My husband and I are planning on joining the Peace Corps [peacecorps.org] in about a year. Have any of you thought about joining or been in the Peace Corps?

ooh, creepy. I got my application 3 days ago. However, i've got like 2 years until i graduate from college, but i'm getting stuff figured out right now to make the process as easy as possible.

In Response to AsphaltBuffet (#8250):

What an odd coincidence. How did you get interested in the Peace Corps? What regions are on your short list? I've heard starting as early as you are, you are more likely to end up in one of the regions you choose. What sort of assignment are you aiming for?

For us, the prospect of living in another country is very appealing, especially since we'll be assisting people in developing countries. Our first choices are Central or East Asia and the Caribbean, but with my husband's Spanish experience we'll likely be sent to Central or South America. I'd be happy with that too. I'm hoping to work on an environmental or community development assignment.

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#8259):

Yeah, i'd like africa because you can't get much further from the amish than that, but ditto with the spanish experience here. I was interested because i've always seen the "hardest job you'll ever love" commercials. That and a friend showed interest and i'm not very motivated unless i know people who do stuff and i am a bit of a bandwagon junkie... "You're donating organs to needy hamsters?! Me too!!!"

I'm almost done (translate to: No friggin' idea when i'll graduate if i keep changing majors) with a degree in Computer Science so i'll probably do their special focus thing on IT.

I'm also planning on joining the Peace Corps as soon as I graduate. I attempted to join after High School but I was told that unless I could farm or run my own business that I needed a Bachelor's degree. So, for the last four years I've been going to school.

Oddly enough I have a copycat friend who has recently decided that he wanted to join as well. He's kinda a bandwagon junkie. He's into computer science and hates the Amish.

Can you believe that? Amish?

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#8259):

I'm hoping to work on an environmental or community development assignment.

How will you introduce the "internet" to these countries? I think it's commendable that you want to help people in developing countries but going from digging a well for fresh water and improving farming and housing to wiring the community with online access via satellite phones is quite a jump. ;-)
But seriously, is that why you're going? To help others (obviously) and get away from the "industrial world" so to speak?

In Response to Rich (#8277):

There are work days when getting away from business and the computers of the industrial world have even more appeal than usual. Here's hopin' our 8-10 years of computer and business experience doesn't land us in IT or business assignments. Okay, IT wouldn't be so bad, but we wouldn't be experiencing something new. Though, I would be able to check in on Goats every now and then...

Gaining a broader perspective on humanity is another main reason. Americans have a tendency to assume the rest of the inhabitants of Earth desire the same things and have the same priorities we do. I'd prefer not to be one of those Americans.

My first preference would be an environmental assignment. I would love to be involved in something like this. [ecologyasia.com] Whereas my hubby is more the humanitarian of the family. He hopes to be involved in community development like digging wells n'such.

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#8299):

Okay, IT wouldn't be so bad, but we wouldn't be experiencing something new.

Actually, i think that teaching people who have never seen a computer how to get online and use the machines effectively would be something new each day. It's the ability to show a country how to use a necessary technology so that they may have the means to enter the global economy running, rather than standing to the side watching the rest of the world leave them behind.

Americans have a tendency to assume the rest of the inhabitants of Earth desire the same things and have the same priorities we do.

Assuming that Americans desire computers/technology in every corner of the world to match ours is incorrect. The IT focus in the peace corps is not on going village to village with a bag of computers and shelling them out on the unsuspecting populace. Rather, it is implementing the technology efficiently in schools and gov't buildings to enable them to be productive and more up to date.

In Response to Rich (#8277):

The IT focus is not intended to be generalized around the world. There is no point training people to use the machines when there is no electricity within 100 miles.

Internet access is not the only part of this. Computers can be useful without online access.

But seriously, is that why you're going? To help others (obviously) and get away from the "industrial world" so to speak?

Getting away from industrialization has nothing to do with my desire to join. My main motivation is that i do not want to limit my life by remaining in one area forever. I want to be able to look back upon my life and see that i made a difference in the lives of others. I feel that the peace corps is the best way to do that. I would love to see that my resources were used to better the lives of many other people. If i do that by planting thousands of trees, then that's perfect. If i do that by introducing a region to technology and its benefits, then that's great. If i do it by any of the other methods used by the peace corps, then i feel that i did the best with my time and skills for others.

In Response to AsphaltBuffet (#8300):

Actually, i think that teaching people who have never seen a computer how to get online and use the machines effectively would be something new each day.

Quite. I recently had this experience with my father-in-law. The first time he used a computer was about a week ago when he bought an iMac. It is fascinating to watch a person try to figure out what a mouse is and how to use it. I've been using computers since I was about 8 and have little idea of what it is like to use a computer for the first time. As I said, IT would be all right, but I'd prefer to do something more along the lines of helping the environment and educating people about the importance of a healthy environment.

Assuming that Americans desire computers/technology in every corner of the world to match ours is incorrect.

Assuming that is what I meant is also incorrect. My comment about Americans' assumptions was not really related to the paragraph above it. Rather, it was another random reason why I am interested in the Peace Corps. Unrelated paragraphs in the same post are caused by typing in a brainstorming manner and adding details a little later. I do this often.

So you've decided to take up White Man's burden, and bring the benefits of civilization to the oppressed savages of the world?

In Response to zamphir (#8337):

No, i think it's more of a head-out-of-one's-ass deal.

At least we're not bringing them Jesus... he has to stay here and keep putting fish on cars.

In Response to AsphaltBuffet (#8348):

No, i think it's more of a head-out-of-one's-ass deal.

It's a lot more complicated than that. It may seem a lot simpler - "These people need help" - but there are so many cultural assumptions behind that simple statement that it's purely idiotic to think it that simple.

And let's not examine too closely the reasons for wanting to *leave* one's own country in order to help people. Why not move to Youngstown, Ohio and help underpriviledged people there? Why not start a food bank in your local area? Or move to Manhattan and start an assistance program for unfortunately sober cartoonists?

At least we're not bringing them Jesus... he has to stay here and keep putting fish on cars
Actually, if I thought he'd stay, I'd say bring him along. But that bastard always comes back.

In Response to zamphir (#8353):

Personally, I want to travel. I believe traveling is very important for all people in order to gain a better understanding of how others live, think, etc.

I agree there is plenty to be done within one's own country to help make a better world. I have been volunteering a substantial amount of my time to a couple of local non-profits for the last three years. Before that, I was employed by a non-profit organization. If I wanted to become a full-time volunteer in the US I could apply to Americorps. [americorps.org] Right now, I'd like to see and help a different area of the world. I'm selfish that way.

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#8367):

I'm selfish that way
My point exactly. I hope the natives aren't too ungrateful.

In Response to zamphir (#8368):

So, do you have a serious disagreement with the Peace Corps or are you just being contrary?

In Response to zamphir (#8353):

Why not move to Youngstown, Ohio and help underpriviledged people there?

Who said that i haven't done that already? Or that i won't when i get back. I'm not going to only volunteer once for 2 years and then decide that i've helped enough people to tide me over for the rest of my life.

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#8371):

Option 3, actually.

In Response to zamphir (#8379):

Zamphir, have you ever thought that maybe they just wanna join the Peace Corps so we can teach those tribes in Africa to wear pants instead of those Penis Gourd things?

In Response to Lonely Goatherd (#8428):

or at least show them how to put pictures of that on the internet...

In Response to zamphir (#8337):

I thought the White Man's Burden was the inability to jump.

In Response to mcgrue (#8502):

That and the inability to dance without looking like an idiot.

In Response to AsphaltBuffet (#8524):

That and the inability to have an ass.

The difference between us and a computer is that, the computer is blindingly stupid, but it is capable of being stupid many, many million times a second. - Douglas Adams

In Response to Spiderbaby (#8578):

That and the inability to have an ass

Nonsense. We've all got you.

In Response to zamphir (#8583):

Well, every ass has an asshole.

I've got you.

In Response to Spiderbaby (#8585):

I've got you.
That definately makes me Sonny.

But don't feel too bad. I'm just coming off vacation, and had to pick on someone.

Besides which, some people are proud to be assholes. Just ask Denis. Or Al.