{"product_id":"the-insiders-guide-to-the-peace-corps-isbn-9781580089708","title":"The Insider's Guide to the Peace Corps","description":"\u003cb\u003eSo, you want to join the Peace Corps . . .\u003c\/b\u003e  If you are interested in joining the Peace Corps, you probably have questions that run the gamut from \"What is the application process like?\" to \"Is the Peace Corps effective as a development agency?\" In this updated second edition, former Peace Corps volunteer Dillon Banerjee shares candid facts and insights about the experience in a practical question-and-answer format. With input from recently returned volunteers who served across the globe, this thorough guide presents valuable information including: \u003cb\u003e•   What Peace Corps recruiters look for in your application•   Items you should--and shouldn't---pack for your two-year trip•   Useful gadgets and technology that help volunteers stay connected from far away•   Real answers to personal questions about culture shock, safety, dating, homesickness, and more\u003c\/b\u003e Whether you're thinking of joining or have already been accepted and are preparing to leave, \u003ci\u003eThe Insider's Guide to the Peace Corps\u003c\/i\u003e will help equip you for the unique challenges and rewards of the volunteer experience, regardless of your program area or country assignment. It's essential reading for anyone interested in \"the toughest job you'll ever love.\" Contents\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgments   i\u003cbr\u003ePeace Corps Acronyms   x\u003cbr\u003ePreface   1\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI. Pre-Application Jitters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   1.   What is the application process like? How long does it take?   4\u003cbr\u003e   2.   Am I qualified to join the Peace Corps?   9\u003cbr\u003e   3.   What if I'm married and we both want to join?   11\u003cbr\u003e   4.   Can I serve in the Peace Corps with my boyfriend or girlfriend?   13\u003cbr\u003e   5.   What will my Peace Corps experience be like if I'm an \"older\" volunteer?   14\u003cbr\u003e   6.   What will my Peace Corps experience be like if I'm gay?   16\u003cbr\u003e   7.   What will my Peace Corps experience be like if I'm a minority?   18\u003cbr\u003e   8.   Will the two years go by quickly or slowly?   20\u003cbr\u003e   9.   Will I be lonely?   22\u003cbr\u003e   10.   What will I miss the most?   24\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eII.   How to Pack for a Two-Year Trip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   11.   What should I bring?   26\u003cbr\u003e   12.   Can I really pack only eighty pounds to take with me?   30\u003cbr\u003e   13.   What kinds of games and toys should I bring?   32\u003cbr\u003e   14.   How many books should I bring?   33\u003cbr\u003e   15.   What about the water? Will I need a purifier?   34\u003cbr\u003e   16.   Can I bring my pet overseas with me?   36\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIII. Peace Corps Training—Learning the Ropes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   17.   What is training like?   38\u003cbr\u003e   18.   How hard will it be to learn the language? What language(s) will I learn?   41\u003cbr\u003e   19.   Will I have enough technical training to do my job?   43\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIV. Managing Your Money\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   20.   How will I get paid? Where will I keep my money?   46\u003cbr\u003e   21.   Will I have enough money? Should I bring extra money with me?   48\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eV. Living Like the Locals\u003cbr\u003e   22.   Will I live in a mud hut? Will I have electricity or running water?   52\u003cbr\u003e   23.   How will I wash my clothes? Do my dishes? Clean my house?   55\u003cbr\u003e   24.   What is the food like?   57\u003cbr\u003e   25.   What if I'm a vegetarian?   58\u003cbr\u003e   26.   Can I buy or adopt a pet overseas?   60\u003cbr\u003e   27.   How will my neighbors and colleagues view me?   61\u003cbr\u003e   28.   How will I travel around my work area?   63\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eVI. Common Medical and Safety Concerns\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   29.   Will I get sick?   66\u003cbr\u003e   30.   Will I get worms?   68\u003cbr\u003e   31.   Will I lose weight? Gain weight?   70\u003cbr\u003e   32.   What medical services will be available to me?   71\u003cbr\u003e   33.   What if I become too sick to reach help?   74\u003cbr\u003e   34.   What if I get pregnant or impregnate someone while I'm in the Peace Corps?   75\u003cbr\u003e   35.   Is AIDS a big concern for Peace Corps volunteers?   77\u003cbr\u003e   36.   What if there is a crisis and I have to be evacuated from my post?   79\u003cbr\u003e   37.   Do local police and government officials harass volunteers?   80\u003cbr\u003e   38.   Is sexual harassment a problem for female volunteers?   81\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eVII. Staying in Touch with Home\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   39.   How will I receive mail in the Peace Corps?   84\u003cbr\u003e   40.   Will people be able to send me things through the embassy's diplomatic mail pouch?   88\u003cbr\u003e   41.   Can I get magazine subscriptions sent to me?   89\u003cbr\u003e   42.   Will I be able to call the States?   90\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eVIII. Peace Corps Gadgets and Technology\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   43.    Will I have access to the Internet?   94\u003cbr\u003e   44.   Should I bring my laptop?   96\u003cbr\u003e   45.   Will I be able to use a cell phone in the field?   98\u003cbr\u003e   46.   Should I bring a digital camera? GPS unit? MP3 player?   100\u003cbr\u003e   47.   Do I need a shortwave radio?   102\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIX. The Social Scene\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   48.   How close will I live to another volunteer?   104\u003cbr\u003e   49.   How often will I see other volunteers?   106\u003cbr\u003e   50.   What is the drug and alcohol situation like?   108\u003cbr\u003e   51.   What is the dating scene like in the Peace Corps?   110\u003cbr\u003e   52.   What happens if I want to marry a host country national?   112\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eX. The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love? \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   53.   What is the work schedule like?   114\u003cbr\u003e   54.   How much supervision is there for volunteers in the field?   115\u003cbr\u003e   55.   Will I work with other international development agencies while I'm overseas?   117\u003cbr\u003e   56.   Is the Peace Corps effective as a development agency?   119\u003cbr\u003e   57.   What are some common criticisms of the Peace Corps?   121\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eXI. Rules to Live By—Peace Corps Policy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   58.   Will I be able to have friends and family visit from the States?   124\u003cbr\u003e   59.   How often do volunteers quit before their two years are over?   126\u003cbr\u003e   60.   What is the procedure for quitting early?   129\u003cbr\u003e   61.   Can I get kicked out of the Peace Corps?   131\u003cbr\u003e   62.   How many volunteers extend their service beyond the first two years?   133\u003cbr\u003e   63.   Will I be overseas for the whole two years or can I come home in between?   135\u003cbr\u003e   64.   Can I transfer programs if I don't like what I'm doing?   136\u003cbr\u003e   65.   Can I transfer countries if I don't like where I am?   138\u003cbr\u003e   66.   Will I have access to embassy, commissary, and American Club services?   139\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eXII. Traveling Like a Pro\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   67.   Will I have the opportunity to travel much during my two years as a volunteer?   142\u003cbr\u003e   68.   Can I travel to other countries after my Peace Corps service is over?   144\u003cbr\u003e   69.   Will I be issued a diplomatic passport?   146\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eXIII. Post–Peace Corps\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   70.   How hard is readjusting to life back in the States?   148\u003cbr\u003e   71.   Does the Peace Corps look good on a resume? Will it help me get into graduate school?   151\u003cbr\u003e   72.   What is \"noncompetitive eligibility\" and what can it do for me?   153\u003cbr\u003e   73.   Can I bring my Peace Corps pet back to the States with me?   154\u003cbr\u003e   74.   Would you go back and do the Peace Corps all over again?   155\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendices\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   A.   Peace Corps General Facts   158\u003cbr\u003e   B.   Peace Corps Country Map   159\u003cbr\u003e   C.   Peace Corps Programs Overview   160\u003cbr\u003e   D.   Medical Information for Applicants   163\u003cbr\u003e   E.   Peace Corps Master's International Program   166\u003cbr\u003e   F.   Peace Corps Regional Offices   169\u003cbr\u003e   G.   Peace Corps Information Online   171\u003cbr\u003e   H.    Vegetarian Questionnaire   173\u003cbr\u003e   I.   Romantic Involvement Worksheet   175\u003cbr\u003e   J.   Joining Peace Corps as a Couple   176\u003cbr\u003e   K.   Volunteering at Age 50+   177\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIndex   179\u003cbr\u003eAbout the Author   182\u003cp\u003e\"Dillon Banerjee has done a great service to anyone interested in becoming a  Peace Corps volunteer. He offers a wealth of practical information and realistic,  straightforward advice on key topics like foreign language competence, work  requirements and challenges, and housing. I highly recommended this book.\"\u003cbr\u003e—A. Peter Burleigh, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1997–1999), U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldive Republic (1995–1997), and Peace Corps Volunteer, Nepal (1963–1965)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A must read for anyone considering ‘the toughest job you’ll ever love,’ Dillon Banerjee’s honest and thorough guide provides advice for every stage of the journey. ...Banerjee offers straightforward answers without any insincere fluff.” \u003cbr\u003e—Sierra Club “The Green Life” Blog\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“the perfect way to present information to readers who are undoubtedly brimming with very specific questions—about issues (seemingly) large and small—that no one else can seem to answer.”\u003cbr\u003e—Campus Career Counselor\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eDILLON BANERJEE\u003c\/b\u003e served as an agroforestry volunteer in the Peace Corps from 1994 to 1996 in Belo, Cameroon. He currently works as a U.S. diplomat in Lisbon, Portugal, where he is the director of the American Embassy's International Trade program.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHE AUTHOR SCOOP\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRead any good books lately? \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was on a roll a while back with books like \u003ci\u003eBlindness, Bel Canto, Life of Pi, Perfume\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Road\u003c\/i\u003e. I just started \u003ci\u003eThe Friends of the Earth\u003c\/i\u003e by T.C. Boyle and am hopeful.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat was the hardest thing about writing a book?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving it edited. After laboring for endless hours over the manuscript, my initial reaction to recommended changes was usually denial. Nothing could be changed because it was so obviously perfect. Between my wife and the top-notch editors at Ten Speed, however, I came to accept that too many cooks can't spoil the broth when it comes to polishing a book manuscript.  Revisions usually translate to improvements.          \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's the first concert you ever attended?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTenth grade, Siouxsie and the Banshees at Warner Theater in Washington, DC. I had my black jeans, black sneakers, and black concert-T on, but felt like a preppie as I watched grown men in ballroom gowns scaling the stage speakers and jumping into the crowd below.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKnow any good jokes?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy five-year-old son loves to tell this knock-knock joke:\u003cbr\u003eKnock knock\u003cbr\u003eWho's there?\u003cbr\u003eNobody.\u003cbr\u003eNobody who?\u003cbr\u003e…(silence)…\u003cbr\u003eDon't know why, but it still kind of cracks me up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's the farthest you've ever traveled?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy second assignment in the Foreign Service was to Moscow, Russia, where I served as a Commercial Officer at the Embassy for two years. About halfway through my tour, I was asked to lead a business delegation to the capital city in Siberia – Novosibirsk. Russia is an enormous country with 11 time zones; it's shorter to fly from Moscow to Boston than Moscow to Vladivostok (in the far east). My flight to Novosibirsk carried me over vast expanses of nothingness, and when I landed, I spammed friends and family in the States with SMS's just to tell them that I was in Siberia. In truth, Novosibirsk is a nice town with over a million people, replete with a metro system, opera house, cafes, university, and a huge manmade lake (the Ob Sea). Still, it felt way off the beaten path.\u003cb\u003e1  What is the application process like? How long does it take? \u003c\/b\u003eThe application process can be arduous and seemingly endless. The Peace Corps receives over two hundred thousand inquiries each year from people interested in applying. Tens of thousands of those people submit applications, and only a fraction is eventually accepted. Besides the fact that the Peace Corps is a government agency--which, by definition, means it can be slow and bureaucratic--the sheer number of applicants combined with the excruciating detail each must provide on the application forms make it easy to understand why the review process can last up to a year. The Peace Corps tells potential recruits that three personality traits are invaluable during the application process: persistence, patience, and a sense of humor. Persistence is required because, try as they may, the Peace Corps does not always review every application and forward every file in a timely manner. Every so often you'll need to prod and encourage them to keep the process moving. I knew an applicant who, after submitting his completed application, sat back and waited to hear from the Peace Corps. He never followed up with calls; he never thought to check on the status of his application. After almost six months of waiting, he received a letter notifying him that his application had been deemed \"inactive.\" Apparently, having never heard from him, his recruiter assumed he had lost interest in joining. Patience is a virtue for Peace Corps applicants simply because, even if you are persistent and hound the office with weekly calls, the entire process may take anywhere from four to twelve months. Why does it take so long? Because there are several steps one must take to navigate successfully through the system. In a nutshell, they are: 1.  Filling out the application. This is no easy feat, though it has been made a bit less cumbersome now that the entire process can be completed online. From Peace Corps' official website (www.peacecorps.gov), you can create an account that allows you to access the application and complete it in stages at your convenience. You can also track your progress so you know where you are in the process at any given time. That said, the application still consists of seventeen distinct sections ranging from queries on personal and legal information to military status, language skills, and employment history. The Peace Corps demands an account of every relevant course, internship, summer job, and hobby that may qualify you for one of their programs. You must provide three references (one professional, one personal, and one from a volunteer work supervisor) and write two five hundred-word essays (detailing your motivation to apply, and any past cross-cultural experiences). The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) estimates that the Peace Corps application should take approximately eight hours to complete. In reality, expect to be filling in the blanks for days, if not weeks, due to the amount and depth of information requested. If you are unable to access or complete the forms online, you can request that Peace Corps send you hard copies so you can put pen to paper. 2.  Passing an interview. Once your application has been reviewed, the Peace Corps determines whether or not you \"fit\" into any of their program areas. If you do, you will be called into the nearest Peace Corps office for an interview with a recruiter. If you are unable to attend in person, the interview may be conducted over the phone. This step of the process is a major screening tool for the Peace Corps. It is their forum for evaluating your level of commitment, maturity, and experience, and it is your golden opportunity to sell yourself, your skills, and your ambition. During the interview, expect to be grilled on your reasons for wanting to join, your expectations, your hopes and fears, your strengths and weaknesses, and your preferences with regard to the Peace Corps' geographic and program areas. They may also ask you whether or not you are dating anyone seriously--a red flag to help them identify volunteers who may quit before their two-year commitments are fulfilled (see questions 59 and 60 for more on early termination [ET]). You should treat the interview as you would any other job interview. Be professional, confident, assertive, and prepared. Many applicants assume they can wear shorts and a T-shirt, or show up without preparation since it's an interview for the Peace Corps. Recruiters will be turned off by that. They are not looking for applicants who come across as extremely liberal or laid-back; they're looking for the best-qualified applicants among thousands of competitors.  3.  Securing a nomination. Assuming the interview goes well, your recruiter will \"nominate\" you for one of the Peace Corps' programs. Possibilities include education, youth outreach, community development, business development, environment, agriculture, health, HIV\/AIDS, and information technology. For a complete description of Peace Corps programs, refer to appendix C. If you aren't slotted for a program that interests you, this would be the time to speak with your recruiter about revisiting your qualifications as they may relate to other programs. You'll also be told the region of the world in which you will most likely serve, the language requirements for that region, and your approximate date of departure. On the one hand, receiving such information boosts your morale and provides exciting news for friends and family. On the other hand, once the initial impact wears off, impatience and frustration tend to grow. You'll quickly realize how much of the picture is still missing. You won't know the exact country assignment, the actual date of departure, the specific language(s) you'll be learning, or the details of the projects you will be working on. This is usually the stage that applicants find the most trying. 4.  Physical and legal screening. Step 4 is when you undergo a thorough medical, dental, and legal review, while the Peace Corps checks on all of your references and validates the information provided on your application. The physical, dental, and eye exams can all be conducted by your regular doctors; costs are reimbursed by the Peace Corps. Legal clearances include an FBI background check and a closer look at issues related to financial obligations or debts, dependents, and marital status.  During this stage, your recruiter will also keep his or her eyes peeled for specific openings that suit your qualifications. Timing is everything at this point. If your medical exams go off without a hitch, hound the office to ensure that Peace Corps nurses review your file in a timely manner. Call your recruiter frequently to follow the progress of your background and reference check, and inquire about his or her efforts to place your name in an available and appropriate volunteer slot. 5.  Receiving an invitation. The last stage of the application process is receiving the coveted \"invitation\" for a specific program, in a specific country, leaving on a specific day. You will be invited, for example, to teach English as a second language in Niger, leaving August 3. You'll have only ten days to accept the invitation, so do some quick research and some serious soul-searching to be sure that you are committed and willing to go. If you have doubts about the country to which you've been assigned--perhaps it's predominantly French-speaking, Muslim, and urban, whereas you had your hopes set on Spanish-speaking, animist, and rural--you may want to inquire about other possibilities. Be sure, though, that your doubts are substantial and reasonable, not impulsive or superficial, and communicate them clearly to your recruiter. If you bow out of your initial invitation because you've heard the food stinks and the beaches are dirty, you're likely not to receive another invitation down the line. If you feel your reasons are solid, however, consult your recruiter and ask about other possibilities opening in the near future that may be more in line with your desires and expectations. Stay flexible, and don't come across as demanding. Throughout the application process, remember to maintain a sense of humor. As I mentioned earlier, you're battling a bureaucracy that is deluged annually with paperwork. They deserve kudos for managing to process as much as they do, but to an eager applicant whose life hinges on their decisions, each snag along the way can lead to a nervous breakdown. If you learn to laugh when you'd rather scream, you'll be more likely to emerge from the application process unscathed. When you finally accept an invitation, you can breathe a huge sigh of relief and start spreading the word that you're going overseas to be a Peace Corps volunteer! You can begin reading up on your new country, contacting RPCVs who served there to ask them questions about their experiences and preparing your belongings for a unique packing effort (see question 11). You will have reached the end of a long and winding road, and should enjoy it before the beginning of a much longer and more winding road begins--the actual Peace Corps experience itself! Spend the intervening months between the invitation and departure doing all the things you need and want to do, knowing that it may be two years before you get the chance to do those things again. Say your good-byes, see your favorite band, go to the latest movie, eat your favorite foods, visit good friends, and spend quality time with family. All the while, cherish the fact that you have been selected to embark on an adventure that few others have the privilege of experiencing in their lifetimes, and know that you are about to discover new things about the world, about others, and about yourself.\u003cb\u003e 2  Am I qualified to join the Peace Corps? \u003c\/b\u003eThe Peace Corps is asked this question frequently, and as a result has published a pamphlet entitled \"Life is calling. How far will you go?\" This resource provides an overview of Peace Corps' various program areas, along with the educational and experiential requirements applicants should meet to be considered for each one. I have included the overview as appendix C in this book to give you an idea of the skills needed for accomplishing projects within each program. I also, however, highly recommend that you request the full pamphlet from your local recruiting office, as it goes into greater detail on program prerequisites and desired qualifications.    In addition to specific program requirements, be aware of a few core requirements all applicants must meet before joining the Peace Corps. Volunteers must, for example, be U.S. citizens at least eighteen years old and in good health (there is no upper age limit). Most PCVs (95 percent) have bachelor's degrees, and several have advanced degrees and\/or related prior work experience. Married couples with dependent children are generally not accepted into the Peace Corps unless there is a compelling need for their specific skills; those without dependents may be accepted if both qualify for volunteer assignments (see question 3). All applicants must undergo a comprehensive medical and dental evaluation certifying that they are capable of handling the physical and emotional rigors of Peace Corps service. When completing the application forms, be sure to include every bit of related experience that comes to mind. Oftentimes applicants don't realize how important it is to be absolutely and completely thorough. If you spent a summer helping your mom with gardening in the backyard, you may qualify for the Peace Corps' agriculture or forestry program. If you took a CPR course as part of your Boy Scout merit badge, you may be selected for the health education program. If you took two years of high school Spanish, volunteered for a few days at a food shelter, or organized a backcountry camping expedition with your friends, include it on your application. Roughly 50 percent of PCVs hold liberal arts degrees, which means their technical experience often comes from extracurricular activities, summer jobs, or personal hobbies. No matter how trivial or inane some of your previous experiences may seem to you, if it sounds even remotely related to a Peace Corps program, jot it down.\u003cb\u003e 3  What if I'm married and we both want to join? \u003c\/b\u003eGo for it! Peace Corps statistics show that 7 percent of all volunteers are married. There is even an official one-pager entitled \"Joining Peace Corps as a Couple,\" which addresses the application process, eligibility, and preparation for service (see appendix J). There were a few married Peace Corps volunteers in Cameroon during my time there. One couple had recently retired and were serving as teachers in a vocational school; another were newlyweds who had decided to join the Peace Corps before having kids, mortgages, and all that good stuff. From my observations, both had good experiences and were glad they joined. If you are married and are considering the Peace Corps, though, you should be aware of a few things. First, the application process can be much longer for married couples. The Peace Corps places volunteers by matching program needs, as determined by requests from host country governments, with the skills of its applicants. Placing two people in the same country simultaneously requires requests from a country for volunteers under both programs for which the two qualify. In other words, if you are nominated to be an agroforestry volunteer and your spouse is slated for the health program, you must wait until a country has openings for both and hope that you can fill those spots simultaneously. There may also be complications if the training schedules for your programs are not synchronized. It may be that agroforestry in-country training starts in June, while health training doesn't start until September. These are just some of the kinks married couples face that may take the Peace Corps some time to iron out. The Peace Corps will also want you to be aware that, if you are married, you may be tempted to lean more on your spouse than on other volunteers or villagers for support, guidance, and companionship. Although, to a degree, this is natural and expected, if taken to an extreme it can result in couples feeling isolated from peers, counterparts, neighbors, and friends. Tensions can also arise if one spouse acculturates more easily, proves more adept at learning languages, or is more technically proficient than the other. These tensions may be exacerbated in newlyweds who haven't yet had the chance to mature in their marriages. Perhaps for this reason, married couples have a slightly higher ET rate than single volunteers, which is something to bear in mind. Don't be discouraged, however, as the majority of married couples in the Peace Corps have served successfully and rewardingly. My advice is to contact the Peace Corps or send out inquiries on the Internet to communicate with returned volunteers who served with their spouses, and ask them about their experiences and for their counsel.  \u003cb\u003e 4  Can I serve in the Peace Corps with my boyfriend or girlfriend? \u003c\/b\u003eNo. The only way to enter the Peace Corps with a partner and be posted in the same village is to be married. Otherwise there are no guarantees that the two of you will even end up on the same continent. In fact, if you are involved in a serious relationship, be aware that the Peace Corps will inquire about the nature of that relationship during the application process. If they perceive it to be potentially problematic, they may have you complete a Romantic Involvement Worksheet used to \"educate\" applicants on the ways in which a Peace Corps commitment can strain personal relationships (see appendix I). If they conclude that your emotional attachment is substantial, it will count as a strike against you. This is because a significant number of people who early terminate do so as a direct result of feeling homesick for their boyfriends or girlfriends. Many people get so wrapped up in the adventurous and romantic notion of becoming a Peace Corps volunteer in a foreign country, that they underestimate the feelings of isolation, loneliness, and insecurity that arise from time to time during the experience--feelings that may be compounded if the volunteer has left someone special back home. Most volunteers I know who left a boyfriend or girlfriend behind to join the Peace Corps were not in those relationships two years down the road. Distance and time are two skilled assassins of even the strongest bonds, and in the Peace Corps, they tend to be armed and dangerous.","brand":"Ten Speed Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46305165279461,"sku":"NP9781580089708","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781580089708.jpg?v=1767739951","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-insiders-guide-to-the-peace-corps-isbn-9781580089708","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}