Community Services Volunteer

Living Conditions: Volunteers will live with host families during their initial Pre-Service Training and with a host family or in modest independent housing during their service. Some Volunteers live with a host family for their entire service for several reasons, including convenience, better integration and personal security, or a lack of other housing options. While living with a host family, Volunteers are expected to participate in family events and daily chores and respect the individual rules of each household. Volunteers may cook and eat together with their host families. Volunteers are expected to be frugal in their use of utilities because of the high cost of electricity. Volunteers are expected to maintain a high level of cleanliness in their space and shared spaces.

Social and Cultural Norms: Volunteers should expect to have much less alone time than they may be used to. Volunteers who spend ample time with their host or resource families, landlords, neighbors, and colleagues will enjoy a higher level of integration.

Smoking: Smoking is widespread and common in North Macedonia, including in public places such as bars, cafes and restaurants. Secondhand smoke indoors is largely unavoidable, and it may be considered rude to ask someone to refrain from smoking, especially in their own homes.

Diet: Vegetables, meat (chicken, beef, pork), bread, and sunflower oil are staples in Macedonian cooking. Olive oil is available for purchase, but more expensive and not widely used in households. Dairy products are also a regular part of the diet. Vegetarian diet is not very common and requires a level of responsibility on the part of the Volunteer to communicate with their host family and adjustment to the local diet. Legumes and nuts are widely available. Certain fruits and vegetables (avocado, asparagus, mango) are quite expensive and rarely consumed in an average family and only available for purchase in larger cities. Eating out at restaurants may be difficult for vegetarians, as most menus consist of meat dishes.

Weather: North Macedonia has a continental Mediterranean climate characterized by long, dry, hot summers and cold winters. Roads are frequently icy and not cleared. Many buildings are not heated or poorly heated. Homes will also likely be colder during the winter than in the U.S. as most lack central heating. Volunteers rely on wood-burning stoves and space heaters. Volunteers should bring winter clothes and clothes that can be layered. In summer, air conditioning is not available everywhere, and often not used extensively as in the U.S. even if available.

Dress Code: Personal appearance is important to people in North Macedonia and people dress professionally at work. Some organizations or institutions are more relaxed about dress codes, while others are more conservative. Men usually wear slacks, shirts (sometimes a tie), and a sweater or a jacket in cooler weather. Women usually wear dresses, skirts (knee-length or longer), or slacks.

Intercultural Environment: The culture in North Macedonia is generally conservative, although it may not appear so at first. Some Volunteers may experience a high degree of unwanted attention, such as comments about their appearance, questions about their background and staring. It is also not very tolerant of the non-heterosexual community and being open about one’s sexual orientation carries potential safety and security risks. Hence, to ensure Volunteer safety and quality of experience Volunteers are advised to keep their non-heterosexual orientation confidential and be very careful about whom they disclose it to. If someone is uncomfortable keeping their orientation hidden, they should reconsider serving in North Macedonia. Peace Corps staff is open, supportive, and trained to provide the best support to all Volunteers.

Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our North Macedonia country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.