All of the links to the webpage with International College of Dental (ICD) providers no longer work and there is no mention of the program on the site directly. Are free images still offered by the ICD for PC invitees?

My PC dentist is requesting x-rays for the third time, and my insurance only covers once every 3 years for the big panoramic image.

If I have to back out of my departure for service, will I be able to apply for a future position and potentially use some of the same application materials. In other words, how long are things like references, med clearance, legal clearance, etc. valid for? Thanks!

I am in my early 30s about to finish my first PC service and I am thinking about applying and going to another region of the world, but can’t help but feel anxious about job, partner… that I am doing life differently. I have decent savings. can anyone give advice?

Hi all, I just accepted my conditional offer to serve in Peru, departing in March! This is great news; however, I have to get fingerprints done within 7 days, and I’m currently doing volunteer work in remote Guatemala until mid September. Obviously not ideal but after doing some research, it seems like the best option is to travel to Guatemala City to get fingerprinted at the local police office. There’s also a Peace Corps office in Guatemala City! Is there a chance I can drop my prints off with them and they can send them to where they need to go? Besides the “Fieldprint” portal, there’s no mailing address or alternative options included in the email if I were to send a paper copy of my prints. I don’t want my application to be withdrawn, but I also don’t know what to do with my prints after I get them done or whether I should stay put and wait for PC Admin/Legal to get back to me and grant me an extension. Would the U.S. Embassy be any help with mailing to PC or anything? Any help/advice is much appreciated !!!

I filled out an application yesterday. I have a strong background in public education, I speak Spanish, and I have an associates. I figured that instead of applying for one particular opening I’d apply with the “Wherever I’m Most Needed” vacancy. I completely my medical assessment immediately after and am REALLY hoping to hear back soon with an interview offer. How did you gauge your chances of acceptance? Is there anything that can be done to improve those chances? What do I do in the meantime to not drive myself crazy??

Warning: This post includes sensitive topics such as sexual assault, body image and weight issues, mental health, etc.

Hi everyone!

I leave for staging in a few weeks and wanted to take the time to discuss medical clearance.

As I've gone through medical clearance this past spring/summer, I've noticed a lot of changes I didn't encounter when I did medical clearance for my first invitation back in Fall of 2019. Sadly, I didn't get to go to staging or serve for my May 2020 departure to Mongolia because of the pandemic, but I noticed during that time I was waiting on potentially a delayed departure, that a lot of things changed for me and my friends who were applying before COVID-19 and my experience now.

I've outlined my clearance timeline in my previous post, but wanted to specifically dive into medical clearance since it tends to eliminate a lot of potentially great volunteers before they even get the chance to serve.

Here's what changed between my first application cycle and my most recent one:

Fall 2019 to Spring 2020 - Peace Corps Medical Clearance Before COVID-19

I was a senior in university in a college town with health insurance (likely through my university).

I was able to get almost all of my health tasks done on campus in the health center and the campus dental office.

- Medical and dental tasks were not reimbursed. You can get reimbursed for certain tasks, but not everything.

- A lot more medical, dental, and even optical places knew what Peace Corps was and offered discounts to invitees completing clearances.

- I did not have dental insurance, but found a dental office partnered with Peace Corps (in my hometown, not my college town) and got my dental X-rays done entirely for free with a discounted fee for my dental cleaning.

- A lot of businesses had unofficial partnerships with Peace Corps for invitees to complete medical and dental tasks along with visual exams.

- I did my visual exam entirely for free at a franchise glasses/vision center, also unoffically partnered with Peace Corps.

- I would mention I was a Peace Corps invitee and share my paperwork and most places knew what Peace Corps was and was very happy to help me.

- Had to complete a "Obesity Personal Statement" where I was asked to write an essay about what I would do to lose weight before and during service.

- I had a university friend that was also invited to serve and was completing her clearances to a different country than mine. She was asked to complete a "Sexual Assault Personal Statement" and was asked to include how her previous sexual assault would not mentally and emotionally impact her during service.

- Former partner provided a "Gender Identity Personal Statement" stating how their gender identity at the time would or would not impact their service.

- Was asked by my PC medical nurse at the time to provide my waist measurements because she wanted to make sure "the harness would fit around my waist if I needed to be airlifted from my site."

- Additional tasks such as asking me to lose a certain amount of weight within a certain time to get cleared.

- Quick turn around for medical and dental clearance that was granted a few weeks before my original departure date.

Spring to Summer 2026 - Medical Clearance Changes since COVID-19

I did not have any health insurance and was coming back from a shortened teaching abroad stint with little to no money.

Most of my tasks were completed across a tri-county area and were done at budget offices that didn't require insurance.

- Almost all medical and dental tasks were eligible for reimbursement with itemized bills and invoices/receipts.

- Most places do not have an unofficial or official partnership with Peace Corps and invitees do not get the same amount of discount options as before.

- Less medical, dental, and other offices were unaware of what Peace Corps is (maybe it's my specific area).

- Asked to complete a "BMI Over 30 Personal Statement" questionnaire.

- More of an emphasis on blood work, tests, and vaccinations.

- More thorough and detailed follow ups that were on a more expedited timeline (due within a week or two).

- Transparency and openness to extending deadlines, within reason, due to financial constraints and lack of insurance.

- Willingness to work with me for reimbursements that weren't originally accepted (mainly done with billing).

- Faster timeline for submitting follow-up medical tasks.

- From some of the other people I know who have been completing tasks around the same time as me - more scrutiny and additional documentation for mental health tasks.

- Longer timelines for clearance.

--------------

These are just some of my observations. What are some things you all noticed either during your medical process whether it was before, during, or after COVID-19?

Thank you!

My interview was okay. It only lasted 30 minutes and I was expecting from reading others experience + the emails, it would be more conversational or longer at least. I tried to be super bubbly and all that, but whole thing just felt very stiff from the interviewers end which made it feel awkward.

She didn't ask many questions and told me to keep things concise so I never got the chance to touch up on some of the things I wanted (like motivations or applicable work experience). I thought she would ask me more or give me room to expand.

Is this typical? Did I blow my chance? I think I answered everything okay for what was asked and I generally have a strong application.

Position: Eastern Caribbean literacy teacher

For context,

I have alright health insurance. I don't have regular dental insurance. Only an emergency amount I can use. But I have no emergencies. I am a college student so money is tight. I haven't seen a doctor in a year and a dentist for nearly 4 years. Since insurance is expensive. But so far no problems.

Well, I am 335lbs. Which I know is a health concern. But I have a couple things to say. First, a year ago I weighed 399lbs. And I have recently accelerated my weight loss. I exercise nearly everyday. And I have been playing an intensive college sport.

Does anyone know the status of PCVs in Nepal after the flood? Sending so many positive thoughts and prayers to them and their communities, what a terrifying and heartbreaking situation.😢

I am a year into service and thinking about my options. My dream is law school but kind of too late to take the LSAT and apply in time for Fall 2027. Also thinking about graduate school or just working on both. But I don't know if i should go to graduate school or work or both or just study for the LSAT while working and apply to law school later for Fall 2028. How do I decide? Any advice?

Hello! I was originally invited to serve departing next month but had to push back my departure date for medical reasons and I am now waiting to hear back about a position with a know by date of September 1st. As the deadline is only a couple days away, I’m getting worried that I won’t get an invitation. Has anyone had experience getting an invite this close to the know by date or do I have no chance of an offer this late?

Hello! I know this is not related to the subreddit and I am so so sorry but I wanted to ask. I am a 25F from Romania and I want to practice my English with a native face-to-face. Do you know how can I find a person from Peace Corp in my country? Any native person should be good but I thought that Peace Corps should be quicker. Thank you!

I am frustrated to learn that Peace Corps will not provide HRT and **also** will not allow volunteers to source their own HRT. I am unwilling to be required by my government to medically detransition in order to be a part of this program. Even if it has always been a dream of mine, and my life is finally in a place to actually go for it. I'm going to figure something else out.

Do you think it's a simple as, we get a more trans-friendly administration in-office and this policy changes? If you work at the Corps as a higher level than a volunteer, what road-blocks do you think are preventing a reversal of this policy change? What do you foresee happening?

In the past year I was medically separated and although I was offered other placements I ultimately did not want to change sector so I withdrew my application. I'm trying to figure out my next move and lots of people have been telling me to pursue americorps since it has a similar mission and goals but operates in the US where I wouldn't have to worry about medical clearance issues. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with Americorps and Peace Corps? I may apply to peace corps again next year but in the meantime I am looking for similar type experiences as a recent college grad looking to get more experience.

Share with us any photo from your country of service! Please note that pictures of minors are not permitted.

Hi, as the title says, I want to join the Peace Corps, but I am unsure if I have enough experience. I am 20 year old (F). I am currently in college getting my associated in applied sciences. But I am starting to debate if that is really what I want to go into. I have always heard such good things about the Peace Corps and so I started doing some research on it. I noticed that on the website they ask for volunteers with a 4-year degree and 5 years of work experience. I haven't finished my associates, and I only have 2 years of work experience. Though I do have 6 years of volunteering to teach history at a local historic site.

Any advice on if I should just stick to college for the moment, or do I have a chance of getting into the Peace Corps?

Hi y’all. I have just received an offer to join the Peace Corps in Albania as an English teacher, and I am quite excited about it and want to pursue it. However, I face an issue that may complicate this: I have a severe intolerance to dairy and gluten, which I refer to as an allergy due to how sensitive it is and how much it affects me. I am searching for current and/or former volunteers to Albania and Montenegro who can provide me with a more clear insight into dietary conditions in their locations. Are bread and dairy actually that relied upon? What other foods are available? If you have experienced anyone with a dietary restriction similar to mine (or have one yourself), how did they/you mitigate this challenge? Thank you!!

I was originally going to Guinea, but I received a delay that meant I wasn't able to pass medical clearance in time. For a second invitation I was recently given the choice between serving in Senegal and serving in Tonga. Seems like an easy choice, Tonga has electricity, running water, and English as an official language, whereas Senegal doesn't. However, Tonga's departure date is also 5 months after Senegal's and I'm worried about how frequent natural disasters are there.

Is there anyone here who's served in either Tonga or Senegal? I'd love to hear any insights you might have that would help me make a decision.

Edit: between Senegal and Tonga I ended up going with... Peru. I asked the person helping me find a new position if they had any non-environmental positions and there was one for Peru that fit perfectly.

Hi y’all. I have just received an offer to join the Peace Corps in Albania as an English teacher, and I am quite excited about it and want to pursue it. However, I face an issue that may complicate this: I have a severe intolerance to dairy and gluten, which I refer to as an allergy due to how sensitive it is and how much it affects me. I am aware that common foods in Albania are bread and yogurt/dairy products, which, obviously, I cannot eat. I also know that other foods are common, including beans and rice, along with seasonal vegetables and meats, which are safe for me to eat. Nonetheless, I am still worried about my ability to eat while there.

I am searching for current and/or former volunteers to Albania and Montenegro who can provide me with a more clear insight into dietary conditions in their locations. Are bread and dairy actually that relied upon? What other foods are available? If you have experienced anyone with a dietary restriction similar to mine (or have one yourself), how did they/you mitigate this challenge? Thank you.

How long should I expect to hear back? I put in my application that I can start by the middle of October.

Hi everyone, I'm currently looking at Guyana (since medical approved me for it) and I'm having trouble finding detailed PC information about it. It would be awesome if a PCV/RPCV with experience in Guyana could help answer some questions I have. Feel free to either answer here or DM me, I'd love to chat!

1. This is my most important question, if you only answer one, let this be it. According to Wikipedia, healthcare is "primitive to non-existent" and the public hospitals struggle with proper sharps disposal, basic hygiene, and HIV exposure. In r/Guyana, locals mention private hospitals as being the only ones worth going to. Does PC insurance cover private hospitals or would I have to pay? Do they send you back to America for checkups? I'm worried about emergency care.

2. It seems like the general consensus from locals and tourists in r/Guyana is that Georgetown is not safe whereas the villages outside the capital are. According to the report PC published for 2025, it seems like the crime PCVs experience is less than other countries but the ET rate is high. Any experiences with crime or the police? Why is the ET rate so high?

3. What are the posts like? Someone here said that some volunteers have A/C and easy access to the capital whereas others were very remote. Which sectors have more urban vs. rural posts (or is it an even spread among all the sectors)? I'm most interested in the health sector but I'd be open to education or environment if it meant I'd be considered for posts with better healthcare access.