Anonymous
11/24/2025 07:54
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real
A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made an enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.
Do you have any grasp of how high the percent of American girls and women who are sexually assaulted in their own neighborhoods, in their own homes???
SA happens to women EVERYWHERE. It’s no reason to refrain from travel/live abroad because the USA is very rapey too.
But surely you understand the great disadvantage of something like this happening to a woman in a third world country, especially when you may not be familiar with the culture, the laws process (or lack thereof), or have ability to get away from. It’s not like you can press charges, get a restraining order, and move in with your parents/friend, leave state, etc. when you are a young American woman working in Ghana
Anonymous
11/24/2025 05:13
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real
A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made an enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.
Do you have any grasp of how high the percent of American girls and women who are sexually assaulted in their own neighborhoods, in their own homes???
SA happens to women EVERYWHERE. It’s no reason to refrain from travel/live abroad because the USA is very rapey too.
Anonymous
11/24/2025 04:41
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real
Oh c'mon. The majority of Peace Corps volunteers are women. They're not getting raped and there are few "tragedies." Get a grip.
You are wrong. Sure, they have changed and improved some policies, but as a former PC member, you are naive to think otherwise
Anonymous
11/24/2025 02:07
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
OP - Have you considered Americorps?
I remember hearing a lot about funding cuts earlier in the year, but I'm not sure how that eventually played out. My friend who works at a legal nonprofit said they have new Americorps volunteers this year, as always.
I remember hearing a lot about funding cuts earlier in the year, but I'm not sure how that eventually played out. My friend who works at a legal nonprofit said they have new Americorps volunteers this year, as always.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 19:37
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
I leaned a lot about PC from this thread so thanks for asking, OP. I don’t know that I would suggest kid to ride out the economy by joining but this has been helpful all the same.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 17:42
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:OP here-- I realize I posted right before an early morning exam so let me add some much-needed context. Yes, the economy is a huge concern for me (it is for all grads...) but I was considering this anyways. It's just a bigger consideration now in light of what's going on. I have done cultural exchange in the past, and want to do more. It will be hard, but I am (relatively) comfortable being dropped with little language proficiency. I am also comfortable with roughing it out-- squatting over toilets is not too "ewwww," as one poster questioned. I'm particularly interested in the climate adaptation projects, but I need to do more research for that. Thank you everyone for your advice so far! Definitely interested in hearing more about the alumni networks, and trying to avoid stalling my career after graduation/PCorps if I do it.
There is an excellent PC subreddit with a lot of good information in there.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 14:40
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:OP here-- I realize I posted right before an early morning exam so let me add some much-needed context. Yes, the economy is a huge concern for me (it is for all grads...) but I was considering this anyways. It's just a bigger consideration now in light of what's going on. I have done cultural exchange in the past, and want to do more. It will be hard, but I am (relatively) comfortable being dropped with little language proficiency. I am also comfortable with roughing it out-- squatting over toilets is not too "ewwww," as one poster questioned. I'm particularly interested in the climate adaptation projects, but I need to do more research for that. Thank you everyone for your advice so far! Definitely interested in hearing more about the alumni networks, and trying to avoid stalling my career after graduation/PCorps if I do it.
OP, I thought you were the parent of a college student, not the student themselves. I think going into Peace Corps with your eyes wide open and an eye to future job prospects is great. I am the person who said if pit latrines make you go “ew” Peace Corps it not for you. I am hesitant of a parent pushing/suggesting Peace Corps as a career strategy. But if you would enjoy the cultural exchange, the challenge, and the personal growth - go for it. It is life changing. It’s just not something a parent should push on their young adult.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 14:33
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
OP here-- I realize I posted right before an early morning exam so let me add some much-needed context. Yes, the economy is a huge concern for me (it is for all grads...) but I was considering this anyways. It's just a bigger consideration now in light of what's going on. I have done cultural exchange in the past, and want to do more. It will be hard, but I am (relatively) comfortable being dropped with little language proficiency. I am also comfortable with roughing it out-- squatting over toilets is not too "ewwww," as one poster questioned. I'm particularly interested in the climate adaptation projects, but I need to do more research for that. Thank you everyone for your advice so far! Definitely interested in hearing more about the alumni networks, and trying to avoid stalling my career after graduation/PCorps if I do it.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:29
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:PP is correct about the difficulty of the job. I will also add that it is a pretty competitive selection process. I’m actually surprised Trump hasn’t cut funding for the Peace Corps.
The bolded would be a major concern for me. But if your kid is passionate about, they should apply. They should have a backup plan no matter what.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:28
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:I am kind of shocked I have not yet heard about the Teach for America program being suspended, naming that program in particular because it was a way to tap students from top universities to teach in low-funded school districts for 1-2 years and in return get some student loan forgiveness before moving on.
I guess it's just being lost in pushing so many endangered species off the cliff to reap the kills it's just been lost in the general massive carnage of social and academic and research programs.
What on earth are you talking about? TFA is not a government program, it's a non-profit program; it hasn't been suspended; and its participants are paid by the schools and there's no "loan forgiveness" involved.
Maybe you're thinking of Americorps?
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:24
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
I am kind of shocked I have not yet heard about the Teach for America program being suspended, naming that program in particular because it was a way to tap students from top universities to teach in low-funded school districts for 1-2 years and in return get some student loan forgiveness before moving on.
I guess it's just being lost in pushing so many endangered species off the cliff to reap the kills it's just been lost in the general massive carnage of social and academic and research programs.
I guess it's just being lost in pushing so many endangered species off the cliff to reap the kills it's just been lost in the general massive carnage of social and academic and research programs.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:19
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real
A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made a enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.
Yeah well, I'm sorry for her and them but that doesn't mean you can generalize the way you did. I had a daughter in the Peace Corps and it was a wonderful and life enhancing experience not only for her but virtually every one else in the Corps she knew.
There's sexual assault everywhere, sadly.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:12
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real
A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made a enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:08
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
Nobody joins the Peace Corps to ride out the economy and the Peace Corps is likely to weed out anyone seeking to join for that reason in the selection process. You obviously don't know a thing about the Peace Corps.
Anonymous
11/23/2025 11:05
Subject: For new grads: Peace Corps?
I would ride things out in grad school instead.