Your parents are probably against it–if they are anything like mine–because they are worried about you and your safety and do not want you being so far away for so long. There have been several unusual but tragic events in the past few years, but overall, the PC staff is great and will keep you safe and advise you. I had two incidents while I was over there–getting pickpocketed and getting propositioned (he offered to pay me if I would let him do oral…). When I was pickpocketed, the staff was amazing helping me to replace my documents, contact my credit card company in the States, reissue my living expense money, etc. When I was propositioned, I did not know the guy so they could not do anything, but the safety and security guy talked with me for an hour at 10 p.m. on a Friday night.

Your parents are also probably concerned that you have no money and that you will not be making any. However, you also will not be spending anything as all of your expenses–including things like sunscreen, chapstick, bandaids, all OTC meds–are covered. PC covers all health and medical expenses, travel, etc. If you live frugally then the living expense stipend is more than adequate.

The main thing your parents are against is you being away for so long. Encourage them to come visit you. Or say you would be delighted to come home halfway through if they could get you the plane ticket.

Okay, the next issue you brought up is should you go before grad school. This is a very personal choice. I was so burned out after college that I needed a break. I also did not feel ready for a career type job nor did I want to work in a dead end job for a couple years. My career field is international human rights, so PC was ideal. I think that I am so much more capable of dealing with law school and grad school (MA in international politics) after PC. I have come to understand what is important to me and how to survive on little but the care of my host family. I have learned so much more how to appreciate what I do have and to see how little other people have. I cannot even go into all that PC taught me.

When you get back, you are more competitive both for grad school and for a job. I have even found people that saw PC experience and immediately offered me an apartment in their basement over other applicants just because of it.

Again, it is a very personal and complicated decision. Feel free to IM me if you want to talk it over. Also, make an appointment with the career center or the local PC recruiter office to discuss it.

One final word of advice: the application process is miserable and takes about a year. Be prepared.

RE:
Should I join the Peace Corps prior to graduate school?
I’ve long wanted to join the Peace Corps before heading off to get my M.A. in history. Recently, however, I’ve felt this plan may be impractical. SHouldn’t I moved towards grad school and getting a …

If you do the peace corps first, then putting your loans into forbearance/deferment will cost you less because there will be less loans. After your M.A., there will be more loans and thus higher interest accruing, which means more money every month. Less so if you go right after your B.A.

I’ve long thought about the peace corps – but my study abroad (four months in Southeast Asia) in third world countries has refined my thought of not having flush toilets or electricity.

I had similar thoughts when I was applying to PC in ’02. People seem to worry (including me) about time too much. Two years does “seem” like a long time, but trust me it goes by very fast and in the big scheme of things two years really isn’t very long. When you are 80, will two years really make a difference? Probably not.

I was a PCV in Eastern Europe recently and think it helped me careerwise. I’m in grad school now and am looking to work internationally in the future.

Talk to your parents about it, show them the PC promotional materials, and maybe have them attend one of the many information sessions that are put on by PC. Those are very helpful. My parents were worried when I applied, but I talked with them and they attended an info session. They quickly warmed up to the idea and even visited me for a couple weeks when I was in the PC!

Many times people look at life overseas and only think of the bad things they see on the news every night (which is only what the news focuses on, of course). Contrary to popular belief, there are many great things in this world and it’s much safer than what the corporate media says.

Good luck and go for it. You won’t regret it.

First, I wanted to join the PC myself. I put it off, as you are thinking of doing. I ended up pregnant and married. I had to wait until my child was old enough to even think about going. I put off grad school, but I got in at age 35, with glowing reports from my professors and the PC. I just kept in touch with the professors so that they never forgot me. That is very important.

You don’t really need money for the PC. But it is dangerous, depending on where you go. After all, the reason you are going is to help people, so what you may get is a dirt floor to sleep on, bad water that makes you sick, and wild animals and insects you have never seen. These types of things worry parents who have spent your whole life trying to make things easier on you…

It is a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

RE:
Should I join the Peace Corps prior to graduate school?
I’t I moved towards grad school and getting a job rather than putting this off for a 2 year P.C. assignment?

I think I would be a better person in the long run if I did join the P.C. The experience would be great for me. I could refine my spanish, which could help my chances of getting into better grad programs. Then again, I don’t have my abilities fresh in their minds.

Additionally, although they won’t give their reasoning, my parents are against me joining the P.C.

Maybe someone who’s run into a similiar problem, or been in the Peace Corp, could offer some advice.

After if you still want 2 go, then go, get your education 1rst.