I was looking to join the Peace Corps after I graduate this year and was wondering if anyone here has been or knows someone who has. My father was in Peace Corps and was deployed to the Ivory Coast. It's a long stay (min. of 2 years) but you receive $6,000 upon your return amongst other benefits (I don't know how to insert a hyperlink, but if you search for Peace Corps. you'll find their site easily for more info). Besides doing something good, it seems like it could be a wonderful experience for those who may not have been to Africa, or have been and would love to go back. It's free, they give you an allowance to get shelter, food, and other essentials for 2 years, and the $6,000 upon return.

2yrs is a long time, so it's geared mainly towards individuals w/out children or other life responsibilities....so would YOU consider it? For the UK individuals, is there a similar program offered in the UK?

I think this organisation is the UK equivalent:

http://www.vso.org.uk/

i thought about it when i was between degree's but i chickened out of being so far from home for such a long time!!

Afriki wrote: Are you in the states?

If you are then you can get more info on their website. Also, it depends with a degree that you got. if lets say its one of those Humanities degree like INTL RELATIONS then why bother with Peace Corps for two years? instead you can use the route to get into civil service as a staff within the state dept and if you are really good then there is that dept of public diplomacy which was given shit loads of money and this means you can be a player within the state and can also influence issues(this has been possible since Karen Hughes took over)

Other wise if you are into interested in jobs with the govt then Consultancy is the way to go and maybe a stepping stone for you would be through a work experience with one of these lobbying copmanies in K-Street (Washington DC) if not some Think Tanks

Assuming you are Black then you will need to go extra mile as that area is populated by whites folks from red brick universities

As far as UK is concerned, depends what you wanna do after you are done with VSO...if you are good then why not get a job with EU or do an exchange program in Brusles and maybe when you come back to UK you might be in one of those who influence policies within Whitehall or if you cant be bothered then try a job as an analyst with lets say...GCHQ even though the pay is shit but you will have ajob security