Peace Corps Facts to know

Total number of Volunteers 210,000+ (to date) Where Volunteers Serve Africa: 43% Latin America: 21% Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 15% Asia: 10% The Caribbean: 4% The Middle East: 4% Pacific Islands: 3%

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Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, volunteers have been helping improve the conditions of other countries worldwide. If you are interested in joining, finding out more information about the Peace Corps, or locating the nearest recruitment office, please call 855.855.1961.

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Peace Corps Headquarters 1111 20th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20526

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Be a volunteer.
The Peace Corps' mission has three goals: 1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. 2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

For over 50 years, Peace Corps volunteers have been striving to meet these goals worldwide. Will you be one of them?

How long does one serve in the Peace Corps?

The standard length of service in the Peace Corps is two years, though there are (limited) opportunities for shorter and longer terms. Where can I go?

Frequently asked questions

What will I be doing? Depending on ones own skills and experience, Peace Corps volunteers will fulfill a number of different actions during their service. From teaching English to locals, to helping manage clean water in the area, the possibilities of action are numerous. Other potential areas of work include: Economic development, youth outreach, agricultural work, environmental conservation, HIV/AIDS and Malaria initiatives, and more. What are the benefits of serving? Since the Peace Corps is a government program, volunteers have advantages in Federal employment upon returning. The two-year term of service itself is also free of cost for the volunteer. All travel expenses, medical and dental care, and living expenses are covered. The volunteer is given a monthly allowance for food and housing, of which the extra money is theirs to keep. Also, while the Peace Corps is a volunteer program, participants receive a readjustment payment of $7,425 after their two-year period of service. This money is free to be used in any way, be it paying off loans, taking time for travel, or simply put into a bank account.

The Peace Corps currently has projects running in Asia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa. Ones skills and abilities will be matched to the area where those traits are most needed; however, personal preferences for location can be taken into consideration. Am I eligible? If you are a U.S citizen, and are at least 18 years of age, then you are eligible for Peace Corps service. A college degree, foreign language skills, and previous volunteer experience are all advantageous but not