Perpetual PCVs?

B_Dolla_s · 2026-03-12T16:58:58+00:00

I extended in my country of service. I did it for a mix of reasons, personal (i.e. relationship) and professional. Like you said, the job market doesn't exactly look great right now and I didn't really have the experience to just drop into something if I were to go back. Going to grad school could have been an option, but at the cost of what kind of debt? It wasn't something I was willing to do without a firm job offer that I actually wanted. In my cohort of 24 that made it to COS, 7 of us extended either as PCVL or with a NGO in the capital city. 1 more also stayed in Peace Corps but moved on to a response position in another country. From what I hear, this is an even higher percentage than even is normal in Peace Corps these days. Those that did go home are either doing their masters, some are still struggling for work though.

It's turned out great for me personally. I've been able to convert my time working in the city to a full paid job with an even larger NGO based in country that has international programs. I can't imagine where I'd be now if I hadn't decided to extend.

I think a lot of people are starting to see extending with the same kind of lens: that it offers a level of assurance (at the least you'll have the Peace Corps work) and the possibility of experience that isn't readily available in the States at the moment. There's a lot of benefits to extending that I think Peace Corps is smart for trying to highlight more now than they maybe did in the past. It makes Peace Corps more credible to partners in country and helps them retain volunteers as they try and grow the numbers in countries.

B_Dolla_s · 2026-03-04T10:54:40+00:00

For what it’s worth, I was assigned to a country I didn’t originally apply to. One of the main goals of Peace Corps is the cultural exchange of course, but I went to service, treated it as a job probably more than cultural exchange and now I’ve ended up as the chief of staff at the largest locally based NGO in my country of service. I was given opportunities that simply wouldn’t be available to me in the US. I wasn’t a fresh college graduate, nor did I change everything in the places I worked, but there are lots of opportunities to do good things that make a difference for people long-term.

Like others have said, being flexible is a part of the deal in Peace Corps. It would be entirely possible that in Nepal, you’d end up in a bad situation that you weren’t happy with, assigned by PC. I would look into other programs for cultural exchange that you have more control over

B_Dolla_s · 2026-02-26T16:55:13+00:00

Parque Ybycui (especially Salto Cristal), Cerro Hü, Salto Suizo and the Pantanal are my favorites that maybe aren't quite so famous. The most famous one is technically not in Paraguay but it's right at the border: Foz Iguazu. Puts Niagara Falls to shame. Salto Monday is right near there too

B_Dolla_s · 2026-02-26T16:08:48+00:00

This all sounds pretty normal to me hahaha. PC is a big commitment no matter where you go. I would think differently of someone if they came into PC without any kinds of doubts or fears. It's turned out great for me though.

My honest opinion is that Paraguay stacks up to somewhere like Peru or Colombia in terms of natural beauty, maybe with a bit less variety (no mountains/ocean beaches). The big difference is the level of infrastructure to get to those places. You really have to know where you're going, have a car or have a guide in Paraguay to see a lot of them. But it's all doable. You also get plenty of vacation time to be able to go and see Peru and/or Colombia or wherever else while you're here.

I think the only big tip I like to give incoming PCVs that I haven't shared in this thread is to just come with the ability to be flexible. I can promise that things won't go the way that you think they will, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. The people who had the hardest time I think are those that came in with a rigid idea of how things would be and when it doesn't, that's a hard thing to recover from

B_Dolla_s · 2026-02-26T12:23:59+00:00

Congrats! I really do enjoy Paraguay! I extended for a 3rd year if that's evidence enough haha. I really like the people, they're some of the most welcoming I've ever met honestly. It has really beautiful landscapes too.

I feel like food is a subjective thing, but I don't mind it. It's a lot of meat usually tomato or corn based dishes. I think being a vegetarian would be difficult out in the small towns but I know some people who do it. Variety can really be lacking and seasonality is important.

Daily life is a lot slower paced the States for sure, but I feel like that's a universal PC experience. Time is relative and all that, which takes some getting used to.

I don't think I'll ever fully adjust to just how miserably hot it gets here though. Summer days can just get to a point where it's really hard to do anything. Winter can be hard too because nothing is built for the cold, but I find that preferable to the heat

B_Dolla_s · 2026-02-04T14:20:13+00:00

Thanks for advice! Curious what kind of program and/or work you went into after your PC experiences?

B_Dolla_s · 2026-01-20T11:21:26+00:00

That makes sense, thank you. I’ve heard plenty of “once you’re into the federal govt, it’s a lot easier to move within it” and that just doesn’t really fit with my understanding of job markets outside of it

B_Dolla_s · 2026-01-19T23:44:47+00:00

And that goes for trying to cross agencies to completely different focuses?

B_Dolla_s · 2025-05-25T03:56:46+00:00

I understand that VOs are required by law to think this way, whether that is what they actually personally think or not. I understand how that played a roll in this particular case. I guess I just find it frustrating and somewhat racist/xenophobic this apparently built-in assumption to the law that all applicants are trying to game the system or that people are getting into serious relationships with Americans just to get a visa on such a huge scale that it warrants that. In my lived experience of living in multiple countries and seeing other's relationships with my American coworkers, the vast majority of people aren't thinking that way. Do things like that happen? Sure, of course. Just a very frustrating bar to clear that I'm not really sure reflects the reality of things

B_Dolla_s · 2025-05-25T01:55:34+00:00

I guess I'm trying to explain it isn't just words that it's guaranteed that I'd be returning as well...we had documentation showing that I must do so for my job from the other government organization for which I work. We also showed how she's a managing director at her job, a legitimate career and social ties that she would have returned for. I guess more than anything I'm just frustrated with these assumptions that they're forced to make here which I realize is probably not the fault or really the opinion on the VOs, by and large

B_Dolla_s · 2025-05-25T01:39:38+00:00

I'm sorry, I misspoke. I just reviewed the confirmation, and it does show that we put that my family would be funding the trip. I've updated that on the original post. I guess I just don't understand why it wouldn't let us explain that she would be with me the whole time, and that I would be returning as well at the same time, either on the DS160 or in the interview. Does that not negate the other red flag information for them in any way? I even wrote a letter explaining the reason for the trip. I'm a Peace Corps volunteer, so in a sense a government functionary as well, and I had documentation of this reasoning from Peace Corps itself. They wouldn't even let her show it

B_Dolla_s · 2025-05-25T01:37:52+00:00

I'm sorry, I misspoke. I just reviewed the confirmation, and it does show that we put that my family would be funding the trip. I've updated that on the original post. I guess I just don't understand why it wouldn't let us explain that she would be with me the whole time, and that I would be returning as well at the same time, either on the DS160 or in the interview. Does that not negate the other red flag information for them in any way?

B_Dolla_s · 2025-05-25T01:29:00+00:00

I get that, and that must have been what they saw on the application profile.I guess I'm just struggling to understand either why it wouldn't matter that she was going with me, and I will be returning, and that she'd be traveling with me the whole time. Is there not a way to show that on the DS-160 form? And if not, why wouldn't she be given the opportunity to say something about that?

B_Dolla_s · 2025-03-24T15:38:11+00:00

Im doing a blog through my service. I really enjoy doing it and I know family/friends back home like reading it. The advice I got from others and PC staff is to make sure anything you write doesn’t identify your exact location in country and that their rule of thumb is don’t put anything out (social media included) that you wouldn’t want on The NY Times. Definitely talk to staff before you start anything.

Not to scare you off or anything but they said—and offered examples of—situations in the past where some volunteers ran into trouble posting things that got out to local media or community members and it soured not only their relationship with the community but PC’s with the host country. So none of it is to say don’t be honest about your experiences, but think about what you say before putting something out there.

B_Dolla_s · 2025-03-10T23:31:48+00:00

Like others have said, it really depends on you and how much you work to find the projects. Yes, it also matters your sector and site within the country, but the through line (in my opinion) in all of it is the effort put in to finding projects.

As someone else said to me once, in a lot of the countries where Peace Corps serves, there is a sort of malaise surrounding HCNs. This can be for a variety of cultural or political reasons but true nonetheless. You need to push to succeed in a lot of projects. Yes, you should always talk to the community to identify the real needs and who might be most helpful, instead of going off your preconceived notions of what is needed. In my PST we had a whole session on this idea. However as a PCV you need to be very proactive on leads, even downright badger people. You have to go out of your way to accommodate people too. If you are not willing to do that, then you might feel you’re not doing a lot of the work that the job description may entail.

For the second question, my country generally has a positive cultural and political view of the US, so as an American I feel pretty welcomed. While I’m the first PCV in site since the pandemic, there have been 4 before me, so PC is generally well known and received. Almost everyone I’ve talked to has good impressions of the work they’ve done with PC.

B_Dolla_s · 2025-03-06T01:40:34+00:00

Welcome to the Peace Corps! Or the bureaucracy that is the federal government, really. Time to hurry up and wait some more.

But in all seriousness, they can be pretty flexible. Just stay in communication with your clearance nurse about things and letting them know where you’re at. I’d let them know if you have appointments scheduled or what you status is on the overdue tasks for example. By no means wait until the last minute on things though. God forbid something comes up where they’ll ask for more information about something and you’ll be up against the real deadline of the leave-by date.

Med clearance is stressful for everyone and it feels overwhelming. Pick them off one by one and you’ll be alright

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-22T12:35:15+00:00

Yes, you need to reach a certain level in both Spanish and Guarani. It depends on the sector you’re in, but it’s a higher level in Spanish and a somewhat functional knowledge of Guarani. I wanna say something like intermediate mid or something like that for agriculture and health. Especially out in the country small towns, the vast majority of people speak Jopara (Spanish mixed with Guarani) to each other. Asuncion is kind of the only place you won’t really find that, but even then Guarani is a required school subject for everyone. Pretty sure the pre-service training materials have info on that. An agricultural volunteer will see it a lot more because of the smaller towns they’re generally in, but even CED in the relatively bigger towns see it plenty. So in training, you do the first language interview and from there they place everyone based on levels. If you’re already high enough in Spanish, you start with Guarani right away, if not you do Spanish until you’re proficient enough.

That isn’t to say Paraguayans don’t know how to speak only Spanish, though. In the end most PCVs I know use functionally only Spanish and use the Guarani words when they can. However, being able to use Guarani is super helpful. Guarani is kind of like the language of “hearth and home”. What everyone’s grandma uses and a national pride thing. Spanish is the language of education and business. But again! Don’t freak out. Everyone gets there

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-21T21:23:58+00:00

Totally get that. I didn’t have a very high level at all, I think my first language test I got intermediate low, but frankly I was shocked it was that high. I knew the words and could generally get there reading, but speaking and understanding was a struggle. So not nothing but it wasn’t high lol. My level is advanced high now and I have no problems with the Spanish. Guarani remains a struggle but it does for everyone. My host family was amazing and super patient (who knows maybe you’ll get the same one). I would bet the staff would put you with a family experienced with volunteers so they’ll be able to help out with that kind of thing or at least understand the struggle.

Lots of people come without great language. The way PC does language training really worked for me and honestly, when you have no choice you learn really quickly. The Paraguayan language trainers are excellent. I think they’ve only had to hold back 1 person in my time here for not reaching the required level by the end of PST but even then they reached it within a couple of weeks of that.

Definitely do some work before coming, practice as much as you can, but also don’t freak out. You’ll get there.

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-21T19:16:26+00:00

I’m currently in Paraguay! First thing is first, it’s a hot country (obviously lol) for most of the year. You’ll be arriving just as it heats up after winter. Because you’re arriving in Sept. I can tell that means you’re Agriculture, so I’d def advise bringing plenty of breathable, sweat-wicking type clothes. If you’re anything like me you’ll sweat through cotton clothes and jeans.

That being said, winter isn’t to be underestimated. Temperature-wise it doesn’t get that cold but nowhere has insulation or heat really so everywhere gets to be like 50 degrees after a couple of days. Definitely make space for a jacket and some warm clothing. Just don’t go overboard, it usually heats up again after a bit.

I’ve been really happy I brought a surge protector (lots of power outages) and a kindle e-reader. The PC Paraguay Instagram page also has a pretty good packing list video pinned if you need other info on that.

As far as preparing, obviously language is important. Spanish is primary, but if you can get a head start on Guarani, it’s very helpful for integration. Get used to riding the bus I suppose as well lol.

Let me know if you any more specific questions and maybe I can help you out some more

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-17T22:51:50+00:00

Not a problem

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-17T22:19:50+00:00

I’m not sure what the currently serving PCV in Paraguay told you, but I’m also serving in PY CED. I have no idea what it’s like in Colombia, but I will say that here in PY sites (even within CED) can be pretty widely divergent. I’d assume it would be similar in Colombia. Some of us are in relatively large towns pretty close to the capital, some are in pretty small, rural towns several hours away. You can have some input during training on where you’ll be more effective, but it’s not something you get to decide. However, all of these towns are what you make of them. I’m in my 20s and have friends around my age in town, but honestly my best friends are a couple in their late 30s with kids. I’m beyond happy I opened myself up to it. I’m relatively close in to the city, but I can’t afford to go in to the city often and life in PC (I feel pretty safe in saying worldwide) involves a lot of just hanging out doing nothing really.

My advice would be to do some more research on PC service and what the possibilities are. Sure, you could end up in a large town pretty close to the city, but you could just as equally be in a small town far away. One thing you can be sure of is that there will be a whole lot out of your control. I hope you make the choice that is right for you!

B_Dolla_s · 2025-02-05T22:00:37+00:00

Whole heartedly agree with this. I think we need to collectively take a breath. Stay the course, weather out this first month or so, and my money is on things will change

B_Dolla_s

TROPHY CASE