Customer Reviews

The Insider's Guide to the Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go

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I purchased this book while going through the application process. Once the book came in the mail, I read about 90% of it that night. The format is fantastic - it is divided 14 sections, ranging from pre-application jitters to an appendices with general info on Peace Corps. Each section contains a number of questions that are addressed within a page or two with some very useful information. Some of the questions (74 total) include the following:

-Am I qualified to join the Peace Corps?
-Will I be lonely?
-What should I bring?
-What is training like?
-Will I get sick?
-How will I receive mail?
-Will I have access to Internet?
-Will I be able to have friends & family visit from the States?

While the Peace Corps Recruiter assigned to my area was incredibly helpful in answering my questions, this book addresses issues that I didn't even think about. It has definitely left me with more informed & realistic expectations about what's to come.

This is also a useful source for family members and friends of Peace Corps volunteers.

Definitely a must buy!

This second edition of the former "So You Want To Join the Peace Corps" book picks up where the last one left off, adding new sections on things like overseas internet access and cell phone use, the online application form, updated info on Peace Corps housing, training, benefits/hardships, etc. What I love is that the information is "real", not pre-packaged promotional stuff. I had read the first edition before finding this, and the updates are great - definitely more current and helpful for those of us thinking about the Peace Corps now. As far as I'm concerned, this should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in becoming a Peace Corps volunteer. It answers questions you'd never even think to ask in order to help make an informed decision and prepare for the experience.

"The Insider's Guide to Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go" is a great first step in your Peace Corps journey. It answers dozens of the frequently asked questions that applicants have as they start thinking about Peace Corps. As a currently serving Peace Corps Volunteer (Mongolia 2008-2011), I found this guide very helpful as I began my Peace Corps experience and I highly recommend it.

This book also inspired me to write my own book, providing more detail about the Peace Corps experience in a more "unofficial" way and also giving the reader a chance to keep a journal of their own experience. I also highly recommend giving the Unofficial Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook a look. Good luck in your own Peace Corps adventure!

I am currently on track to leave for my Peace Corps service in about a month. I breezed through this book. This book is divided into 1-3 page "chapters" that are actually just questions that many people ask and the author providing his answers and insight. I really enjoyed reading this book, it has been an essential source for me as I embark on my own Peace Corps journey.

His responses are so detailed I was consistently impressed. If you are interested in the Peace Corps, applying, accepted, or even if your already out on the field I would recommend this book. It can feel a bit overwhelming while reading the book just because there is so much information to take in, I'm getting used to this by now. Even though I'm almost done reading it I will most definitely take this with me in the field when I leave. It's very practical and has a lot of good information that many don't think about. It will be a great resource for me as I navigate my service.

This book is a really fast read. Read it within a few hours at the most. Had some really interesting information on Peace Corps that i had not gotten from reading anywhere else...

I was pretty far along in the Peace Corps Application process when I bought this book so some of the facts were redundant for me. There are some details that the authors provide, however, that prove to be informative for soon-to-be PCVs. I would recommend this book to individuals very early on in the application process, or possibly in future additions, go into more details when answering questions. The format of the book was very easy to read but left me wanting more. Since the "chapters" were split into separate FAQs, I often wanted the author to expound more. It seems like they were trying to remain unbiased in their answers and give broad explanations without seeming one-sided one way or another. I would recommend this book, but would suggest that applicants very far along in the application process look more toward PC blogs and wikis. Current and formed volunteers are the best source of information for questions, and they love to help.

This book is helpful however if you have your assignment I am finding that it is beneficial to also link up with up other PCV volunteers who actually served in the host country you have been assigned. However, the PC can switch your host country as well so I guess you just have to be very, flexible and open minded.

Purchased this for my step-daughter who is contemplating joining the peace corps after college. I found it to be very thorough reading for anyone entertaining a stint in the peace corps. Now if only my step-daughter would read it herself! (Think she's afraid of the realities she'll find within).

I have been considering and dreaming about the peace corp since I was about twelve(I'm 21 now) and I'm looking to the future. Within the next five - six years I'm seriously considering joining the peace corp, but finding information about it is pretty hard. I have purchased great books about people's first hand experiences, but when it came to upfront questions that cover a large array of questions this is the book!

From what to pack, what illness you can expect to encounter, the dating scene, and how to stay in touch with family this covers questions and concerns I hadn't even thoguht about!

I am so glad I bought this book, and it has given me insight and an accurate view of it so I can confidently move forward and be prepared for the things I will face!

If you have questions about the peace corp and have been considering but feel like you have a lot of unanswered questions about the technical aspects or what it will be like this is the book!!

The book is written in question and answer format making it very easy to read, as well as, pinpoint specific questions you might have. I found the book to be very informative as it included questions to answers I had never even considered. It provides knowledge for those who may be considering joining the Peace Corps.