peace corps volunteer essay

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All Things Peace Corps

My Peace Corps Motivation Statement

Thirty years ago, I called the Peace Corps office to ask about applying. Instead I took a job as an engineer in Kansas City. But over the years I have continued to think about joining the Peace Corps. Twice I even started filling out the application but always chose something else. The funny thing is that with all my travels, everyone assumed I was already somehow part of the Peace Corps. But after I came home from Mongolia, again the thoughts of the Peace Corps kept coming up in my mind. Some credit should come from my friendships with several Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia, especially Travis and Bonnie. In January I finally filled out and sent in an application.

On February 6, a day before my 55th birthday, I had my interview what went extremely well and I was nominated to be a “Secondary English Teacher Trainer” to leave in October. I’ve been pre-medically cleared and sent in my fingerprints for an FBI background check. Now everything has been sent to the Placement office in Washington DC and I am waiting for my “official” invitation that will tell me where I will be going. So you could say this is the start of the next chapter in “Wandering the World”.

I thought I would share one of the essays I was asked to write for the application:

Motivation Statement: Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. Please provide a statement that includes:

• Your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer; and 
• How these reasons are related to your past experience and life goals. 
• How you expect to satisfy the Peace Corps 10 Core Expectations.

When I was much younger, my mother used to gather up my other three brothers and I, to do volunteer work, usually delivering food to shut-ins. I was too young to understand her commitment to helping others less fortunate even though we were not much better off than those she helped. But now, much older and hopefully much wiser, I see I have come full circle. For the last four years as a volunteer ESL teacher at a Buddhist Center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and before that as a Physical Therapist Assistant working with the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, I know how I help others on a daily basis is much more important than money or things. In Mongolia I discovered that helping others toward their hopes and dreams was a vocation and not just a job. My only aspiration is to continue to be of help to others, in any way possible, for as long as possible. I have been fortunate to meet many Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia and count a few as good friends still. What always impressed me was how the Peace Corps training and organization helped individuals make huge contributions to the places in which they worked. With 50+ years of experience with almost a quarter of a million volunteers sent worldwide, I see the Peace Corps as an organization that can help people like me help others in ways we haven’t even thought about yet. Although I have traveled a lot and done many things others only dream about, my experience in Mongolia was like starting fresh because instead of just traveling through a country and experiencing a people and its culture, I was actually living there experiencing it first hand every day like the Mongolians themselves experienced it. From a western standpoint, Mongolia, like many developing countries, has its difficulties with so many things we take for granted. And for many foreigners, it’s a huge lesson in frustration. But what helped me most was learning from the Mongolians themselves on how to take what came along with grace and patience even though it was just as frustrating for them as other things were for me. My past experience tells me that if I am invited to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, I know I will probably receive more than I give. But that just makes me want to give even more, both to the people and communities I would serve but also as a tribute to my mother and those like her back in the America, who strive everyday to help others in need, for no other reward than the giving.

I would also like to thank Ani Gyalmo, Deb Ward and Travis Hellstrom for writing my recommendation letters. I know they were another factor in my nomination. Thank you.

So, stay tuned for my next adventure. [smile]

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About Jim Damico

My name is Jim. And I have served in the Peace Corps in Thailand, Mongolia, Nepal, and now Armenia. I set up this website to help others interested in PC or already serving. For more info click the "About" link at the top of the page.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Goals — My Motivation to Join the Peace Corps

My Motivation to Join The Peace Corps

• Categories: Peace Corps Personal Goals

About this sample

Words: 858 |

Published: Sep 1, 2020

Words: 858 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works Cited:

• Doan, H. (2007). Police dogs will sniff out drugs at city schools. The Roanoke Times.
• Mayo Clinic. (2019). Drug addiction (substance use disorder).
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (third edition).
• New York Times. (2009). Drug-sniffing dogs are in demand.
• Psychological Studies and Support to Drug Users. (2014). Teenagers and drug use: Facts and figures.
• Smith, M. J., & Stevens, A. (Eds.). (2013). Drug Policy and the Public Good.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Treatment for substance use disorders.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). World drug report 2021.
• Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.

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The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society Essay

Every day, millions of citizens around the world feel a need to channel their social and moral values through occupation. Some of them choose professions connected with helping people. Others participate in social movements or become members of charitable and nonprofit organizations. Sociologists define this sort of social commitment (altruism) “as behavior that is motivated primarily out of a consideration another’s needs rather than one’s own” (Kallman, 2015, p. 73). Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps volunteer program unites about 240,000 Americans, who are driven by the idea to change the life of millions of people in the world for better promoting social and economic development through technical assistance.

The Peace Corps is an agency run by the United States government that train and send volunteers to work and live in communities worldwide. According to the report made by Curt Tarnoff (2016), volunteers “serve at the grassroots level in villages and towns across the globe to meet its three-point legislative mandate of promoting world peace and friendship by improving the lives of those they serve” (p.1). Since 1961, over 240,000 volunteers have served in about 140 countries. Currently, volunteers are engaged in six sectors: agriculture, environment, community economic development, health, education, and youth in development.

Agriculture volunteers aim at helping small-scale farmers to increase production and food security. They assist farmers in introducing technologies that prevent soil erosion, minimize the use of pesticides, and replenish the soil. Concerning environmental goals, Peace Corps volunteers teach principles of ecological awareness to members of local communities, encouraging them to conserve the local environment.

Peace Corps members are also engaged in helping communities to create economic opportunities. Volunteers frequently teach business owners to develop and market their products. Promotion of basic hygiene, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal and child health in communities is the highest priority as well. The Peace Corps organization introduces HIV/ AIDS education and prevention projects. At the same time, there are programs created to support community members who have been already affected by HIV/ AIDS (Glass, Cochran & Davidson, 2015, p. 1150). The most significant program area of the organization is education. Peace Corps’ teachers work in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools.

In addition to their primary work, volunteers get involved in other work activities in the communities, such as teaching English and youth sport. Peace Corps volunteers have been assigned to library projects throughout the history of the program. Researchers claim that “in the early years, professional librarians were recruited and assigned to work in public and academic libraries in such places as Botswana, Colombia, Fiji, and Morocco” (Constantinou, Miller, & Schlesinger, 2016, p.148). As cross-cultural and intercultural skills are vital for successful Peace Corps service, recruiters and placement officers estimate the suitability of potential candidates for the service, as well as evaluate if they can live and work abroad for twenty-seven months.

The Peace Corps is an organization with a long and significant history. For many years, thousands of Americans have been trained to participate in volunteer activity, which encourages and enables the growth, development, and well-being of millions of people across the globe. As the work of the Peace Corps members covers almost all vital social spheres, their efforts are of great importance and cannot be overestimated.

Constantinou, C., Miller, M.J., & Schlesinger, K. (Eds.). (2016). International Librarianship: Developing professional, intercultural, and educational leadership . New York, NY: SUNY Press.

Glass, N., Cochran, W., & Davidson, P.M. (2015). Transformational experiences a key to improving global health: The role of the Peace Corps . Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24 (9-10).

Kallman, M. E. (2015). Material, emotional and professional dynamics: Idealism, commitment and self-regulation in the Peace Corps. In: FX. de Vaujany, N. Mitev, G.F. Lanzara, & A. Mukherjee (Eds.) Materiality, rules and regulation. Technology, work and globalization . (pp. 73-99). London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Tarnoff, C. (2016). The Peace Corps: Current issues . (CRS Report RS21168). Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service.

• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2022, September 10). The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-peace-corps-mission-and-contribution-to-the-society/

"The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society." IvyPanda , 10 Sept. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/the-peace-corps-mission-and-contribution-to-the-society/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society'. 10 September.

IvyPanda . 2022. "The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society." September 10, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-peace-corps-mission-and-contribution-to-the-society/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society." September 10, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-peace-corps-mission-and-contribution-to-the-society/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Peace Corps Mission and Contribution to the Society." September 10, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-peace-corps-mission-and-contribution-to-the-society/.

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A Guide to Peace Corps Volunteer Opportunities

By Nick Callos

Updated for 2023-2024

Want to change the world? Serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could enable you to do just that!

Established in 1961, the Peace Corps assists with social and economic development overseas, as well as promotes mutual understanding, peace, and friendship between Americans and people around the world. By volunteering with the Peace Corps, you can immerse yourself in a community abroad and cooperate with local leaders to solve the most pressing challenges.

If you’re not familiar with the process to become a Peace Corps volunteer, it helps to take time to learn how it works and how you can get accepted for a position. If possible, you should talk with the Peace Corps and past Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) to get a better idea of what the experience is like. Reading articles online, like this one, also helps!

In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about volunteering with the Peace Corps. We’ll go over where you could volunteer and the types of assignments you could take. Additionally, we’ll detail any skills, education, and experience you may need, as well as provide tips for the Peace Corps volunteer application process.

Furthermore, since the Peace Corps doesn’t suit everyone, and not all applicants get offered an assignment, we’ll provide some great alternatives, such as volunteering with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) , GoEco , and Maximo Nivel.

Let’s continue!

What is the Peace Corps?

The Peace Corps has a mission to promote world peace and friendship and assist with social and economic development. The agency does this through education , community, healthcare , agriculture, and environmental initiatives. Peace Corps volunteers work for the world and create bonds between Americans and the communities abroad that they serve.

While the volunteer abroad organizations you read about on Volunteer Forever are non-governmental organizations, charities, and nonprofits, the Peace Corps is a volunteer program overseen by the United States government. The Peace Corps began in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy issued a call to action to the country : Serve your nation and contribute to peace by working and living in the developing world.

President Kennedy first issued that call at the University of Michigan. Though the speech didn’t go long, the idea captivated the imagination of the country. And the Peace Corps received enthusiastic support from the beginning.

Since 1961, Peace Corps volunteers have displayed ingenuity, empathy, and grit as they’ve worked on solving the most critical issues. To date, more than 240,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served across 142 countries, from Ghana to Cambodia to Ecuador .

What countries does the Peace Corps serve?

You can serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in many countries around the world. Currently, more than 7,300 Peace Corps volunteers are serving across 61 countries. 45% of Peace Corps volunteers serve in countries in Africa . The next most common destinations are countries in Central and South America (19%), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (13%), and Asia (12%). You’ll also find Peace Corps roles in the Pacific in countries like Fiji and in North Africa and the Middle East in countries like Morocco.

In 2020 (pre-COVID as the Peace Corps has just resumed sending volunteers overseas), the countries with the most Peace Corps volunteers include:

• Dominican Republic

In each country, Peace Corps volunteers help society meet their need for trained women and men. They promote a better understanding of Americans among locals, as well as gain a better understanding of the local culture and people. This is why the Peace Corps is crucial to maintaining positive relations between America and countries around the globe.

Many top Peace Corps countries are ones on our list of the best places to volunteer abroad . These include amazing destinations like Costa Rica , Thailand , and South Africa . As you can see, when you volunteer with the Peace Corps, you can do good, learn about another culture, and have the time of your life!

Note: The countries that the Peace Corps serves change from time to time. When you apply to the Peace Corps, check the updated list of countries. Volunteer programs may stop in some countries each year and begin in others.

If you’d like to volunteer in a certain country and find that the Peace Corps doesn’t have openings there, check our guidebooks for other volunteer opportunities in that country. Whether you want to volunteer in Madagascar or volunteer in Argentina , we have programs to recommend for you!

Who can join the Peace Corps?

To join the Peace Corps, you must meet two mandatory requirements. You must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be 18 years or older

For Peace Corps volunteer roles, you also must be able to commit to 27 months of service. Assignments first involve three months of training in-country. After training, you’re placed on a two-year assignment abroad.

If you can’t commit that much time, you could serve as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer . This is a specialized short-term role that requires more experience and skills than standard volunteer positions. Service time is 3-12 months.

Frequently asked questions people have about Peace Corps requirements include:

• Is the Peace Corps only for American citizens?
• How old do you have to be to join the Peace Corps?
• Do you need a college degree to join the Peace Corps?
• Do I need to speak a foreign language?
• Is there an age limit to joining the Peace Corps?

You don’t need a college degree, though having a degree will enable you to qualify for more Peace Corps positions (and therefore get you an assignment more quickly). Similarly, speaking a foreign language isn’t mandatory, but will open up more opportunities for you, as certain roles require the ability to speak Spanish, Arabic, French, or another language.

Moreover, the Peace Corps aims to have a volunteer force that reflects the diversity of the United States. Men and women from a variety of races, ethnic groups, religions, and sexual orientations serve in the Peace Corps. Minorities make up 34% of the volunteer force. This enables the agency to bring diverse perspectives and solutions to issues developing countries face.

Additionally, while many think of Peace Corps volunteering as being geared towards the youth, understand opportunities for all age groups exist. There is no upper age limit. In fact, around 5% of Peace Corps volunteers are over the age of 50.

By the way, if you’re 50 or older, know an abundance of volunteer abroad opportunities are available to you. Read our guide on volunteer abroad opportunities for seniors and retirees .

Since the Peace Corps has two mandatory requirements (you must be 18 and a U.S. citizen), as well as requires a long-term commitment, many folks simply can’t join. Don’t get dismayed about that. You have alternatives to the Peace Corps .

For instance, you could volunteer with the United Nations if you’re a citizen of another country. You could also volunteer with non-governmental volunteer abroad organizations. Organizations such as  International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) and Maximo Nivel have both short- and long-term volunteer opportunities that are similar to Peace Corps assignments.

Or, if you’re still in high school, you could volunteer with an organization that has programs for teens. Projects Abroad , an organization that’s sent more than 125,000 volunteers overseas, has many high school volunteer programs abroad , from childcare volunteering in Nepal to public health internships in Mexico .

What do Peace Corps volunteers do?

Peace Corps volunteers address the most critical problems communities face. For their assignments, Peace Corps volunteers join one of six project sectors:

• Healthcare : Get people the medical services they need
• Education: Teach lessons that will benefit students for a lifetime
• Agriculture : Lead grassroots farming projects and end hunger!
• Community Development: Build strong, sustainable communities
• Environment : Protect the planet and build a greener future
• Youth Development: Empower the next generation.

What you do specifically depends on the needs of the host country and your skills and experience. If you have a background in healthcare, you could fight to end HIV/AIDS . If you graduated with a degree in education, you could teach digital literacy to local youth. Or if you’ve worked in a science-related field, you may take an assignment to manage natural resources.

Going through the list of current openings is a good way to understand what Peace Corps volunteers do. Here are a few examples of the types of jobs Peace Corps volunteers do:

• Main tasks: Raise awareness for preventing malaria, educate community members on neonatal and children’s health, and teach youth health and life skills
• Main tasks: Support local English teachers, lead activities that promote English language education (like English clubs), and run lessons that encourage using English (such as speech competitions)
• Main tasks: Promote more efficient farming production techniques, reduce the use of harmful pesticides, improve the allocation of resources to rural farmers, and enhance the delivery of produce to communities

Whether you’re a recent graduate or mid-career professional, the Peace Corps has volunteer positions to suit you. The Peace Corps can be your bridge towards a career in a certain industry, or a continuation of your life’s work. Sharpen your skills in your field, or take on a new challenge and build your skillset.

Before you apply for a position with the Peace Corps, make sure you meet the requirements, especially the education, language, and experience requirements. You should also make sure the assignment suits you. The Peace Corps is a long-term commitment, and you don’t want to agree to a role that doesn’t suit you. After all, you want to get the most out of the experience.

A good way to see what you’ll enjoy is to volunteer on a short-term project before joining the Peace Corps. For example, through Love Volunteers , an organization known for affordable and impactful service initiatives, you can volunteer for one to two weeks on projects similar to what you’ll find with the Peace Corps. From education support in India to women’s empowerment in Colombia , Love Volunteers offers you many different ways to do good.

Why join the Peace Corps?

Because you can change the world! Peace Corps volunteers enact positive change by promoting peace and friendship. The work of Peace Corps volunteers moves societies towards a brighter future. PCVs help expand access to education and healthcare, develop the next generation of leaders, improve food production, and boost environmental conservation,

If you have a passion for serving others and uplifting those who need it most, volunteering with the Peace Corps will bring you great personal satisfaction. You not only get to help people, but you also get to learn about other peoples and cultures. This will enable you to develop as a person in amazing ways.

Dr. Russell E. Morgan Jr., a former PCV, sums up his experience well:

“My experience as a Peace Corps volunteer was the most important transformational moment in my life, particularly because it provided me with a foundation for my career. Peace Corps service transforms both the volunteer and the community members they serve.”

As Dr. Morgan Jr. notes, volunteering with the Peace Corps benefits both you and the community you serve. The experience also has its professional benefits .

Since you’ll most likely serve in a field related to your education and expertise, your Peace Corps assignment gives you a wonderful opportunity to hone your skills, increase your knowledge, and gain experience working in a cross-cultural setting. You also can improve those important soft skills, such as communication, listening, and empathy. The experience may even help you figure out what you want to do for your next step in life.

Simply put, volunteering with the Peace Corps will make you a much more attractive candidate in your field. That experience gives you two things to put on your resume that employers value: international experience and volunteerism.

As the Association for Talent Development attests, employers like volunteer experience because skills-based volunteering builds leadership capabilities and shows passion and commitment to a cause. And as an article by Global Vision International (GVI) notes, 60% of companies value international experience as it demonstrates an ability to work across cultures, learn and adapt, and solve problems in different ways.

How does the Peace Corps application process work?

Before you begin the Peace Corps application process, make sure you meet the minimum requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.

Now, let’s go over the Peace Corps application process.

1. Select Your Application Route

When you apply to the Peace Corps, you can take one of two routes:

A. Apply directly to a current opening

Search the list of current openings. Apply to the one that best suits your interests, skills, and/or location preferences.

Why should you choose this option:

• You want to volunteer in a specific country, such as Mongolia .
• You have a specific skill-set that’s a great fit for a PCV role (i.e. you have a Master’s degree in Agriculture, so you apply for a volunteer position in agriculture).
• You want to gain more experience in a certain sector, such as education or environmental science.

B. Apply to go anywhere

This puts you into consideration for many Peace Corps positions around the globe. With this route, you can indicate preferences for the project sector and location. This increases the likelihood you’ll get assigned a role that aligns with your interests and goals.

If you choose this route, the Peace Corps provides you a timeframe for deployment. It’s usually within a range of nine months, with the earliest departure date a little more than three months from when you apply.

• You want to get an assignment more quickly. With the first option, you can only apply to one assignment at a time. If you don’t get accepted to the first one or two, you may find the process taking months before even getting selected for an interview. It could take a year or more to even get an invitation.
• You’re flexible and just want to join the Peace Corps.
• You’re willing to volunteer anywhere you’re needed.

Note: Once you choose your route, apply. You’ll have to provide medical information, including immunizations, history, current conditions, and ongoing treatment. This is necessary because you must obtain medical clearance to deploy to the host country.

2. Fill out the Application

The Peace Corps application takes around one to two hours. The Peace Corps application will ask about:

• Your personal and contact information (this even includes financials like student loan obligations)
• Your education, work experience, volunteer history, and relevant activities and qualifications

Required documents include:

• Your resume (1-3 pages)
• A short essay detailing your motivation for serving and reasons for applying
• Three references, such as work manager, college professor, or volunteer supervisor
• Proof of foreign language skills, such as proficiency exam results or an official transcript of college coursework

3. Wait for the Interview

If you qualify for a position, the Peace Corps will contact you to set up an interview via videoconference. Wear professional business casual attire

The Peace Corps gives you the interview questions in advance, so prepare well! Do a mock interview with a friend or colleague to sharpen your interview skills and make you more confident.

In general, expect questions about your motivations for serving and reasons why you chose a specific sector or location. You can also expect questions about international experiences, cross-cultural work and study experiences, times you’ve faced challenges (and how you dealt with it), and how you would adapt to certain situations, like living without electricity or inability to access one’s own religious services.

4. Wait for the Invitation

If you do well in the interview, you’ll get a formal invitation with your departure date. When you accept that invitation, you’ll begin the pre-departure process.

5. Get Medical and Legal Clearance

You must get a medical review so the Peace Corps can determine if they can take care of your needs while you’re abroad. You may have to schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care provider, so allow time for that.

You also need legal clearance. Immediately complete the fingerprint cards you received in the mail after accepting your invitation. The background check can take weeks to several months, so don’t delay.

Additionally, you have to apply for a Peace Corps passport. You possibly need to obtain a visa for your host country, so do that right away.

6. Complete the Onboarding Process

You’ll have to complete online forms two months before departure. The Peace Corps needs things like banking and emergency contact information. If you have student loans, the Peace Corps will also give you a letter to give your lender, certifying your upcoming volunteer assignment.

One month before you go, you’ll watch training videos. This will set expectations and prepare you mentally for your time abroad.

You’ll meet up with fellow Peace Corps volunteers before you hop on the plane. Bon voyage!

Tips for Getting Accepting to the Peace Corps

Before applying, Peace Corps recommends talking with a recruiter so you can understand the application process and volunteer experience better. Applicants that connect with a recruiter have a 55% better chance on average to become a Peace Corps volunteer.

The application is obviously vital to getting an interview. Take it seriously.

If you’re applying to a specific role, emphasize your sector-specific experience. For instance, if you apply to an English teaching position, highlighting that part-time ESL tutor job you held during college will look good on your resume.

You should also emphasize skills that the Peace Corps values, such as:

• Proficiency in a foreign language: Know French , Chinese , Spanish , or another language? Show it off on your resume. Don’t know another language? Then take a language course and enhance your CV.
• Cross-cultural awareness: Have you studied abroad or worked in a multicultural environment? Make sure that’s on your resume.
• Skills in a project sector: Any education or work experience in teaching, agriculture, community development, or science helps.
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills: Your resume should detail your ability to adapt to tough situations and solve problems.
• A passion for volunteerism: Past volunteer experience helps a lot. If you don’t have it, go do something in your hometown or register for a volunteer abroad trip. See our list of affordable volunteer projects here .

In the essay, discuss your cross-cultural experience, commitment to certain causes, and how you would overcome obstacles while serving. Volunteering with the Peace Corps is challenging and doesn’t suit everyone. Prove that you have what it takes to succeed.

You should also research your country of consideration before interviewing. You want to demonstrate you’re serious about working with that community. Your knowledge of the country and local culture will show that.

Finally, apply early and be flexible. The more time you give yourself, the better chance you have to get a suitable Peace Corps position. And if you’re willing to serve anywhere, you open yourself to consideration for more positions. That increases your odds of acceptance greatly!

EXTRA! More Advice!

The process of applying and getting accepted to the Peace Corps takes months or even longer. So, if you have a specific window of time for volunteering abroad, the Peace Corps may not be your best option at the moment.

But don’t worry—you have alternatives. Volunteer organizations such as Projects Abroad can place you on similar assignments in less than a month.

Furthermore, though there are only two mandatory requirements, the Peace Corps is highly competitive. There are simply way more applicants than open positions. According to Peace Corps application data, the agency only offers around 23% of applicants a volunteer position.

Yes, it’s that competitive.

The fact is many roles do require a good deal of education, work experience, and qualifications, such as the ability to speak a foreign language or expertise in a project sector. So, if you don’t get accepted the first time around, don’t let yourself get too upset. Again, you have other options.

For example, you could volunteer with Maximo Nivel , a leading volunteer program provider in Latin America. They have many projects like the Peace Corps’. Interested in farming? Join their eco-agriculture project in Costa Rica. Believe in the power of education? Teach English to children in Peru or Guatemala.

Don’t give up if you don’t get accepted the first time around. Take time to bolster your resume. For instance, being able to add volunteer abroad experience will make your application stand out. Consider doing a short-term volunteer abroad trip and then applying again. Read our guide on short-term volunteer programs here !

Do Peace Corps volunteers get paid?

Peace Corps volunteers do get compensation and benefits. There technically isn’t a Peace Corps salary. Volunteers receive a housing and living stipend that allows them to enjoy a modest standard of living in the host country. Upon completion of their assignment, the Peace Corps gives each volunteer $10,000 for the transition to life back home. This resettlement allowance is relatively substantial and helps volunteers out greatly.

In addition to the housing and living allowance, Peace Corps volunteers enjoy other benefits, such as:

• Potential student loan deferment or forgiveness: Some public student loans are eligible for deferment. Some loans, such as Perkins Loans, may qualify for full or partial Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Ask your lender in advance.
• Travel benefits: All your transportation costs to and from the host country are covered.
• Paid vacation days: You get two paid vacation days per month of service. Use that time to travel, relax, learn the local language, and more!
• Medical and dental insurance: The Peace Corps covers all healthcare-related expenses, including preventative care. If you get injured during your service, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation upon return.
• Career benefits: From TEFL training and certification to resume services to language lessons, you have ample opportunity for learning and development.

The Peace Corps asks a lot of you. In return, they ensure your needs are taken care of while abroad. This way, you can work on what matters: Serving the local community!

How long are Peace Corps volunteer assignments?

Peace Corps assignments last 27 months. It is a long-term commitment, consisting of three months of in-country training and two years on assignment. For many applicants, that length of time isn’t an issue. They view the Peace Corps as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But for others, that may be too long of a commitment.

The Peace Corps offers another option: the Peace Corps Response. Roles within this team last three to 12 months. However, these are highly specialized roles that require a great deal of professional experience and technical expertise.

So, if you’re looking for a short-term volunteer abroad opportunity, consider alternatives, such as service projects with Plan My Gap Year . Through PMGY, you can volunteer for as little as a few weeks to as long as a year. You’ll find roles similar to Peace Corps assignments as well.

What are the best Peace Corps alternatives?

Read our full guide on Peace Corps alternatives here .

There are many reasons to consider Peace Corps alternatives. It could be that:

• You don’t meet the requirements (you’re under 18 or not a U.S. citizen)
• You don’t get selected for a position (more than 75% don’t)
• You’re still waiting for the Peace Corps to contact you
• You don’t have 27 months to commit
• You want to volunteer for a non-governmental organization (Peace Corps is a federal government agency)
• You want to volunteer in a field that’s not one of Peace Corps’ project sectors, such as journalism
• You want to volunteer in a country the Peace Corps doesn’t serve (note: the Peace Corps only works in countries that request volunteers)
• You want to boost your resume before applying to the Peace Corps

So, if you can’t join the Peace Corps, take a look at similar volunteer experiences. You could:

• International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is super affordable and available in over 50 different destinations , including in Bali , South Africa , Costa Rica , Peru , Fiji , Nepal , and Spain . They are the only certified B Corporation volunteer organization, which recognizes them upholding sustainability, inclusivity, and quality for their social and environmental programs.They have supported over 130,000 travelers to volunteer abroad safely since 2007 and have an experienced team of volunteer travel experts who will ensure you are well prepared for your trip. In addition, some of their projects allow college volunteers to gain college credits for their volunteer work! Starting from $20USD a day, volunteers have among 330 plus projects to choose from with volunteer opportunities in Healthcare , Childcare , Teaching , Conservation , Construction , Wildlife and Animal Care , and more.
• GoEco , an organization with a focus on sustainability, has more than 150 affordable programs across 40+ countries. Choose among projects in wildlife conservation , community aid and development , healthcare , and more.
• UN volunteer jobs are open to all nationalities and last six to twelve months. Read our United Nations volunteer guide !
• You can join either a religious or non-religious mission trip. Read our guide on the best mission trips guide .
• You can choose among lots of great non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Agape Volunteers , a UK-registered charity with education, medicine, and conservation programs throughout Africa. Read more about NGO volunteer opportunities here !
• Read our guide on Teaching English overseas .

If you’d like to volunteer abroad sooner rather than later, apply with a volunteer or intern abroad organization. Within weeks, you could be embarking on your service adventure. Below, we’ve highlighted four organizations worth your consideration.

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

Founded in 2007 by Dan Radcliffe, International Volunteer HQ offers over 330 affordable volunteer trips to over 50 destinations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. IVHQ has placed more than 130,000 volunteers around the world on projects ranging from teaching and healthcare, to wildlife conservation and construction, and more. Programs last one week to 24 weeks and start at $20USD a day.

Since 2006, GoEco has offered affordable volunteer abroad programs and internships in over 40 countries throughout Africa , Asia , Australasia , Central America , Europe , the Middle East , and South America . With more than 150 different programs, GoEco is a great organization to check out if you’re looking for a variety of impactful trips to choose from, from wildlife conservation to teaching English . GoEco was recently recognized as the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization from GoAbroad, Top Eco-Enthusiast by Greenmatch, and has been recommended by Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and more. As a volunteer, you will have 24-hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish. Currently, GoEco is offering a special travel grant where you can stay for the 3rd week free! Check out the qualifying programs here !

Maximo Nivel

If you want to do good in Latin American, then put Maximo Nivel at the top of your list. Through Maximo Nivel, you can get your TEFL certification and teach English in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru. Or, you could gain practical experience as you make a difference with an internship in a field like human rights .

Projects Abroad

Established in 1992, Projects Abroad has sent more than 125,000 volunteers and interns abroad. In 2020, Volunteer Forever recognized Projects Abroad as the Best Volunteer Abroad Program. Through Projects Abroad, you can gain experience in fields that the Peace Corps doesn’t offer. For instance, you could do an engineering internship in Sri Lanka or a micro-finance internship in Senegal .

Are you ready to serve in the Peace Corps?

You now understand the Peace Corps volunteer program and how to apply and increase your odds of being accepted. You’re ready to start the process!

If you go with an open mind, a willingness to adapt, and a commitment to your role and the local community, you’ll do tremendous good and have a transformative experience. And when you return home, you’ll be excited about what the future holds.

Remember: It’s hard to get accepted by the Peace Corps. And if you get accepted, you’re expected to commit to a 27-month assignment. Therefore, the Peace Corps isn’t for everyone.

So, if you don’t think the Peace Corps is for you at the moment, think about a short-term volunteer trip instead. You can explore other countries, learn new skills, make friends from around the world, and most importantly, contribute to positive change in disadvantaged communities. Like volunteering with the Peace Corps, a short-term volunteer abroad trip can be a transformative experience.

Most Popular Guidebooks

2024 best volunteer abroad programs, organizations, & projects, medical volunteer abroad programs for doctors, nurses, pre med students, cheap affordable volunteer abroad programs & low cost overseas projects, teens & high school volunteer abroad programs | under 18 mission trips, 200 volunteer abroad & study abroad scholarships & grants, dental volunteer abroad & medical mission trips | dentists & students, volunteer abroad opportunities for seniors and retirees, nursing volunteer abroad projects for students & professional nurses, short term volunteer abroad programs & mission trips (1 week & 2 weeks), long term volunteer work abroad programs & voluntary charity jobs, trending guidebooks, volunteering abroad after the coronavirus outbreak, 2024 best internships abroad: medical care, marine biology & more, volunteer in australia: animals, conservation, ranching and more, 2024 best volunteer abroad programs, organizations, & projects.

Nick Callos · Writer

With a BA in English Literature & Writing from Boston College, Nick researches and writes about volunteer, intern, and teach abroad programs worldwide. He has studied abroad and taught English in Chengdu, China, and aims to help fellow travelers make a lasting impact on the communities they visit.

Related guidebooks

A Guide to United Nations Volunteer Jobs

Peace Corps Alternatives: Volunteer, Intern, and Teach Abroad Programs

A Guide to Workaway for Travelers

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• Female Travelers
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• Professional Development

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23 Compare and Contrast

Comparison  in writing discusses elements that are similar, while  contrast  in writing discusses elements that are different. A  compare-and-contrast essay , then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Figure 5.7 Apples, Green and Red

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

Writing at Work

Comparing and contrasting is also an evaluative tool. In order to make accurate evaluations about a given topic, you must first know the critical points of similarity and difference. Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.

Exercise 13

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come up with one similarity and three differences between the examples.

• Romantic comedies
• Internet search engines
• Cell phones

Exercise 14

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Choose one of the following three items. Then come up with one difference and three similarities.

• Department stores and discount retail stores
• Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants
• Dogs and cats

The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that focuses on contrast.

Thesis statement : Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other
• According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

See the chart below, which diagrams the ways to organize the organic versus conventional vegetables thesis.

Figure 5.8 Organization Diagram

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis. See the chart below for examples.

Figure 5.9 Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Exercise 15

Create an outline for each of the items you chose in Exercises 13 and 14. Use the point-by-point organizing strategy for one of them, and use the subject organizing strategy for the other.

Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

First, choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that reinforces your thesis while drawing a conclusion based on what you have presented. This conclusion is the “and so” statement for your essay, giving you the place to offer a judgement based on the examination you have just offered.

Many business presentations are conducted using comparison and contrast. The organizing strategies—by subject or individual points—could also be used for organizing a presentation. Keep this in mind as a way of organizing your content the next time you or a colleague have to present something at work.

Exercise 16

Choose two people who are significant in your life and have a similar relationship with you (two friends, two siblings, etc). Make a list of similarities and differences between these people. Consult your list, then draw a conclusion based on the presence of these similarities and differences. Outline the similarities and differences, then write a statement that offers an overall conclusion.

Assignment 5

Choose one of the outlines you created in Exercise 15 or 16, and write a full compare-and-contrast essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a fitting conclusion that ties everything together.

Key Takeaways

• A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
• Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
• Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.

External Links

“ Disability ” (https://tinyurl.com/y99te6e2) by Nancy Mairs: In “Disability,” writer Nancy Mairs discusses the experience of being a disabled person in a world focused on the able-bodied. It seems to be titled “Hers” but it is the correct essay.

“ Friending, Ancient or Otherwise ” (https://tinyurl.com/y85u8ae8) by Alex Wright: In “Friending, Ancient or Otherwise,” writer Alex Wright explores the evolution and purpose of friendship in the age of social media.

“ Sex, Lies and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other ? ” (https://tinyurl.com/y95dpehx) by Deborah Tannen. In this essay, Tannen compares and contrasts conversation styles. You can view the essay  here  (https://tinyurl.com/y9vnjqv8) also.

Example Comparison and Contrast Essay

“A South African Storm”

By Allison Howard – Peace Corps Volunteer: South Africa (2003-2005)

It’s a Saturday afternoon in January in South Africa. When I begin the 45–minute walk to the shops for groceries, I can hear thunder cracking in the distance up the mountain in Mageobaskloof. But at 4 p.m. the sky is still light and bright and I am sure—famous last words—I will be fine without an umbrella.

Just the basics: eggs, bread, Diet Coke in a bag slung into the crook of my elbow. Halfway from town, two black South African women—domestic workers in the homes of white Afrikaner families—stop me with wide smiles. They know me; I’m the only white person in town who walks everywhere, as they do. They chatter quickly in northern Sotho: “Missus, you must go fast. Pula e tla na! The rain, it comes!” They like me, and it feels very important to me that they do.“Yebo, yebo, mma,” I say—Yes, it’s true—and I hurry along in flip-flops, quickening my pace, feeling good about our brief but neighborly conversation. These are Venda women.

My black South African friends tell me it’s easy to tell a Venda from a Shangaan from a Xhosa from a Pedi. “These ones from Venda , they have wide across the nose and high in the cheekbones,” they say. But I don’t see it; I’m years away from being able to distinguish the nuances of ethnicity. Today, I know these women are Vendas simply because of their clothing: bright stripes of green and yellow and black fabric tied at one shoulder and hanging quite like a sack around their bodies. They’ve already extended a kindness to me by speaking in northern Sotho. It’s not their language but they know I don’t speak a word of Afrikaans (though they don’t understand why; Afrikaans is the language of white people). They know I struggle with Sotho and they’re trying to help me learn. So they speak Sotho to me and they’re delighted and amused by my fumbling responses. And I am, quite simply, delighted by their delight.

The Venda ladies are right: the rain, it comes. Lightly at first, and by habit I begin trotting to hurry my way home. Just a little rain at first and there are plenty of us out in it. I can see others up ahead on the street and others still just leaving the shops to get back before the real rain begins.

The people who are walking along this swath of tar road are black. Black people don’t live in this neighborhood—or in my town at all, for the most part. They work and board here as domestic workers, nannies, gardeners. Their families live in black townships and rural villages—some just outside of my town; others far away, in places like Venda.

Today, we’re walking together in the rain, and I’m quickening my pace because—after all , it’s raining . That’s what you do in the rain. And even though it’s coming down noticeably harder, it’s 80 degrees and I’m not cold, I’m just wet. My hair is stuck to my forehead and my T-shirt is soaked … and I’m the only one running for cover. And I think: So what? It’s just water and in the middle of the January summer, it’s warm, refreshing water. Why run? Why do we run from the rain?

In my life back in the United States, I might run because I was carrying a leather handbag, or because I wore an outfit that shouldn’t get wet. I would run because rain dishevels and messes things up. Mostly though, we run because we just do; it’s a habit. I’ve done it a hundred times: running to my car or the subway station with a newspaper sheltering my head. I have never not quickened my pace in the rain until today.

It took all of my 27 years and a move to Africa , where I don’t have a leather handbag to shelter or a pretty outfit to protect. I’m wearing an old cotton skirt and a T-shirt, and I’m drenched, and I love it. I learn things here in the most ordinary circumstances. And I feel like a smarter, better woman today because I got groceries in the rain.

But on the long walk home, positively soaked and smiling like a fool, I notice a car pulling over and a man yelling in Afrikaans to get in, get in. I look in the direction I’ve come from and several meters behind me is a woman with a baby tied to her back and an elderly man carrying bags, leading a young boy by the hand. On the road ahead, a woman about my age carries a parcel wrapped in plastic, balanced precariously on her head. There are maybe 20 people walking with me in my reverie of rain and they are black. And the man in the car is white and he’s gesturing frantically for me to get in. Why me? Why not the others? Because I’m white and it’s about race. Everything is about race here.

This man in the car is trying to do something kind and neighborly. He wants to help me and his gesture is right, but his instincts are so wrong. How do you resent someone who is, for no benefit of his own, trying to help? But I do. I resent him and I resent the world he lives in that taught him such selective kindness. This whole event unravels in a few seconds’ time. He’s leaned over and opened the car door, urging me in … and I get in. And we speed past my fellow walkers and he drops me at my doorstep before I have time to think of anything besides giving him directions.

It feels like a mistake because I’m ashamed to think what the Venda women would have felt if he’d ignored them and they had watched me climb into that car. In some ways, the whole episode seems absurd. I’m not going to atone for 400 years of South African history by walking with black people in the rain. If I’d refused his ride, he wouldn’t have thought anything besides the fact that I was certifiably crazy. That’s the thing about being here: I’m not going to change anything. But I believe it matters in some infinitesimal way that people like the Venda women, and the dozens of people who may walk alongside me on any given day, know that I’m there. In black South African culture, it is polite to greet every person you pass. That’s what they do, so I do it, too. On the occasional morning, someone might greet me as “sesi,” sister. I have to believe that matters; I know it matters to me.

I was disappointed in myself for getting into the car because I acted according to the same habit that makes us think rain an inconvenience. Just as we run from the rain, I hopped into that car because I’m supposed to. Conventionally, it makes sense. But convention compels us to do so many things that don’t make any sense at all. Convention misinforms our instincts. And in a larger sense, it is convention that propels Afrikaner culture anachronistically into the future. Ten years after the supposed end of apartheid, I’m living in a world of institutionalized racism. Convention becomes institution—and it’s oppressive and it’s unjust. I know that if I’m going to make it here for two more years, I need to walk in the rain. It’s a small, wasted gesture, but it’s an uncorrupted instinct that makes me feel human.

So much about living here feels like that fraction of a second when the Afrikaner man was appealing to my conventional sensibilities and the people on the street were appealing to my human instincts. It may feel unnatural to reject those sensibilities just as, at first, it feels unnatural to walk in the rain. But if I lose a hold on my instincts here, I’ll fail myself and I’ll fail to achieve those tiny things that matter so much. It’s simple and it’s small; and it’s everything. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Indeed. Let it rain.

Example Comparison and Contrast Essay #2

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.

Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold, significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.

Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.

Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’ residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless. Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast, has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was “black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.

Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity.

Attributions

Content taken from Chapter 5 – Rhetorical Modes  by Jenifer Kurtz is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

English 101: Journey Into Open Copyright © 2021 by Christine Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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