Becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer is a unique opportunity to live and work abroad
What is the PeaceCorps? PeaceCorps is an independent agency and program of the United States government that trains and deploys volunteers to provide international development assistance. The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. Volunteers must be 18+ and a U.S. citizen. Sharpen your skills in a field you’ve always loved, or challenge yourself with a new opportunity. Check out a few firsthand accounts of being a PeaceCorps member.
Variety of different PeaceCorps programs: including ones focused on Community Economic Development, Youth in Development, Environment, Health and more, all of which provide fantastic hands-on experiences to sharpen your skills in a field you’ve always loved, or challenge yourself with a new opportunity. You can look closer at the various volunteer opportunities here and learn more about the benefits of PeaceCorps here. They also have short term virtual projects.
Financial Benefits- Living Stipend & housing: The Peace Corps provides each Volunteer with housing and a living stipend that enables them to live in a manner similar to people in their community of service. Unlike other international volunteer programs, there is no charge to participate in the Peace Corps and no application fee, although costs may only be partially covered for required medical examinations during the application process. Upon completion of two years of service, the Peace Corps provides each Volunteer with more than $10,000 (pre-tax) to help with the transition to life back home. This money can be used as you wish.
Timeframes: There are 4 major application deadlines throughout the year, which are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. The timelines are generally:
| Position posted to website | Application deadline | Departure date (following year) |
| February 1 | July 1 | January-March |
| May 1 | October 1 | April-June |
| August 1 | January 1 | July-September |
| November 1 | April 1 | October-December |
So considering the above, Seniors interested in serving the fall after graduation will be looking at applying by the April 1 deadline of their final semester.
Meet the Peace Corps at these upcoming Career Center Tufts events: 2/10: Career Fair -in person 3/1: Public Service and Advocacy Night ; 4/12: Beyond Tufts: Working Abroad- Finding Internships Programs or Post-Grad Work
