The Peace Corps experience is unique. The impact on your life and those you serve is a tremendous gift. While the intrinsic rewards of Volunteering are great, the challenges and demands are many. If you are considering applying to Peace Corps it is helpful to know in advance what is required to be a successful Volunteer.
Take an interactive tour of the 10 expectations Peace Corps has for its Volunteers and trainees.
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and Volunteer, we ask you to do the following:
One
Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve abroad for a full term of 27 months
Two
Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and work; and, in doing so, share your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed
Three
Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and with the flexibility needed for effective service
Four
Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture
Five
Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your personal conduct and professional performance
Six
Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning, and respect
Seven
Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the country where you serve
Eight
Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and well-being and that of others
Nine
Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the people, culture, values, and traditions of the United States of America
Ten
Represent responsibly the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host country and community to people in the United States both during and following your service
Last updated Aug 10 2012
Peace Corps Catalog
Learn all about Peace Corps service and see if it's a good fit for you in this 44-page PDF (5mb).
(updated 2/12)
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