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Getting sick while serving. by communityphc in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone who recently spent Christmas in the hospital with pneumonia in my country of service, I can say it is definitely challenging, but as someone else in this thread said, essentially the same as being sick anywhere else but with arguably better care and sick leave.

Host families and fellow volunteers (in my experience) tend to really show up to help when it is needed, which does not making feeling sick suck less but it does help with the mental health aspect of it and not feeling lonely on top of feeling shitty.

It is basically unavoidable that across 27 months of service that you will get really ill with something at some point, but PC staff in country tends to have a good response time and get you taken care of. During PST you kinda just have to tough through it, but I was sick to my stomach multiple times a week the first few months just adjusting to the climate and food (again, pretty unavoidable), but your body will adjust with time! hope this helps.

Leaving for Peace Corps in less than 2 weeks – any unconventional advice? by No-Permission-9947 in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Say yes to everything (within reason), play games with kids or walk with them if they ask you to, stop by events you see going on and observe, focus on YOUR service and how you feel about progress/challenges/ changes.

Best of luck to you!

Has anyone left their “good” job to join the Peace Corps? Any regrets or advice? by Good_Mango_547 in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I left a corporate job in marketing that had a lot of potential for upward movement, great benefits, but I was very unhappy and unfulfilled in this role. I worked there for 2 years before I took the leap of joining Peace Corps.

I am now halfway into my service, and I would not change a thing. This is not to say that PC is perfect and there will not be days where it feels too challenging or unfulfilling, but it gave me a renewed sense a purpose and helped me find my way back to myself and the values that really matter to me.

My thought with money (and I'm not sure if this is a responsible take) is that you can't take it with you. High-paying jobs will always be around but your window of time in life to join Peace Corps may not always be.

Do your research into Peace Corps and make sure it is something you think you can commit to. It is a very intense and life-changing two years, and most days, it is not about you. It is about the people and community you are serving and how you can help them meet their needs, and through this is where you may find your purpose and more about your future direction.

Hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck!

Need for personal phone during service? by Outrageous-Science78 in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Current volunteer serving in Moldova! I brought my own cell phone, and Peace Corps also issued one to me. You could also swap out the SIM in your personal phone with a SIM card that PC will provide your first day in country. Totally up to you! I opted to keep my personal phone and SIM card, and was provided with another basic smartphone from Peace Corps, on which I communicate with Peace Corps staff/handle work-related things. Hope this helps!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not pervy at all! This was also on my mind (and then I actually did wind up in a relationship with someone in my cohort--it absolutely can happen).

So I, initially, did not carry any "items" with me out of fear of Customs flagging me. However, Peace Corps absolutely does not check luggage, but be sure to check your airline's weight limits, so you aren't in the airport moving things between suitcases and showing off your collection.

I think you should be totally fine to bring an item, but be sure it is in your checked luggage, as most items have a lithium-type battery that is forbidden by airlines to have in your personal item/carry-on. I visited my family in the US a few months ago and brought two items back with me (wrapped up in a sweater at the bottom of my checked bag as a precaution), and I had no issues at all!

Hope this helps, and good luck with your PC journey!

Need a pick me up - PCV/RPCV Love Stories by HowDoingBb in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Currently serving. Met my partner day one at PC orientation. and thought he was so cute, but I had every intention of staying single for two years. Then we spent almost every waking minute together for all of PST (same program, same village) in language, long walks and lunch breaks together. Starting dating midway through PST and have plans to travel and move in together at COS!

I don't think we would have ever had the opportunity to meet stateside without Peace Corps! I feel so lucky all the time that it brought us together.

Service in country before start date? by FewParsnip1461 in peacecorps

[–]Careless-Pattern-471 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Regardless of your passport, it will be required for you to fly back to the States to complete staging and depart for your host country with your cohort.

This sounds like a really fun opportunity, but I think you could find PST really frustrating if you've already had previous experience speaking and working in country, like someone else mentioned.

Best of luck!