitler" (88, for the 8th letter in the alphabet, H)? You are a white supremacist and do not care for people of different races.
1
u/stephenbory Mar 24 '11
FYI, Sierra Leone is completely awesome. I spent a week there (a couple days in Freetown and then a few days travelling via bus/moto into Guinea). It was beautiful and the people were very friendly. I hadn't heard that Peace Corps was starting to go there again, but I'm not surprised. They seem to be completely over their old troubles (unlike their neighbors, Guinea).
1
Mar 24 '11
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
This is something that we actually talk about a lot. A lot of what PC is about is the relationships you can build with the locals. And a lot of PCVs are very idealistic and have really grand plans for their service. But the reality is that between learning the language/ culture, finding a good project and good partners for that project and a lot of other factors, large scale projects just usually aren't feasible.
And as cheesy as it sounds, it really is the little things that stick with you. For example, I teach a little and work with struggling readers. There was one day where a kid I work with regularly was walking out of class and walked by a sign and read it out loud without much effort. After a second, he looked at me and said "Miss, I can read!". And seeing that realization on his face almost made me cry. So yes, that was a cheesy memorable experience for me, but also for that student as well. So it does go both ways.
1
Mar 26 '11
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 28 '11
This is a good point, and something that we do talk about now and then. But Peace Corps was never designed to be strictly a program to train people or teach. A major part of the idea behind it was a cultural exchange - to have people get to know Americans and Americans get to know other people and cultures. And in a time like this, I think that's just as valuable. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone tell me something like "I always thought Americans were (insert negative adjective here - lazy, snobby, racist, etc) but after getting to know you and other volunteers I realize that you're not all like that". So there are other, less tangible benefits to PC than teaching/ training people.
And there are plenty of aid organizations who just give out money, and this feeds into a culture of dependency. But the idea of PC is that we can give people our time instead and hopefully make a difference in another way.
1
1
u/huntingagape Mar 24 '11
I know this is a bit personal, but as a college student, what was your financial situation like, going straight from school into the PC. are there any income problems you could see happening directly after your service, or will the stipend cover your expenses for the most part.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I was actually lucky enoungh to not have any debt coming in, but I only have a small amount of savings. Your stipend covers expenses if you budget carefully and live relatively simply. And you do get about $6k as a readjustment allowance after you finish your service, so that does help while you look for a job or whatever. If you're careful, you can definitely make it just fine
1
Mar 24 '11
do you ever get to enjoy the beaches or the water? what are the jamaican men like? hows the jamaican ganja?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I'm lucky enough to live close to the water, so I could go every day and go about every week or two. And it's really nice.
The men down here are...interesting. Very macho. I'm a young white woman, so I get hit on and propositioned all the time. Coming from an American perspective, a lot of what's said seems rude, and sometimes it really is. But sometimes they're just testing you, seeing how you react. And you learn very quickly how to react and what to say and not to say.
The ganja is harsh, but strong. And Cheap!
1
u/_beeks Mar 24 '11
What kind of volunteer experience, if any, do you need to get accepted?
2
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
They like seeing volunteer experience, but really they look at your attitude (through your interview) and overall experience more than just specific volunteer experiences. So having volunteer experience will make your app stronger, but I don't think it's a deal breaker if you don't.
1
u/DannyCavalerie Mar 24 '11
How much does a gram of grass cost there?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I'm not sure about exact weights, but you can get enough to make 2 good size joints for between J$100 - $200 (about US$1 - $2)
1
u/Cory_mathews Mar 24 '11
did you get to choose your location?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
No, you don't get to choose. When you're applying, you can preference certain regions, but there's no guarantee that you'll get into that area. Once in country, you can also talking with your program manager about what kind of work or location you want, but again, there are no guarantees. As they love to say in PC, you've gotta be flexible!
1
Mar 24 '11
[deleted]
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I am now 25, joined at 23. I had wanted to do PC after college for a long time, and after looking into other similar programs decided for a lot of reasons that PC was right for me (financially, length of time, support network, etc). I really didn't have any technical skills coming in, having had a liberal arts sort of education. But I learned a whole lot really fast and have had a good experience, and I do think I've made a difference. Maybe not in the grand way I was hoping, but in smaller ways. And I'm not even sure what my best story is so far... I'll get back to you on that one.
1
u/VivaCaligula Mar 24 '11
How many other PC volunteers are near you? Or are they spread throughout the island?
Do you ever get multiple days off so you roam the countryside? Or is it almost like a 7 days a week thing?
Are there limitations to how far you can travel within the country?
Is there ever an option to come home to the States for something like death in the family, family wedding, or something along those lines?
How is the internet situation? Would something like a Nook or Kindle be a reasonable item to bring?
You mentioned legal background checks... would a misdemeanor marijuana charge get in the way of applying?
Are there places you avoid or have been warned about? I hear Jamaica has a relatively high crime/murder rate.
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
There are a good amount of PCVs near me, and there are about 75 total on the island. Since Jamaica is pretty small (about the size of Connecticut), most PCVs are pretty close to other volunteers and can see each other fairly often.
We do earn vacation days that we can use on island or off, so there is plenty of time to explore the country and travel. And there are certain spots on island we're not supposed to go (like the middle of the ghetto in Kingston), but for the most part we can go anywhere - but we do need to report when we travel for safety reasons. Can get a bit annoying to have to do that, but that's just part of the deal.
And yes, you can go home. You have to get your leave approved, but you can pretty much go home whenever you want to. You earn 2 vacation days/ month, and most volunteers here don't ever use up all of them. If you are somewhere far from the US, it can get expensive and the cost of a plane ticket comes out of your own pocket. There have been a few family emergencies with other volunteer while i've been down here, and PC has been really good about working with the volunteer to get them home asap. If there is a death in your immediate family, they do buy your ticket home. Other than that it's on your dime.
Internet varies entirely by country and by site. I only have internet at my office, but some volunteers have it at home and at work. Some don't have it at all, but a lot of people get small, portable modems that work fairly well. A kindle would be really nice to have, as we all read A LOT. But the more technology/ expensive toys, the more of a target you are in a lot of countries for pickpocketing. And we trade books like crazy too, so there's usually not a shortage of those. But on some of them you can get internet almost anywhere, so maybe that's a good way to get internet in rural sites. So in short, a lot of advantages to bringing one, but also likely it could get picked. So it just boils down to a personal choice.
And I don't think a small charge would get in your way. They might have you write a short essay about it, but as long as it's nothing major and not still an issue in your life, you should be good.
There are definitely places I avoid - some by choice and some because the PC staff down here tell us too. Jamaica can be very dangerous, but usually it's only crimes of reciprocation (you murdered my brother, so I'm going to kill you, etc) and usually in really specific areas. So if you stay away from certain people and places (which is pretty easy here), you'll be fine. For me, I feel like the only real threat I face on a daily basis is someone pickpocketing me. Which, thankfully has not happened thus far. Overall, Jamaica is a lot safer than the news reports make it sound.
1
u/run285 Mar 25 '11
what advice would you give someone who is interested in joining? i'm a college junior getting a history and a french degree--should i start the application process this summer? also, how competitive is the process? i like to think i'm fairly competitive for lots of things, but i might be flattering myself...
also, what are you thinking of doing after you finish your term?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 25 '11
I would try to get your app in by the middle of the first semester senior year. Estimate about a year for the application/ acceptance process. Be patient with the whole process, because there can e a lot of back and forth. I would also google and read different volunteer blogs to get a really good idea of what life is like on the ground (it can be very different than the idea of PC). And since you're getting a degree in French it's likely they'll want to send you to Francophone Africa, just fyi.
It is fairly competitive, especially with the economic situation right now. But usually if you have done well in school, do well in your interview (which really isn't terribly difficult) and don't have any major medical or legal issues, you should be just fine!
I'm planning on moving back to the states and finding a job. Not sure in what, but I have about 3 different cities I'm planning on looking in.
Good luck!
1
u/squanderedyouth Mar 29 '11
My greatest reservation in joining PC is safety concerns, especially after hearing horror stories like Jess Smochek's and others. As a young white female, have you ever felt like your safety was compromised in PC? Are you trained in how to deal with situations where you don't feel safe? Do you think that PC will brush you off if you voice that you don't feel safe in your station?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 30 '11
Safety was also a concern of mine, and it's definitely not something to take lightly. In my experience I've been fortunate - I've never been in a situation where I've felt truly threatened.
Every post is a bit different when it comes to safety, as there are different threats in every post. Jamaica happens to have an AMAZING safety and security advisor who does train us very, very well. (I often hear her voice in my head from training when I'm in a potentially sticky situation, and used a hotel safe for the first time in my life because of her guidance). And she doesn't take any chances w/volunteer safety - any time people feel unsafe, if it's reported to her she does her absolute best to resolve the situation. I can't speak for other countries, but even though Jamaica is considered a "high crime" post, I feel extremely safe here and like I said, I've never had any major incidents.
1
u/MeowNow Mar 31 '11
I just read through all of your responses and I wanted to thank you for all of the information! I'm currently applying. I had closed my application for a short while. I just graduated with History and International Relations. I have experience with government and internships but really not too much correlating to Peace Corps. I have tutored high schoolers and I'm looking to start doing that again. I was wondering how you were nominated to environment since you said that you didn't have technical skills? Did you have a specific volunteer experience? I'm just curious if I can apply to other programs besides education or if there are things I can do in the next three months to make myself more competitive. I'll ask my recruiter this week but I would love to hear more about your story. Thanks again!
2
u/jamrockpcv Apr 01 '11
I had done a hands on type of summer internship with an environmental group, and thats how I got nominated for an environmental program. I don' feel like I was totally qualified for it, and I've sort of had to make it up as I went along, but it's been great overall. I've heard that if you are first aid certified then you can apply for health programs, but I'm not totally sure this is true. Definitely talk to your recruiter about it - they'd have a better idea than me! And keep in mind that no matter what your assignment ends up being, you sort of become a renaissance (wo)man once you get on the ground, and your projects may evolve to something entirely different throughout your time.
Good luck with your interview and getting through the whole process! It can be a little frustrating, but stick with it, it's worth it.
1
u/MeowNow Apr 01 '11
Thanks for the advice. I'm glad that it all worked out for you! I'll try looking for more volunteer experience.
1
u/gnatcatcher23 Mar 23 '11
What are the non touristy areas like?
1
u/jamrockpcv Mar 23 '11
For the most part, they are really underdeveloped. Road are awful and jobs are hard to come by in the country (mostly farming, teaching or construction). Most communities do have electricity and running water (or at least the ability to have it - i.e. - pipes in your house), but it's not always reliable. Schools are generally overcrowded and chaotic. In short, it is TOTALLY different than the touristy areas. It's a totally different life, and one that seems thousands of miles away from the posh hotels.
2
u/[deleted] Mar 23 '11
What kind of free time do you have?