Core Expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and Volunteer, you are expected to do the following:
- Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to
serve abroad for a full term of 27 months.
- Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you
live and work and, in doing so, share your skills, adapt them, and learn
new skills as needed.
- Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship
if necessary, and with the flexibility needed for effective service.
- Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based
on the local trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully
integrating yourself into, your host community and culture.
- Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your
personal conduct and professional performance.
- Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual
learning, and respect.
- Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local
and national laws of the country where you serve.
- Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health,
safety, and well-being and that of others.
- Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community,
as a representative of the people, cultures, values, and traditions of
the United States of America.
- Represent responsibly the people, cultures, values, and traditions of
your host country and community to people in the United States both
during and following your service.