Share Your Experience
Peace Corps’ Approach to Ethical Storytelling Toolkit
Ethical storytelling is a practice of sharing stories in a way that is conscious of power dynamics and grounded in mutual respect. There are many organizations working to promote ethical storytelling in their domains, especially organizations that engage in intercultural dialogue. This toolkit builds upon existing work and centers it in a Peace Corps context – rooted in building and celebrating person-to-person relationships, and tied to our approach to intercultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Storytelling is at the heart of the Peace Corps experience, and this toolkit, which is intended to support RPCV storytellers, is just one way in which we are working to strengthen our storytelling approach. We look forward to partnering with all members of the Peace Corps network – RPCVs, staff, Volunteers, and host communities – to continue to grow our capacity to ethically and responsibly share our stories.
This toolkit consists of a video and a workbook, which are intended to be used together. Whether working alone or in a group with other storytellers, we hope that you will watch the video and throughout, thoughtfully respond to each question and exercise in your workbook. Note that the toolkit is not intended to serve as a how-to guide for crafting a story. Instead, it will help you apply the same foundational intercultural tools that guide Volunteers in integrating with their host communities to your storytelling, using the Self-Other Bridge framework and other strategies to help you mindfully craft your story.
It should take about 90 minutes to complete the video and all activities. At the end of the workbook you’ll find a few suggested ways to share your story, and we hope that you will consider doing so.
Download the Peace Corps Approach to Ethical Storytelling Workbook and watch the video below.
Social media
Share the culture of your country of service on social media.
Global Connections
The Global Connections program allows learners to experience different countries, cultures, and traditions by introducing them to customs, beliefs, and adventures many have never imagined. These connections inspire global competency in the classroom and beyond, and give students an insight into the Peace Corps experience.
Get details on Global Connections

Tools and resources
- Use the activity design template [PDF] to plan your event.
- Give a talk tailored to any audience using this presentation template [PPT] and presentation tips [PDF].
- Organize a Peace Corps International Festival [PDF] with tables from multiple countries.
- Learn to find, hone, and craft your story with this storytelling guide [PDF] or watch the storytelling training, then plan a story event [PDF].
- Host a video chat [PDF] between a group in the U.S. and a group in your host country.
- Write blog stories about your experience using these blogging tips [PDF].
- Create a video [PDF] to share your host culture with family and friends and then plan a film screening [PDF].
- Looking for more images? The Peace Corps Media Library is a collection of photos submitted by the Peace Corps network searchable by country or keyword.
- Want to include a video? The Peace Corps’ official YouTube channel has fresh, creative, inspiring videos on what it's like to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. Select one to share as part of your talk.
- Peace Corps Fast Facts lists current statistics, facts, figures, and other pertinent information on Peace Corps. But remember, the most interesting part of your talk will be your personal experiences.
- Log into the RPCV Portal to tell us when you share your experience.
Receive emails with all the latest RPCV news.
Sign up now