Questions and answers about living and working overseas are provided below.

I thought the Peace Corps was just for recent college graduates; does the Peace Corps really seek older applicants?

Volunteers with a lifetime of experience are eagerly sought! The Peace Corps has no upper age limit. Currently 5 percent of Peace Corps Volunteers are over age 50.

What’s it like to serve with Volunteers whose average age is 27?

Most Volunteers of all ages say they benefit greatly by training, working, and facing challenges together. The friendships formed through these experiences often become life long. In their host communities, mid-life and 50+ Volunteers are generally accorded respect for their age and wisdom and often mentor younger Volunteers. Because there are fewer older Volunteers, however, loneliness can be a problem for those who feel the need for a nearby and supportive peer group. A network of strong relationships with a variety of other Volunteers, Peace Corps staff, and, very importantly, new friends in host communities can help alleviate loneliness—and provide a wealth of opportunities for sharing and learning.

Should I be anxious about learning a new language?

This is the number-one concern of older applicants. Integration into your community is essential to being an effective Volunteer, and communication is certainly a key element to that integration. To prepare you as a Volunteer, the Peace Corps’ language-training teams provide approximately three months of training in-country by native speakers. This formal language training focuses on both grammar and overall communication skills. Trainees also typically live with a host family during their training, which provides an “immersion experience,” enhancing language acquisition, cross-cultural adjustment, and assimilation into the community. Volunteers who need additional language instruction after pre-service training often arrange for a local tutor once they arrive at their worksite.

Additionally, many people find it helpful to begin a basic language course before they depart for service.

Can I serve with my spouse?

Married couples may serve in the Peace Corps together, but each person must apply separately and qualify as a Volunteer. It can take longer to place married couples, as the number of placements in-country for two qualified Volunteers in the same location is limited.

Are there any Peace Corps countries where Volunteers are not sent due to age?

Placement is based on matching the skills of a Volunteer with the needs of the host country as well as an assessment of a Volunteer’s medical needs and the appropriate services available in that country. A few countries have mandated retirement ages. At present, to be considered for service in Namibia or the Philippines,
you must be no older than 63 by your swearing-in date.

How about staying connected to my kids and my grandkids?

Most Volunteers are able to maintain contact with family, friends, and fellow Volunteers by regular mail, e-mail, and telephone. Modes of communication can vary greatly, but some option is always available.

Can my family and friends visit?

Yes, this is a wonderful way to share your experience of the host country with loved ones. Using accrued vacation time to spend with visiting guests offers flexibility in your schedule and does not interfere with work. Vacation and visitor policies are explained in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook.

What if a family emergency occurs while I am serving? If a serious medical problem or death occurs in your immediate family, the Peace Corps allows a leave period and pays for travel to the site of the emergency, at the Peace Corps’ expense. Immediate family is defined as spouse, parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Should an emergency occur for those not covered (e.g., in-laws), Volunteers may take leave and travel at their own expense.

My family and friends are worried about my safety—what should I tell them?

The safety of Volunteersis paramount to the Peace Corps. Each Peace Corps country has staff devoted to safety and security. Additionally, the Peace Corps provides training to Volunteers on respecting locally appropriate behavior, exercising sound judgment, and abiding by agency policies and procedures. In choosing Volunteer sites, the Peace Corps considers factors such as access to medical and other essential services and availability of communications and transportation, particularly in cases of emergency. There is a Peace Corps office in every country where Volunteers serve (except the Eastern Caribbean where one office serves several nearby islands).

How do I vote while serving abroad?

You can arrange to vote through an absentee ballot, which can be mailed to you via the Peace Corps office in your country of service.