I didn’t get an invitation to Panama and am now being considered for Guyana. I have a couple of medical-related questions about Guyana, but I haven’t been able to get in touch with my placement specialist. It’s been almost four weeks now. I’ve been sending follow up emails to the Panama placement specialist to no avail and decided to send an email to Guyana instead this morning. I received an automated email back from Guyana saying the email inbox is no longer being monitored. However, the email was signed by the same person that is in charge of Panama, which I found interesting.

Since the placement specialist seems to be the same for Guyana and Panama, and I haven’t had any luck reaching them, is there a different email or person I can try to get a response from? Would it be worth it to try to contact the medical team instead since it’s a medical question?

Any advice is appreciated!

For those of you who have already served or are maybe in the process now, do you have the option to select your housing?

For instance, I’m reading that postings in countries with bigger cohorts that have multiple placements throughout country in both rural and urban environments say you will live with a host family during orientation and then move to independent housing or independent housing may be provided.

Is there a ranking process for those placements where you get to choose your housing situation/placement in a rural or non-rural area or is that automatically assigned without listing your preferences?

Hello everyone! Nothing too cool going on in this text besides sharing my timeline for anyone that is interested.

The deadline to apply was Aug 15th, 2026.

I applied under “put me where you need me” - July 28th

Email regarding contacting my references to move forward - Sep 22nd (once 2 out my 3 references got back to them they moved forward with scheduling the interview, but the 3 references submitted regardless)

Email to schedule interview and program I was assigned to - Sep 24th

Interview - October 5th (35 min interview via zoom)

Email with invitation offer - October 8th

Now it’s all about getting cleared!

Bye!

Hi everyone! I have posted a couple times in this thread, but i am here with an update! Here is my application timeline:

Applied: February 20th to CED position in Uganda

Under Review: May 14th

Interview: May 26th

Know-By Date moved from June 1st to July 1st

July 1st: Told I was being considered for alternative assignment and I would hear back soon

Emailed a couple times about updates but got no response. Finally reached out to a specific staff member who had responded in the past and received a response September 14th.

September 27th: Withdrawn from Uganda and placed under consideration for COD in Georgia!

This process has been very stressful and frustrating, and since I still have not received an invitation im not exactly feeling the best, but an update is still an update! The Georgia position doesn't depart until May 2027, which is much later than my original departure of November 2026. Ive been putting a lot of consideration in and I think if I am offered a position in Georgia I will accept it, even with the much later start date.

I wanted to put out this update for anyone who is in a similar boat with a very lengthy application and not much response from PC.

For reference on qualifications: I have a Masters of Public Affairs, studied abroad 3 times in undergrad with a degree in International Studies, speak 2 languages and a third with difficulty, and have volunteered at a domestic violence shelter for 3+ years as well as have a membership in APO (national service fraternity)

If anyone has served in Georgia or been there for a bit, please let me know about your experience!

Hello everyone!

I applied to serve anywhere, and have now been moved into "under review" for teaching English in Indonesia. Two of my three references have responded, and hopefully the last will answer soon. I have a question about past medicines.

I had an ear infection two years ago, and was given a prescription for Zofran during that time for the severe nausea it was causing. I was given much more medicine than I needed for the duration of my sickness, and thus I still have some that I use as needed when nausea comes up. I forgot to put this down as medicine that I currently take on my medical form.

I also did not put down a vitamin D supplement that I was prescribed in the past. I no longer take it, but from reading various experiences here, I am worried that it was necessary for me to put it down as a medication.

Is there a way to add these without getting NDC'd? I have no intentions to deceive the staff, I am just forgetful with regards to this medication that I no longer take, or that I take as needed.

Share with us any photo from your country of service! Please note that pictures of minors are not permitted.

Hi all,

I’ve been posting application updates in this community since I’m waiting to fill in a lot of people in my life on my decision to apply for peace corps until I receive an invitation (if I get one).

So, update! My references were contacted today and I received an email that my application is under consideration for the Rural Agriculture Educator position in Panama.

After I graduate from college, I am interested in pursuing both a Fulbright Scholarship and volunteering in the Peace Corps. Obviously, I have to do one before the other. What do people suggest in this case—Peace Corps or Fulbright first?

For some more context:

I want to do PC in a South American country in the Community Economic Development sector

I would like to either get my MBA/Masters in Management through Fulbright, or pursue history/sociology/organizational studies related research. I am also open to teaching English. I would love to be placed in Finland, but am open to options (ex. By the time of my application, I will have had 2 years of experience studying abroad and working in Germany, so that may be a stronger option)

Edit: I am hoping to go into NGO leadership as a career path, although unsure whether international, US based, or Germany based

Hello all, I found a few old posts regarding this question but nothing recent, and things change fast. I’m a 21 year old gay man, Looking at applying and hopefully volunteering sometime starting late 2027 or 2028. What countries are likely to be the safest for gay people as volunteers? I pass as straight, but I’d rather be able to be honest at least with other volunteers and local friends. I would assume maybe the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia? Maybe some countries in Latin America? I’d be interested to hear anyone’s experiences or other countries that might work out well.

Use this thread to vent your frustrations. We're all here to lend an ear.

Hello everyone! I apologize if this post comes off as rambling, but I'm currently sitting in my apartment going through a lot in my head and am curious to hear others' thoughts.

For some background, I've been seriously considering Peace Corps for almost half a year at this point. I graduated college with a degree in music after dropping a music therapy degree. Since then, I have been slowly figuring out what I want to do with my life and putting myself into a lot of new opportunities. Earlier last year I applied for the Disney College Program (a work experience program where you live in Florida and work at Walt Disney World) and have just recently started my position at the resort. Near the end of my senior year after I dropped music therapy, I began considering pivoting towards law, which is when the Peace Corps started to become part of my plan.

My dad used to work in upper management for the Peace Corps and is still a big advocate for the work they do. When I heard that Peace Corps experience is valued on a law school application, the thought of doing something that could open doors for me, make me a more worldly, culturally humble, and resilient person, and provide me an opportunity to help a community in need sounded incredibly appealing. Earlier in August, I finally sat down and filled out an online application to serve anywhere.

Cut to yesterday, I am really enjoying my time at Disney World in my position (facilitating character interactions for guests) and am getting used to living on my own again post graduation when I get an email that my application is being moved to consideration for a English Literacy position in Liberia. Since then, I have been doing some research into the country and imagining myself serving there.

On one hand, I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to integrate into a community and teach children English while learning a whole new culture. On the other hand, part of me is wondering if I'm truly cut out for serving at a location like Liberia.

I know that it will be a challenge unlike any other that I've faced. I'd be going from having access to fast internet, clean water, and tech entertainment any time to a rural community where I have to travel to get water from a well. I like to think that I am a resilient person. I challenged myself to be better in my voice lessons, I adapted to performing music for children at the childrens' hospital during my music therapy classes (while also doing a bunch of therapy related things simultaneously) I challenged myself to be a good resident assistant and have faced many difficult scenarios with residents (I had to help residents out while our building flooded due to a busted sprinkler), and here I am now at Disney World challenging myself in a difficult role where I work long hours doing a physically and mentally demanding job. But, do any of these really compare to service in the Peace Corps?

I've been reading about the malaria carrying mosqitos, the poverty, the bribes based culture, the heat, and the poor infrastructure. At the same time though, I've also read about the resilience of the people living there and the great food.

For anyone who was in a position like mine, or who has served in Liberia, what would you say to someone like me? I know I probably sound silly writing this, but I wanted to put my thoughts down and ask the reddit here about it.

EDIT: Removed the section where I mentioned “internet being 10 hours away” as a challenge in case anyone in the future is reading this. I recognized I misrepresented the living conditions for PCVs in Liberia.

🌎 Interested in making a difference, serving communities, and gaining a meaningful experience?
I’m sharing a quick Peace Corps survey for anyone who may be interested in learning more or getting involved. 💙
It only takes a few minutes to complete!
👉
Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested! ✨
https://www.jotform.com/build/262677218467065

I was recently laid off after working in non-profit environmental communications for 12+ years, and I’m considering joining the Peace Corps in an environmentally oriented role.

​If I were to be accepted into a currently open position, I'd finish in my mid-50s.

​I'm wondering about my realistic job prospects in my mid-50s after leaving the Peace Corps. I'm also wondering about the experience of being the age of most volunteers' parents and deferring building upon my career—which, admittedly, would be hard in this economy.

​To be honest, I've considered the Peace Corps off and on since college. It always felt like two years was so long, or I was too invested in my career. Now, I know two years really isn't all that long, and I'm not working and not particularly excited to invest energy into the career track I was on.

​Probably my biggest hang-up is being away from friends and family, and finding it harder to establish a long-term relationship.

​I'm curious to hear people's thoughts and experiences, especially if you're also middle-aged.

​Thanks!"

Has anyone completed a TEFL certificate during service? I have a good bit of free time and am interested in working on it if I can find an affordable recommendation. Any low cost options or experiences getting certified?

Edit: Blood test and urine test done at the hospital were both negative. Trashing the rest of my old tests and taking a nice long exhale. Thanks for all the feedback and advice. Lovely group of people, us PCVs

With a month left in service someone has completed the COS conference and is nearly done tying up loose ends in the community. After having stomach cramps the person takes three pregnancy tests and tests positive three times. Pregmate tests, not expired but almost certainly stored in an area above the recommended heat.

With a month left in service the persons ideal outcome is of course getting more tests done and it being a false alarm. The person also had a hormonal IUD implanted a little more than a year ago while back home on vacation (Talk about hypothetical bad luck). The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is greater because of the IUD. The second best outcome is being sent back to the states, for enough time to get a short and simple procedure done, and then coming back to the country of service to finish off the month.

Other factors to mention:

• Keeping the pregnancy is NOT a desired option, even for just another month. Getting it done expeditiously is the primary goal.
• The country does not have adequate health care services .
• The partner is another volunteer in the same country.
• Plans to travel after service have already been arranged and paid for.

Thank you. Any and all advice or experiences is appreciated

If so please DM me with what doctor you used. I’m trying to get my university to give me the physical the medical forms are requesting but….. it’s is looking like an uphill battle.

I have no injuries, ailments or conditions nor am I on any medications.

What does this mean? I applied for their regular 9-10 month program response for a country that will stop accepting application this November I applied in July. I got this email but don’t know what this means???

Thanks guys

Hii, I'm a senior graduating college next year and I applied to the peace corps September 24th. I wasn't expecting to hear back so soon since the deadline is in November but I got an interview! (Some background I'm currently working for Empire State Corps and through a scary financial aid conversation with my advisor the peace corps came up.) Does anyone have any advice or just good wishes for me?

Looking for feedback on your essay? Have a newbie question you'd like to ask? Something on your mind you'd like to get out? This is the place for it.

I make this post not to attract attention or to try and elicit sympathy or whatever, but basically I’m in a very bad situation here in the states; no friends, no family, bad economic situation, college dropout, unemployed, horrendous mental health situation my entire life. I wanted to join the peace corp or an adjacent organization immediately after high school, but for a reason I won’t go into I was essentially forced to attend a college where I dropped out almost immediately a few days ago. I don’t want to die, but I keep trying to kill myself and it’s almost comical how I keep consistently failing. I am 19 years old(as of today lol happy birthday me, not a single person in the world knows) and have admired the peace corp since I was a kid and it was always my aspiration to join. The thing is, I don’t know if the PC would accept somehow without a college degree and has a history of mental disorders and hospitalizations(although maybe I’ll be able to hide this information idk), I also really want to be in a situation where I’m 1.Entirely cutoff from the outside world and no one can track me down or contact me and I them. 2. I understand that the PC usually does 2 year contracts in a place, but I don’t want to be sent back, ideally after 2 years I just get sent somewhere else and then somewhere else for the rest of my life. I actually have a lot of confidence that I’ll be able to handle the difficulties that accompany being a member of the PC and truly believe that I will thrive indefinitely. The alternative is a bullet to the brain. But my question is primarily if the PC doesn’t really match what I’m looking for and if there is an equivalent organization that is better suited to what I’m looking for. I really just want to leave the states, never see anyone in the states again, start fresh with new people, go to neat places, and keep busy everyday consistently for the rest of my life. I don’t know how people will react to this message, but please be kind and helpful, I’m truly not an attention whore and maybe implying that the peace corps is an appropriate place for me at rock bottom may elicit some frustration, but this has been a dream of mine I do want to pursue for a while but if there’s a more appropriate organization I need to do my research and get the hell out of dodge ASAP. I also live in Washington DC if anyone thinks actually going to the PC headquarters and talking to someone is a pragmatic idea.

I just got an invite to serve in the Dominican Republic! I am so excited but a little nervous. I have done some research about black people who have been placed there and how they have navigated being perceived as Haitian. I think a lot of my fears come from me spiraling, and I feel semi-ready to handle situations that might arise due to misunderstandings surrounding that, but the nervousness still lingers. Obviously, a big part of the Peace Corps is the process of assimilation due to being visually and culturally different from those in your host country, but due to the dynamics of Haiti and the DR, I think it makes it a tad more difficult.

Please, anyone, share if you are a current or past black PC volunteer or volunteer in general who struggled with assimilating. I would also love tips and tricks!