Peace Corps

I'd like to hear any first hand experiences from people who have served in this program. Currently facing a fork in the road, and have narrowed the options down to a college major that I am not confident in, or giving back to a community overseas. Thanks for your input NS!
 
What is the major you are looking at taking? I had no idea what I wanted to do going into college and it turned out to be 4 of the best years of my life. Just because you're unsure of a major isn't a good reason to not go to college at all. You'll have plenty of time and opportunity to switch majors and figure out what you want to do while you're there.

As for the peace corps, my only advice would be, be sure you understand exactly what it is you are getting into. Two years can be a long time if your placed in a tiny village in Africa with little to no electricity and a hole in the ground for a toilet. I've know a couple people that have done it and it is a life changing experience for sure, but just be totally 100% sure that you're ready to be on your own in the third world for a long time. Too many people go and then have to leave early because they can't handle it.

Personally, I would probably recommend college for someone at your age. You can do the peace corps after school if you want, but you only really get one shot at having an undergrad experience with people your age. If you come back to college after you're older, it wont be the same. Best of luck with your decision and I hope that it works out for you!
 
The U.S is far from a third world country, however I'm not denying the existence of poverty in the states. I want to see the world most of all.
 
it's a great experience, going abroad in general and travelling. but to devote the majority of your time to "helping" a random group of strangers for a year or two is a bit excessive in my opinion. what kind of services would you offer to these people anyway as a recent high school graduate? the only thing that comes to mind for me would be an education, and thats only if you're going to an extremely underdeveloped country. my advice to you would be to try out a different (and much shorter term) volunteer program to get a better feel for whether you'd really want to do something like the peace corps. unless if you were to devote your time to rid the country of a widespread infectious disease (ie. Paul Farmer), you're not really helping to the extent that the people are truly appreciative of you
 
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