Do I have to say "I’ll go anywhere"?

Many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) may tell you that the surprise of learning which country they were being invited to was half the fun of applying.

Yet other applicants have a preference about where they want to serve. But they may be concerned about stating a preference due to the false belief that applicants must be willing to serve where they are needed most. This notion may originate in our Core expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers. Expectation #3 states, "Serve where the Peace Corps places me with the flexibility needed for effective service." Applicants who are open to serving anywhere do help the Peace Corps meet host country requests, but choosing this option is certainly not required.

State your preference if you have one

Whatever your reasons for applying to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer, it's okay to have to preferences. While some applicants are truly comfortable with “serving where needed most,” and the uncertainty that entails, for others, stating preferences can help the Placement Office identify a country that may be a good fit for you.

Whether you want to use your years of French study in Guinea or gain experience teaching a classroom full of eager students in Myanmar, there is a Volunteer position out there for everyone.

By being up front about your preferences, you can be more effectively matched to a program that would be a good fit. Wherever that is, trust that the Placement Office will find a country that can benefit from your skills and experience.

Consider living conditions

People have varying levels of flexibility regarding their living conditions, and Peace Corps programs vary widely. All Volunteer Openings include descriptions of living conditions you will encounter. Read and research these further.

If you are unable to live without regular communication with friends and family, an isolated island with no internet might not be the best fit. If you can’t imagine living in a room in someone else’s home for an extended period, a country that requires a 27-month homestay shouldn’t be your top choice.

It’s a two-way street. As much as we want you to be the right match for our program, we also want the program to be the right match for you.

Be flexible

Life throws us curve balls and Peace Corps service is no different. State preferences if you have them but also recognize that sometimes things don’t work out as planned. Sometimes certain expectations can’t be met in a specific country (such as living in an urban community when all the potential placements are in rural areas) or maybe your background and experience could be put to better use in a different country.

While a specific Volunteer position in a specific country may sound like it is your dream job, with the Peace Corps receiving a high number of applications it’s likely there are other applicants who think the same thing. Your placement officer may ask if you are willing to be considered for other programs more in line with your skills and experience. Preferences can help guide the Placement Office, but we in turn may try to guide you to where we think you have the best chance of success as a Volunteer.

Preferences + flexibility = a great match!

If you have preferences, please share them with us. At the same time, maintain an attitude of openness and flexibility, and trust us to place you in a program where you can be an effective and content Peace Corps Volunteer.

Ready to start your Peace Corps journey? Connect with a recruiter today.

This blog was updated from its original version by Morgan Cunningham, a Peace Corps placement officer. Morgan served as an Environment Volunteer in a small town in Panama from 2016 - 2018.