Peace Corps Facts to know

Total number of Volunteers

210,000+ (to date)

Where Volunteers Serve

Africa: 43%

Latin America: 21%

Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 15%

Asia: 10%

The Caribbean: 4%

The Middle East: 4%

Pacific Islands: 3%

(“Peace Corps facts,” 2012)

Enrich and build your career -

Volunteer with the Peace Corps!

Benjamin Capka bcapka@kent.edu

COMM 35864

Pea

ce C

orps

Hea

dqua

rters

1111

20t

h S

treet

, NW

Was

hing

ton,

D.C

. 205

26

Cur

rent

Res

iden

t

1245

2 R

idge

Rd

Nor

th R

oyal

ton,

OH

4413

3

NO

PO

STAG

E

NE

CEI

SS

ARY

IF

MA

ILE

D IN

TH

E

UN

ITE

D S

TATT

ES

Frequently asked questions

How long does one serve in the Peace Corps?

The standard length of service in the Peace Corps is two years, though there are (limited) opportunities for shorter and longer terms.

Where can I go?

The Peace Corps currently has projects running in Asia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa. One’s skills and abilities will be matched to the area where those traits are most needed; however, personal preferences for location can be taken into consideration.

Am I eligible?

If you are a U.S citizen, and are at least 18 years of age, then you are eligible for Peace Corps service. A college degree, foreign language skills, and previous volunteer experience are all advantageous but not prerequisites for enrolling ("What peace corps," 2013).

Be a volunteer. The Peace Corps' mission has three goals: 1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. 2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. ("Mission," 2013)

What will I be doing?

Depending on one’s own skills and experience, Peace Corps volunteers will fulfill a number of different actions during their service. From teaching English to locals, to helping manage clean water in the area, the possibilities of action are numerous.

Other potential areas of work include: Economic development, youth outreach, agricultural work, environmental conservation, HIV/AIDS and Malaria initiatives, and more.

What are the benefits of serving?

Since the Peace Corps is a government program, volunteers have advantages in Federal employment upon returning.

The two-year term of service itself is also free of cost for the volunteer. All travel expenses, medical and dental care, and living expenses are covered. The volunteer is given a monthly allowance for food and housing, of which the extra money is theirs to keep.

Also, while the Peace Corps is a volunteer program, participants receive a “readjustment” payment of $7,425 after their two-year period of service. This money is free to be used in any way, be it paying off loans, taking time for travel, or simply put into a bank account.

(“What are the,” 2013)

Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, volunteers have been helping improve the conditions of other countries worldwide. If you are interested in joining, finding out more information

about the Peace Corps, or locating the nearest recruitment office, please call 855.855.1961.

(“Contact Us,” 2013)