going in for my Peace Corps interview this week...any advice??

any current/former volunteers on the board?? any countries that you would or would not recommend?

You might want to send him a PM and ask for some pointers.

Good luck!!!!!

:D

RPCV here (returned peace corps volunteer).

"Flexible" is one of the Peace Corps' favorite words. Unless you really have a good reason not to go to a certain region/country, I suggest that you tell them that you are willing to go anywhere that your qualifications/expertise will be put to the best use. I've heard that if you are too demanding the recruiter might take her time nominating you for a position, which could mean years.

Express your willingness to at least try to adapt to lots of different things - food, clothing, living conditions.

Of course, if you know that something just absolutely will not work for you - such as eating meat if you are a vegetarian, convey this to the interviewer. If you have a good reason and are polite, she will probably work with you.

Don't be afraid to admit that one of the reasons that you are interested in serving is to travel. After all, one of the goals of the PC is to learn about other cultures and bring that information back home to others.

Which reminds me, if you haven't already, read up on the history of the PC and know the three goals (easily found on their webpage).

Good luck!

HOw lovely to have your very first post be here in the heart of DU...the Lounge!

WELCOME!

Hope you enjoy your stay in our crazy, completely addicting little village.......


:hi:

My sister told me that there were lots of nice people in the DU Lounge. She also said that it's easy to get addicted. Thanks for the nice welcome!

A lot of people welcomed me very warmly when I first signed on....

It DOES make a difference....


:hi:

and thanks for the advice

If you have any more questions regarding the PC, feel free to ask me.

Oh, and thank you so much for making a newbie like me feel so welcome!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

:-)

listen to Arlo's induction physical, and don't say that.

I cannot really offer any good advice (other than be yourself and try to relax) because I've never interviewed for the Peace Corps.

BUT I want to welcome you to DU (I don't post much usually, but I can't stay away) and tell you good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...talk about how much you would like to be in a third world country with no running water.

Use the word 'quaint' a lot.

:evilgrin:

During your interview they will ask a lot of questions about flexibility, and cross cultural experience. Have at least one or two stories from your life highlighting cross cultural awareness and experiences. Also, they will ask you about what you would do if your personal values conflict with that of the host country.

The interview will be informal, and most likely conducted by a returned volunteer. It won't be grueling like the one for the CIA (yes I interviewed with "the company".)

Also, politics can be a passion, but it can't be your sole driving one...you should come across wanting to help first and foremost.

nt

Completely bizarre while at the same time fascinating. Much like a David Lynch movie come to life.

Thailand is a land of extremes. You will smell some of the most beautiful flower gardens and then five minutes later smell some of the most foul open sewers. You will see buildings where it seems like mid completion, the architect decided that instead of going for the glass building look, he wants to now go corinthian towers. The Thais are an incredibly friendly people, and at the same time are very guarded.

nt

I served in the Pacific Island country of the Kingdom of Tonga. I could tell you lots. Anything in particular?

my PC interviewer listed that as one of the more dangerous places...did you find it so?

It depends. I think there have been a few cases of rape happening to volunteers, but I don't think it's dangerous otherwise. Tongans are, in general, pretty mild mannered in their home country (different story when they end up in gangs in the US). Lots of examples of guys peeping through windows and making unwanted advances - usually these happen while the Tongans are drunk. I don't think male volunteers have much trouble there. An occasional fight with, again, drunk Tongan males, but usually nothing big.

Did the interviewer say anything specific?

one made it in, one didn't.

the one who didn't was told to lose weight before she could even complete the interview process.

the one who made it had positive things to say about her experience mostly, but also some negative. her host family was very creepy and her support staff was reluctant to change her living situation after a particularly harrowing experience. But she came out of it okay, and felt very enriched for having done it all.

And the PC is not supposed to discriminate... Was it a medical reason, I wonder.

and she was about 5'6" and maybe 170 lbs, not obese by any stretch.

in the southern hemisphere. :D

i think it went well...we'll see

Leave your guns at home. Don't bring your guns to town.