Volunteering has always been a rewarding way to give back and contribute to a kinder, more positive tomorrow. Global volunteering with organizations like the Peace Corps lets you take it one step further. It doesn’t just allow you to make an impact on an international scale; it also offers the added benefit of getting to experience new places, cultures, and ways of life.
Since its humble beginnings in 1961, the Peace Corps has helped shape communities around the world through its innovative volunteer programs. In this blog, Remitly explores the ins and outs of the Peace Corps. We’ll take a look at what the organization does, where it operates, and the benefits and challenges you can expect when going on a volunteering mission abroad.
What is the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps is an independent US government agency that deploys American volunteers to work with communities in need worldwide. Partnering with over 60 countries, its mission is to foster international development, promote global peace, and provide an avenue for cultural exchange.
Unlike other volunteering platforms, the Peace Corps assists with projects in several different areas of social and environmental development. Volunteers usually serve for two years in the field after completing a three-month training period to gain necessary skills.
Key sectors the Peace Corps operates in
The Peace Corps generally tackles projects in six key sectors: Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment, Youth Development, and Community Economic Development.
Education
Be a part of providing quality education in underserved schools around the world. This can involve teaching subjects that boost literacy, English skills, and STEM knowledge, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Health
Are you passionate about creating a healthier world? Becoming a Peace Corps Health Volunteer may be right for you. You’ll work on community-based healthcare projects to promote better nutrition, encourage HIV prevention, and educate local populations on essential skills for healthy living.
Agriculture
Promote sustainable farming in rural communities as a Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer. You’ll focus on improving productivity, resilience, and overall food security while helping smallholder farms embrace practices that are good for both people and the planet.
Environment
If sustainability is your thing, participating in the Peace Corps’ environmental projects might be ideal. These initiatives let you support local communities at the grassroots level to grow environmental awareness, sustainably manage natural resources, and promote conservation of biodiverse habitats.
Youth Development
Youth development projects are all about empowering a new generation of productive and socially responsible adults. Peace Corps Youth in Development Volunteers inspire young people to become civically engaged, improve their communities, and reach their full potential.
Community Economic Development
These projects are designed to foster economic opportunities in local communities. Often, this involves financial literacy training as well as collaborating with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and global partners to create more positive economic outcomes.
With such a broad selection, the Peace Corps ensures eligible volunteers find the perfect fit before going on international missions.
Who can join the Peace Corps?
People from various backgrounds enjoy the benefits of serving in the Peace Corps. In fact, the organization seeks out volunteers with a wide range of life experiences and skill sets—from teaching to engineering, economics and more.
Eligibility requirements
The Peace Corps makes it easy for interested volunteers to join its ranks. To be eligible to serve, candidates must meet these criteria:
- Be a US citizen
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a recent college grad, working professional, or retiree
Most volunteer positions require a four-year degree. However, people with an associate degree plus relevant work experience—or at least five years of professional experience—can find opportunities in the Corps.
How to apply
Now that you’ve determined that you’re an eligible candidate, you can start the nine-step process to apply for a position within the Peace Corps. Here’s what it involves:
Step 1. Find the best position for you
Browse the open positions advertised through the Peace Corps website and find one that matches your skill set and area of interest.
Step 2. Apply online
Next, fill out the application form via the online application portal. Set aside at least an hour to complete the application, and be sure to have your resume, relevant information, and some references on hand. This checklist outlines everything you’ll need to provide.
Step 3. Outline your health history
Provide information on your medical history to ensure you’re fit and healthy enough for the volunteering role.
Step 4. Detail your legal history
During the legal assessment stage, provide information about prior arrests, legal citations, or other charges. It’s important to be honest, as not disclosing these details could lead to your invitation being withdrawn.
Step 5. Attend the interview
If your application is going well, you’ll proceed to the formal interview. These are offered on an invitation basis and generally last about an hour. Interviews are conducted virtually, so you don’t have to worry about traveling to the interview location.
Step 6. Receive an invitation
Once you’ve aced your interview, you’ll receive a conditional invitation to serve. Keep in mind that you must respond to this invitation within three days.
Step 7. Medical and legal clearance
At this stage, you’ll be asked to provide further information to receive your medical clearance and legal clearance. A background check will also take place.
Step 8. Onboarding
To guarantee that you’re ready for the role, you’ll receive relevant training and go through several onboarding tasks. Both are offered online and must be completed before you can leave for your volunteering mission.
Step 9. Start your mission
Once you’ve sailed through all the necessary steps, it’s time to start your new adventure and make a global difference! Around a month before your departure date, you’ll attend a staging event to make sure you’re confident and ready to go.
Benefits of serving with the Peace Corps
In addition to the altruistic benefit of contributing to the global community, joining the Peace Corps comes with other enviable benefits:
- Skill development: Working with the Peace Corps allows you to build wide-ranging skills, from leadership and communication to cross-cultural perspectives and foreign languages. After your service, you’ll be highly sought after by future employers.
- Health coverage: Your medical and dental expenses will be covered during pre-service training, active service, and vacation time.
- Monthly stipend: Volunteers also receive a monthly allowance, which is enough to support a modest lifestyle in your host community.
- Career growth: The Peace Corps can be a stepping stone for your career advancement. In fact, studies show that, on average, volunteers outperform their peers in career growth across multiple sectors. Through your service, you’ll gain access to the unique opportunities, a vast professional network, and non-competitive eligibility (NCE) status when applying for federal jobs.
- Competitive allowances: Readjustment allowances further support volunteers’ transition back into everyday life. You might also be eligible to receive graduate school funding and deferment, partial cancellation, income-driven repayment plans, or even forgiveness of student loan debt after your service.
- Lifelong friends and memories: The Peace Corps fosters a strong sense of community and numerous opportunities to make lifelong friends. The shared experiences create memories and bonds that will be impossible to forget.
Challenges to consider
While the benefits of volunteering with the Peace Corps are numerous, there are challenges that also need to be considered.
Adjusting to a new culture, language and environment can be difficult, especially if it’s your first time travelling abroad.
Working in remote environments also comes with unique challenges, as does being away from home for such a long time.
The good news? The Peace Corps provides dedicated training and support to cushion volunteers against these difficulties. And when you’re missing home, the wonders of modern technology—like international SIM cards—can help you stay in touch.
Is the Peace Corps right for you?
The Peace Corps offers fantastic opportunities to do good, move to a new country, experience a new culture, and gain access to many unique benefits. But it’s crucial to know that this is the best choice for you.
Ask yourself these questions to ensure you’re on the right path:
- Am I interested in the projects that the Peace Corps is involved in?
- Does the overall mission of the Peace Corps align with my values?
- Do I have skills that would be valuable on a Peace Corps mission?
- Does joining the Peace Corps align with my long-term goals?
- Am I ready to adapt to different countries, languages, and cultures?
- Can I commit to serve for the standard duration of a volunteering mission abroad?
To get a better sense of the Peace Corps, what it offers, and what volunteering abroad is actually like, attending webinars or other informational sessions is a good idea. Connecting with Peace Corps alumni will also help you gain firsthand insight into the experience.
A legacy of volunteering
When volunteering with the Peace Corps, you make a difference to communities around the world and create a positive global impact. But the experience also allows you to gain valuable skills while creating lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. The Peace Corps’ efforts have been a force for good for generations, and by joining this worthwhile organization, you too can be a part of building a better tomorrow.
Inspired by the mission? Visit the official Peace Corps website to find opportunities that fit your skills or experience, and start your volunteering adventure today!
FAQs
What is the main purpose of the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps is an independent US government agency that trains and deploys American volunteers to work with underserved communities worldwide, aiming to foster international development, promote global peace, and provide an avenue for cultural exchange.
How many people volunteer with the Peace Corps?
Since its beginning in 1961, the Peace Corps has welcomed over 240,000 volunteers working at thousands of sites across 60 different countries worldwide. In 2024, over 3,000 people volunteered with the Peace Corps.
Do you need specific qualifications to join the Peace Corps?
Any US citizen over the age of 18 can become a Peace Corps volunteer. However, most positions require a four-year degree, an associate degree plus relevant work experience, or at least five years of professional experience.
How long is the Peace Corps service?
For most missions, the Peace Corps service period is two years with an additional three-month training period. However, some specialist projects require shorter or longer service periods. For example, Peace Corps Response roles last up to 12 months.
Do volunteers get paid?
Peace Corps volunteers receive a monthly stipend that is adequate to cover everyday expenses in the host country. You’ll also receive medical and dental coverage during service, as well as graduate school funding, readjustment allowance, and student loan benefits after service.
Can I stay in the country after my Peace Corps service period is finished?
Remaining in your volunteer country after service depends on your immigration status. You might be able to remain in cases of dual nationality, or if you receive a working visa or study visa. However, this will be considered on an individual basis, independent of your time with the Peace Corps.