Peace Corps Employee Reviews about "living conditions"
Updated Nov 20, 2019
"New Language and Culture Appreciation" (in 87 reviews)
"Opportunity to learn a new language and culture" (in 50 reviews)
"Some volunteers struggle more than others due to the lack of language or exposure to other cultures" (in 184 reviews)
"distance from family, feelings of isolation" (in 66 reviews)
Reviews about "living conditions"
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"Peace Corps Volunteer"
StarStarStarStarStar- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
RecommendsI worked at Peace Corps full-time
Pros
Once in a lifetime experience! I'm very grateful for this opportunity.
Cons
Tough living conditions, language and cultural barriers- nothing that was unexpected
Peace Corps2017-09-11"Amazing opportunity to live abroad"
StarStarStarStarStarI worked at Peace Corps full-time for more than a year
Pros
It was amazing becoming part of a community and learning about a culture other than my own.
Cons
Low pay and difficult living conditions for some volunteers.
Peace Corps2019-11-20"PCV"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
I worked at Peace Corps full-time for more than a year
Pros
Humanitarian and development work, worth cause, language learning, exposure to new cultures, ability to travel, can gain experience working with governments and nonprofits, ability to gain experience with grant writing
Cons
low pay, hard to save money, hardship living conditions
Peace Corps2019-07-29"Not for the faint of heart"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsI worked at Peace Corps full-time
Pros
Opportunity to live immersed in a different culture There's a whole big world out there, and you get to see some of it! Completely flexible schedule Independence
Cons
Still part of a bureaucratic system, so have to fit the mold No structure Tough physical and psychological living conditions
Peace Corps2018-05-21"Great opportunity to gain experience in international development"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookNo opinion of CEOI worked at Peace Corps full-time for more than a year
Pros
Peace Corps is one of the surest ways to get significant experience in international development for people with no prior experience. You live and work within the community you are serving, providing technical assistance to meet the needs of your host community and build their capacity to continue after you leave. As such, activities, projects, and duties vary greatly between volunteers. Great way to learn a new... language, meet new friends, and explore a different culture.
Show MoreCons
Peace Corps can be very stressful. You are on duty and representing the United States people basically 24/7 when you are within your host country. Furthermore, living conditions can be very different from what people are used to in the United States.
Peace Corps2017-11-30"Peace Corps Volunteer"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsI worked at Peace Corps full-time
Pros
Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer is a great way to gain international experience, especially for recent graduates who might have trouble finding jobs straight out of school.
Cons
Tough living conditions (obviously), but they make you a stronger person. Sometimes there are disagreements and tension between Volunteers and staff.
Peace Corps2016-11-10- Helpful (1)
"Peace Corps Volunteer"
StarStarStarStarStarI worked at Peace Corps for more than a year
Pros
The opportunity to live in another country, learn a foreign language, work on meaningful projects, and work with amazing people. Federal student loans can be deferred, which makes volunteering more feasible for those of us with student loan debt.
Cons
Each Volunteer's experience differs depending on the host country, site, sector, and people the Volunteer is assigned to work with in their site. Service can be challenging for reasons such as illness (which can sometimes persist after service ends), difficulty adjusting to living conditions and climate, cultural integration, lack of boundaries between personal/professional life, lack of privacy, and... unclear/differing work expectations. Host communities sometimes have expectations that differ from our training, which could be improved with clearer job descriptions that are communicated to our work partners in our sites. Clarifying our role can sometimes be difficult, and increased support/supervision from Peace Corps would be helpful. Compensation is low, but this was expected. Do your research to see if your student loans will be deferred and if volunteering for two years is feasible for you. Talk to Volunteers who have been in the country and sector you are considering so you can be prepared.
Show MoreAdvice to Management
Listen to Volunteers about their concerns and offer more support and supervision when needed. Communicate our job descriptions more clearly to our host communities in order to clarify our role and set reasonable expectations. For Volunteers who will be implementing community projects, more thorough training in project design, theory of change, and other aspects of monitoring and evaluation during the initial... training period would be beneficial.
Show MorePeace Corps2016-09-29 "PCV In-country experience"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsApproves of CEOI worked at Peace Corps
Pros
Peace Corps Volunteers all have unique experiences, where they become immersed and engaged in different cultures and work environments. Volunteers are generally passionate about working in their communities and gain great insight to grass-roots development and diplomacy work.
Cons
All volunteers need to be prepared to complete projects with little oversight and guidance from their country headquarters. Work and living conditions vary greatly from post to post, and successes must be measured differently for each person.
Advice to Management
Continue to have intense trainings at the beginning of service and throughout volunteer's service. Realize that people working in management positions are there to support volunteer activities.
Peace Corps2016-01-14"English and Gender Equality"
StarStarStarStarStarRecommendsApproves of CEOI worked at Peace Corps full-time for more than a year
Pros
Working for the United States Peace Corps is a life changing experience. As they say, no one service is the same. Every volunteer has a completely different experience. But we all find it to be monumental.
Cons
The living conditions in a developing country can be very difficult as one can imagine. The Peace Corps does its best to look out for the health and security for its volunteers. However, there are a few incidents that are unable to be avoided.
Peace Corps2015-10-08"Keep realistic expectations and you can have a life changing experience."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookNo opinion of CEOI have been working at Peace Corps for more than a year
Pros
-Living Abroad for 2 years -Flexible schedule -Able to adapt projects/role to desired career path. -Paid Health -Travel opportunities -Vacation benefits
Cons
-Pay = volunteer position -Required trainings that have no benefit to service -Living Conditions (Location specific)
Advice to Management
Use the resources within each country to improve resources and trainings.
Peace Corps2015-01-29