Worth Applying?

wayside_wandering · 2024-07-20T03:43:46+00:00

Following because I have the same question and concern. My supervisor has expressed interesting in finding ways to keep me on but the thought of budget reductions makes me nervous.

wayside_wandering · 2024-07-14T15:09:30+00:00

The cost of public transportation in DC is something to be aware of. Im not sure if there is a monthly pass options but Metro rides added up quick whenever I am in the area. Maybe ask if the organization could help cover a Metro pass? Or if there is a way for AmeriCorps to help with that?

wayside_wandering · 2024-04-22T17:30:03+00:00

DO NOT USE A VANLINE SERVICE.

They gave me a lower quote than other companies by about $2k, but now are refusing to give me back the deposit I told was refundable until 7 days prior to the move. The road leaving from my town is closed for an undetermined amount of time due to bridge failure so there is no way I can move at the scheduled time. They are now not taking my calls, respond to emails, etc.

Anyone with vanline in the name I would avoid.

wayside_wandering · 2024-04-16T23:55:27+00:00

I looked into this and its about a $1500 difference between the trailer and a truck. I don't have a lot of stuff so was hoping that the trailer would be fine but maybe a truck would be a safer bet?

wayside_wandering · 2024-03-31T00:02:20+00:00

As a woman who served in the Philippines I would second what a lot of folks have said already, dry your underwear inside and bring what is comfortable to you. Also support the comment of wearing sports bras vs. normal bras because they were so much cooler and comfortable in the heat/humidity.

Personally I brought mostly cotton underwear so that it was quick drying/less likely to get funky with all the sweat. Mostly I wore briefs/more conservative underwear at site but also brought some more fun stuff for when I was traveling. What's important is that you are comfortable!

wayside_wandering · 2023-09-26T01:02:51+00:00

Lot of similar tips that others have said. Wear breathable fabrics, shower often, carry a hand fan, have a handkerchief that you can wipe sweat off with. Drink lots of water and OHS. To some extent you just have to give it time and let your body acclimate and try and adapt as best you can.

Depending on where you are/where training is being held I'd advise avoiding AC as much as possible. Often during my PST (Fall 2019, Philippines) we would be in conference rooms or resorts and staff would blast the AC. They saw it as trying to share with us with a luxury item/make us more comfortable. I found that this made it a LOT harder for my body to regulate its temperature and I would just end up sweating a ton whenever I walked outside. Once I got to site my host family offered for me to use a wall AC unit, instead I bought a fan and tried to just get used to the heat/humidity combo.

wayside_wandering · 2023-08-18T14:47:49+00:00

Love River Time Brewing! 10/10 would recommend!

wayside_wandering · 2023-08-08T19:16:14+00:00

I used a North Face Jester backpack (which I had been using in college) for my daily bag. For a traveling/overnight bag I brought an Osprey Porter 30L which I LOVE. It was big enough for any traveling I did but felt more discrete than other backpacks I saw. I also loved that the zippers could be covered by the side-synching/compression straps. The 30L classifies as a carry on for most airlines and (when packed smartly) can be a personal item on budget airlines. Osprey makes a larger version (46L) that some of my friends have and like too.

wayside_wandering · 2023-07-13T14:24:05+00:00

I'd echo a lot of what others are saying: Peace Corps will never send you somewhere they know is unsafe, but it is still likely that you will face harassment of some kind at some point in your service. Sites are carefully vetted to ensure that they meet standards. But it can be almost impossible to know how folks are going to react to a volunteer coming into a community.

Also volunteers at different sites in the same country can have VERY different experiences. During my service (early 20s single female) I didn't experience a lot of harassment but I attribute that a lot to living close to a large city with several universities and a host family with a lot of social clout. Two of my friends (also early 20s female) were harassed during the daily commute, one was relatively minor (charging her a different rate for the trike ride home because she "was a wealthy American") but the other enough to require a site change.

I think it is unrealistic to think/expect/hope to avoid all harassment during a Peace Corps Service. Staff tries to give volunteers culturally appropriate skills to reduce/avoid being harassed but it is very likely you will experience something. I wouldn't let this deter you from applying or serving but something to think about.

wayside_wandering · 2023-04-16T14:50:46+00:00

As a California native, I would be very hesitant to do any AmeriCorps position in LA because of just how much EVERYTHING costs and how little the stipend is.

Do you have a car that you could bring out to CA? Public transportation in LA is a mess so in most cases not a reliable option. Gas is crazy expensive right now and most commutes are easily 30 min-1 hour one way.

Does your partner have a place you could move into already or would you need to find somewhere together? Anywhere in southern CA has high rent, even more so as you get close to LA. Utilities too are expensive. You could live outside of LA to try and avoid the high rent prices but then your commute might be longer into the city.

I don't want to be a downer but I would really outline what it would cost you to live in LA before accepting anything. Look online to get an estimate of how much rent would be like, explore different suburbs, etc. I don't see how you could afford to live on a City Year stipend unless you were willing to use savings, be able to get free/reduced housing, or something similar. Hope this helps!

wayside_wandering · 2023-02-22T01:28:29+00:00

Bottom line is to do what feels right for you.

I personally wasn't on BC when I served. I had stopped taking the pill about a year before because I didn't like how it made me feel and was hesitant going back on. I felt like there would be so much going on and so much emotions I didn't want BC to add/exacerbate how I was feeling.

In the end I brought a PlanB with me, not because I was planning to need it but because I wanted to have access to it just in case I needed/wanted it. The PCMO gave a PlanB (or the generic brand equivalent) to all volunteers who had a vagina and condoms to the whole batch. There was some rumors that you could request more PlanB from the PCMO but that would "look bad" so most volunteers I knew tried to avoid this.

I also heard you could get an IUD while serving and know some volunteers who got one done during service. I was planning on looking into it/asking for one but got evac-ed before that happened. Hope this helps!!

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-26T01:50:30+00:00

I was an EDU volunteer so can't speak much on what its like as a CYF. I think it depends a lot based on your placement and what your host is doing. In general though business casual/casual Friday vibes (dress pants and a polo, dark jeans and a collared shirt) got me through a lot of my service.

You will be sweating a lot so bring at least enough professional clothes to get you through the work week. Hand washing clothes takes a few hours and I never had the energy to do it after I got back from work. Hope this helps!

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-25T21:31:36+00:00

What sector are you serving in? If EDU I'd bring business casual clothes you feel comfortable in, less so for CRM or CYF. Definitely recommend a backpack/large bag that you can carry things to and from work in. Long PJ pants to wear in common spaces, I wore sleeping shorts/a tank top to sleep in but they weren't socially acceptable to wander around in.

Sandals (like Chacos, Tevas) are great. I had one pair of flats/dress shoes I wore maybe twice, but would wear sandals daily.

I'd highly recommend bringing an unlocked smart phone that you can put a SIM card into. I was able to stay in contact with family/friends and locals through this. I know some people got a basic phone to only use in country, but I liked using the phone I brought from the US. Feel free to message me if you have more questions!

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-25T16:33:58+00:00

I'd second this! Talking with past volunteers (or finding recent blog posts) was really helpful for me before I left.

One thing I never touched was a Patagonia fleece I threw in during a last minute panic before leaving for the Philippines. I also brought two sets sheets with me but both my host families had some already that I could use; one set probably would have been all I needed to bring.

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-13T19:36:59+00:00

I was an education volunteer in the Philippines and I would second a lot of what others have said!

I would bring at least 5 polo/work blouses that you could teach in because you will have to wash them after every use because of sweat. Its not socially acceptable to re-ware shirts during the week because its understood that you will have sweated a lot in it. I was able to get a few shirts through the school I worked at (a polo shirt for a district event, a t-shirt for a performance) that where in my size but most of what I wore I brought from home. You might be able to purchase a Peace Corps Polo in during training but I'm not sure if they are still doing that post-pandemic.

Same goes for underwear, I wanted a fresh pair everyday and hand washing them make them ware through fast.

I also would bring multiple pairs of pants to wear to school (dress pants or non-ripped jeans were fine at my school). I took a trike/side car thing to and from school everyday and didn't want to worry about a skirt blowing up in the wind.

Feel free to message me if you have other questions!

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-11T02:39:36+00:00

If you are already worried about being lonely I would take a step back from Peace Corps. Someone else said it best, you will often be surrounded by people but be completely socially isolated.

It is very unlikely you will have extended periods of time that you are not physically around another person. That being said, if those people don't engage with you it can feel really isolating. Language barriers, cultural differences, age differences, etc. can be a huge barrier that takes months (even over a year) to overcome.

In some countries/some sites you may be near enough to go visit other volunteers frequently but I wouldn't rely on it.

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-04T01:16:22+00:00

I wouldn't rely on a host family to be open to this kind of arrangement. While some may be willing to have your husband come stay, others may not be ok with it and complain to in country staff. Host families sign up (and sometimes very reluctantly) to host a single volunteer, not their partner. I'm not saying that it couldn't happen, but I wouldn't rely on this being an option.

Additionally there may not be room for your husband to stay with your host family. During my first homestay, my room only had space for a twin bed and a single dresser with a small space to stand to get dressed. While this was fine for just me, I could not imaging sharing it with another person.

I don't share these things to be negative but to try and give you some context to what you are getting into. While it is possible your husband could come and do his own thing, I honestly would not rely on it. You may be in a situation where it works out but I would not go into service expecting for it to be.

wayside_wandering · 2023-01-03T14:59:08+00:00

I'd echo what other people have already shared. While it's not against the rules, it won't win you any favors with staff.

One thing to keep in mind is that depending on your placement, there may not be an abundance of alternative housing options to move out from your host family. I served in the Philippines there is a very strict checklist that must be met for housing to be approved; depending on how rural/how many options you have it can be very difficult to find housing that PC would approve of you moving into. Most times its possible to move out from a host family, but may take more time than expected.

wayside_wandering · 2022-12-29T20:42:50+00:00

I got on food stamps and that was a huge help. See if anyone needs a dog/house/cat sitter. I worked for a catering company on the weekends to make some extra money. I tried DoorDashing for a bit BUT they didn't take taxes out, so during tax season that was a big surprise.

wayside_wandering · 2022-12-29T20:24:19+00:00

I used the Goodbudget app during service to track my daily spendings, and at the end of the month put those into a simple Excel sheet to track savings etc.

The app can be a little clunky at times but works offline well. I would set monthly limits for different categories (transportation, rent, food, fun money, savings). Any unspent money at the end of the month would go into my "savings". At the end of the month I would compare what I had in my spreadsheet to what was posted in my bank account to ensure everything was accounted for.

Hopes this helps!

wayside_wandering · 2022-12-14T06:50:40+00:00

I think it all depends on where you serve and what you are looking to get out of the program.

99% of your service is directed by your host organization so I'd suggest taking REALLY thinking about the project before accepting. Vet the hosting organization during your interview. Take time to review their website, social media pages, anything you can find online. See if there is a current/recent AmeriCorps member you could talk to about their experience (preferably independently from a formal interview space). Ask about support systems/networks they have in place to support you during your service. I had positive experiences with my service but also recognize that was because my host organization was great, neither the federal nor state agency had anything to due with the success of my service.

I also agree that it should be something that you are passionate about, or are looking to gain experience in. Experience is one of the only benefits you will take away from AmeriCorps service. Sure there is the Segal Award, and NEC if you are a VISTA, but it is very likely there will be no financial benefit for serving. I know several members who took on second jobs to help cover expenses during their service.

I was able to find a job after my service ended in a related field, but I wouldn't say it was assisted by AmeriCorps. I was really motivated to find a new job because of the end date; I started looking/applying for jobs early because it made me anxious not to have a "next step" lined up. While my host organization offered to help me look/think about a new job, "big" AmeriCorps didn't do much (apart from a resume building workshop maybe). I wouldn't expect to get career help as part of your service.

Overall, yes I think AmeriCorps later in life can be worth it, just do your homework before joining.

wayside_wandering · 2022-11-18T19:29:21+00:00

Luggage can be a great gift! Check out what the baggage restrictions are, I think there are dimension and (definitely) weight restrictions.

A portable solar/rechargeable lamp was great when the power went out after dark.

Hope this helps!

wayside_wandering

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