TravelingEv
Armenia,
Female, 27
I live and work in Armenia as a computer teacher at a college in one of the regions (not the modern capital city). Peace Corps service is a 27 month commitment in a 3rd world or developing country. I teach computer teachers and students about basic computer maintenance; I also teach software programs like Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Photoshop, and CorelDraw. Everything I do--from teaching, buying food, visiting friends--is done in Armenian, which I learned since I arrived in country.
I don't actually know the answer to this, but I am starting to think about my life post-Peace Corps. I know many people go to grad school, enrolling in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program which offers benefits and financial aid. Other people take advantage of their one year of non-competitive eligibility status and get a job with the federal government. Often people stay working with non-profits, aid programs, or the foreign service.
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I would imagine that Peace Corps will let you know if you aren't nominated. After you turn in your application and you are accepted to move on to the next step, you will be contacted for an interview. You can ask your interviewer how long it will be before you hear back, so you know for sure.
After my interview, I waited between 2 and 3 weeks to get my nomination. So I would say that if you haven't heard back within a month, you could contact Peace Corps and ask about the status of your application.
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I'm sorry I don't really know the answer to your question. Here's what I have heard: if you want to "park" your application, you can do so at any time in the application process, and they keep it on file for a certain amount of time (maybe 6 months-1 year), during which you can re-open your application. After that time expires, you would have to start the entire application process over again.
However, if you are given an invitation (meaning you have made it through the entire application process and they are trying to place you), and you reject it without good reason, there is not a good chance of them giving you a second option.
I hope this helps.
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No, Peace Corps doesn't pay for college or pay off college loans, but many loans qualify for deferment while in Peace Corps. There are also many programs through the Peace Corps Fellows program, which offer financial aid to returned Peace Corps volunteers.
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The thing about being a foreigner here is that I stand out--blond hair and casual clothing in a community of well-dressed brunettes. So I get stared at a lot. But usually it feels more uncomfortable than dangerous. I try not to do anything that will put me in real personal danger--I use common sense--and so far, that has worked well for me.
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Not so far... That's not to say that I haven't had very difficult periods. I have, and they've been brutal. There was a time where every single day seemed to last an eternity. For awhile I went through some hard relationship stuff, and missed home dreadfully. There was the shock of how cold and miserable winter really is here. There were headaches and illnesses and digestive problems. There were awkward moments and misunderstandings and cultural faux pas. But I (more or less) expected all this going in, and I have been able to look at everything so far as learning moments. I have definitely had strong yearnings for home from time to time, but no, I have not yet seriously considered quitting (also known as ET'ing.) However, I won't rule out the possibility that the feeling could still come up! It's perfectly normal, from what I hear. Most volunteers I talk to have a personal rule, such as, "If I have this feeling for X amount of time, then I will ET." Or, "I will revisit this issue in X amount of time, and if it hasn't gotten better, I will ET." Or, "If it gets so bad that I [fill in the blank], I will ET." Or, "I will definitely ET if I ever run into X situation." It's a personal decision, and one that needs to be respected, since everyone has their own threshold. My guiding light is, "Well, if I went home now, what would I do?" And so far, the answer isn't exciting enough to make it worth my leaving early.
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Housing options vary by country. You may have some flexibility in your housing choices, but they will be determined by the country you serve in, and you will have to adhere to your country director's rules.
In Armenia all volunteers are required to live with host families during pre-service training, and then for their first couple months after swearing-in, in their permanent site. After that, they are free to move out on their own if they choose, usually to live by themselves.
In other countries, volunteers live together during pre-service training in apartments. Some volunteers live with host families their entire two years. Others live in family "compounds," having their own building or set of rooms, but being surrounded by host family members in one small area.
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