Contemplating

I've decided I'm going to school again, this time to get an AA in Computer Sciences. Meaning, programming classes, hopefully computer repair classes, and all that jazz. All this so I can follow up on what I really want to do, which is see the world, through the Peace Corps. I figure 2 years of classes now, and learning what I want to learn, and going out for however many years I can handle if I make it into the Peace Corps; then coming back to either find a job, take more classes, or join again is something I can actually think about. Volunteering is something I've thought about for a long while. I just can't live off of it. But I figure if I can learn a 'life' skill, go volunteer it for how ever long, then make a living off of it after is something I can live with.

Now, does any body have any experiences they would be willing to share with me? Stories of life in a new country would help me a lot. Whether you knew the language or not doesn't matter, as they have a lengthy period of training to teach you about your host country. Also, the length of time you spent in the country would be nice to know.

I haven't told my parents yet what I plan on doing; all they know is I'm going back to school for Computer Sciences. I figure I can tell them after I've got some classes under my belt, and when I've thought about this more.

I'm interested in the Peace Corps as well.
I wanted to volunteer before going to college but I believe the majority of people who are accepted are college graduates, I decided to go to school first... bummer.
Also, I think the Peace Corps has a 2 year commitment thing, be prepared for a long time away from home.
Sorry I don't have much experience to share.

Anyway, you have a great goal.
Go for it, man.

I want to join after i get my BA! so hopefully they'll put me in a teaching envrioment rather than a digging toilets one.

probably not the story youre looking for but...

I came to the US 5 years ago, after being born and raised in France. Both of my parents were American, and english it taught in school from a young age, so i didn't really have any language barriers to fight against, but it was really interesting moving from a big city in France to a big city in the US.

good lucky!

I wanted to volunteer before school, also. I was rooting around their site and some of the forums around about the Peace Corps, and I figured it would just be easier to get in with an Associates degree. Also, the length is two years, three
months away from home, and I'm willing to be away that long. The only thing I'm worried about now is paying for the two years of classes. I know the Peace Corps has a sort of deferment type deal to help with it, but I'd like to pay for as much of it myself as possible.

What do you want to do when you join, or where do you want to go?



I don't mind what I'm doing where ever they send me, as long as my degree comes into play most of the time. I've done hard labor in and out of the city I live in, and most of it was done in my home town.

If you don't mind my asking, what are you getting your BA in, or what are you wanting to teach when you join? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I'm just curious :3. Also, where do you want to go?

How different are the cities? Like, do you see people doing the same things everyday, just in different languages (lol)? Do customs vary, or are mannerisms different? Sorry I'm asking so many questions, I'm really curious, and it's part of the reason I want to get out and see the world.

i cant believe i said "good lucky"...

i recently made the switch from an engineering to english degree, with my ultimate goal being becoming a librarian. id like to work with youth in the peace corps, if thats possible. my plan is to go to Morocco, because i already speak french. that way id only have to learn arabic.

france and the US are only really different in the laws that are observed(ie drinking age=16, cant drive until 19). giving gifts and dinner customs are the only HUGE difference i can really think of right now. less fat people?

I'd like to be in the education or business development field, I really wouldn't mind helping out in agriculture or other labor areas though.
I'm hoping to go to Thailand or Mongolia, volunteering there would be a great challenge for me.

Oh man, I was going to try to teach myself Moroccan Arabic. I've got enough to teach me how to get by, but I haven't started, and probably won't now. I'm going to wait until I get in to see where I'm going. I might try to learn more Spanish, or start French, but I don't know if I should. I know it would help my chances of getting in, but it's a lot of work, because I want to be in the P.C. in two years, and I'm already going to be busting ass this summer. I'm hoping to go the next year and a half straight, and if I can get most of my classes done within this time period, I'll consider taking a language before I graduate. But, my over all goal is to get my AA, then volunteer, then get my BA, then try to volunteer again if I liked the experience. By then, I'll be 30, and still jobless :p




That's awesome. I know I'd be open to labor, but agriculture is something I don't know if I can do if it involves hay. Allergies suck. Anything but hay, I'd be willing to work with.

I have no idea where I'd want to go still; but when the time comes, I think I'll be able to handle where ever I go.

Being computer techy? I was thinking of going to collage for that stuff.
And lol at the peace corps. :p

Hopefully after I get my BA, I can volunteer in Operation Smile or the Red Cross. They require that you have at least 2 years of hospital experience, so it will take awhile before I can fulfill one of my dreams.

lol at 'collage', I like putting together artsy things! Hahaha

That is crazy cool. Operation Smile sounds like something I would do if I was a Medical major. The Red Cross is also cool. I've yet to give blood, though D: I've wanted to for a while.