Presented By: Erin Mone-Marquez, Regional Director of Recruitment

The Peace Corps Experience “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love”

What is Peace Corps?

An independent U.S. Government Agency that sends American citizens overseas to work as volunteers in international development assignments FOR 27 MONTHS.

Mission and Goals

To promote world peace and friendship by:

helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women;

helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served;

helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Volunteer Programs

Statistics based on data as of September 2009

Education and Youth and Community Development

40%

Health and HIV/AIDS

22%

Environment

14%

Business Development and Information

Technology

15%

Agriculture

5%

Other 4%

Volunteer Locations – 77 Countries

The Caribbean

Latin America

Eastern Europe/ Central Asia

North Africa and the Middle East

Asia

Pacific Islands

Africa

Statistics based on requests for Volunteers as of 10/09

Benefits During Service

Student loan deferment and/or partial cancellation

Travel to and from country of service Full medical and dental care Living allowance 48 paid vacation days “Home leave” for family emergencies Language, cross-cultural, and technical

training

Benefits After Service

Just over $7,000 “readjustment” allowance upon completion of service

One year of non-competitive eligibility status for federal jobs

Graduate school opportunities Returned Volunteer network Reasonably priced health insurance for 18

months following service Professional benefits, including language

fluency, international experience, and cross-cultural understanding

Eligibility

At least 18 years of age U.S. citizenship In good health Desire to help other people help themselves A sense of adventure Volunteer experience and language skills are

a plus Some combination of education, skills, and life

experience