You just arrived at your new Peace Corps site. You will be there for the next two years. This is a new experience. You look around. Everybody is looking back at you. Suddenly you realize that you’re not just visiting. As a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), you are noticed. They are very curious about you.…
Read more
At times, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) can get so wrapped up in your Peace Corps service that creative mealtime is low on the priority list. We sometimes eat whatever is quick and available. You don’t realize that foodie games could enhance your time in service. But they can. Food is the ultimate cross-cultural bridge. Meals…
Read more
Dear Peace Corps Volunteers, No one understand the uniqueness or challenges of Peace Corps service better than Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). When we noticed your confusion on all the terms and acronyms across our website, we created the RPCV Lingo Glossary. We know there are some health-related things that you are experiencing or wondered…
Read more
Ask any Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) what the hardest part of their service was. You will typically hear a variety of answers around dysentery, language barriers, culture shock, participation, or homesickness. But what comes up often in second place is mind-numbing boredom. Before becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), you expected your days to…
Read more
At some point during your two years of Peace Corps service, you may wonder if your efforts matter. It might be during the mid-service slump. Or, it is on a random Tuesday afternoon during the rainy season. Are you sitting in your hut swatting bugs and looking at a half-finished project proposal? Your host country…
Read more
Food safety matters. Following a few practical food safety tips can be the difference. It is not always quick and easy for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to get medical help during service. Sometimes we are posted at sites where the nearest clinic is hours away. Wouldn’t you rather focus on the work instead of running…
Read more
Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products (aka period products). It also means an inability to access the necessary education and support for good menstrual health. This leads to negative health, social, and economic consequences. There are many contributing factors including cost and stigma. To tackle the period poverty problem, we need to…
Read more
John F. Kennedy once asked what can we do for our country. Many stepped up. We have skills to share. Initially, the overwhelming majority of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) were from a very narrow demographic (race, gender, age, abilities, etc.) of the general public. Over time, the demographics slowly evolved to be more diverse. And…
Read more
Are you applying to serve in the Peace Corps? And, do you want to know about the health risks of a country you are interested in? Or, are you a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) who wants to stay as healthy as possible during your time in service? Do you want to keep up on your…
Read more
Too many Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) develop dental problems during service. Some of us didn’t adjust enough for the conditions and expectations of service. Some PCVs let good oral care habits slide. Following the normal dental care routing from the USA may not be enough in your host country. And, don’t expect easy direct access…
Read more