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Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.
Masters program in Conflict Resolution at Georgetown. I applied while I was in Madagascar so there wouldn't be too much downtime. So, applied June-December 2008, got back in March (evacuated), hung around/working, school started in September.

Despite reading hundreds of books, though... christ is my brain complete mush.

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Cadmiel
Sep 29, 2006

Omits-Bagels posted:

I have a question: What did you all go into after your PC service? If you're still in/applying, what do you plan on doing?

I'm applying to graduate schools for International Relations now, and it seems like lots of PCVs wind up doing the same thing.

Evil Adam posted:

Masters program in Conflict Resolution at Georgetown. I applied while I was in Madagascar so there wouldn't be too much downtime. So, applied June-December 2008, got back in March (evacuated), hung around/working, school started in September.

Despite reading hundreds of books, though... christ is my brain complete mush.

One of my buddies from PC China must be in your cohort, he started conflict resolution this year. How are you liking Georgetown? Is your PC experience relevant in your classes?

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

Evil Adam posted:

Masters program in Conflict Resolution at Georgetown.

SUP FELLOW HOYA :v: I went for undergrad, though.

Omits-Bagels posted:

I have a question: What did you all go into after your PC service? If you're still in/applying, what do you plan on doing?

Right now (literally) I'm procrastinating on my essays for a Fulbright application to South Korea for next year. I'm also looking at the JET program in Japan. Depending on which I get into, doing that for two years, then coming back to get an MA in IR or possibly an MBA.

Winna
Oct 10, 2004
_)_)====|D ~o ~o ~o
Did anyone go to the Pacific Islands?? If so, can you tell me about your experience? I'm slated to go there in Sept.

Grammar Fascist
May 29, 2004
Y-O-U-R, Y-O-U-Apostrophe-R-E... They're as different as night and day. Don't you think that night and day are different? What's wrong with you?

Evil Adam posted:

Despite reading hundreds of books, though... christ is my brain complete mush.
Seconding this. I'm in law school now, and after training myself for two years to go with the flow, it's been awfully tough to get back into the practice of thinking critically and being busy all the time.

But I don't mean to be totally negative about it--Peace Corps did allow me lots of time to study for the LSAT, the experience certainly didn't hurt my application, and I think Peace Corps was valuable in giving me a lot more perspective (as opposed to those that went straight through or worked as waiters or something).

Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.

Rush Limbaugh #1! posted:

One of my buddies from PC China must be in your cohort, he started conflict resolution this year. How are you liking Georgetown? Is your PC experience relevant in your classes?

Is his name also a Greek letter?

Georgetown is alright. Maybe not as academically hard as I expected but way more work than I was anticipating. Reading and writing just neeeever lets up. I can be more productive in two days than I was in 2 weeks in undergrad, or 2 months, and still be way behind.

In terms of relevance to PC... sometimes, but not often. I would say, too, the times that it's relevant have more to do with the fact that we (as Madagascar PCVs) witnessed a coup from start to finish, and I also have an internship with a conflict res organization that is going to start a program there, so my experience comes in handy. But the actual PC experience of living in the village, teaching... eh not so much. Maybe an anecdote here and there.

Cadmiel
Sep 29, 2006

Evil Adam posted:

Is his name also a Greek letter?

Georgetown is alright. Maybe not as academically hard as I expected but way more work than I was anticipating. Reading and writing just neeeever lets up. I can be more productive in two days than I was in 2 weeks in undergrad, or 2 months, and still be way behind.

In terms of relevance to PC... sometimes, but not often. I would say, too, the times that it's relevant have more to do with the fact that we (as Madagascar PCVs) witnessed a coup from start to finish, and I also have an internship with a conflict res organization that is going to start a program there, so my experience comes in handy. But the actual PC experience of living in the village, teaching... eh not so much. Maybe an anecdote here and there.

Haha yeah, that's him. If you weren't sure who it was I was going to reference inappropriate freak dancing at clubs. I imagine the hardest thing to get used to is the pace of grad school. I grade a few hundred papers a week in China, but I haven't had to produce academic writing myself in years.

HeroOfTheRevolution
Apr 26, 2008

CronoGamer posted:

Right now (literally) I'm procrastinating on my essays for a Fulbright application to South Korea for next year. I'm also looking at the JET program in Japan. Depending on which I get into, doing that for two years, then coming back to get an MA in IR or possibly an MBA.

You should probably get going on the Fulbright stuff since it's, uh, due at midnight today. I'm applying for a teaching Fulbright to Bulgaria.

I just submitted my Peace Corps application a few days ago, it's my backup if I don't get the Fulbright.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

HeroOfTheRevolution posted:

You should probably get going on the Fulbright stuff since it's, uh, due at midnight today. I'm applying for a teaching Fulbright to Bulgaria.

I just submitted my Peace Corps application a few days ago, it's my backup if I don't get the Fulbright.


Haha, yeah. I'm aware. I was just writing my personal statement last night. Submitting everything right now. I'm looking at ETA as well, if that wasn't obvious.

HeroOfTheRevolution
Apr 26, 2008

CronoGamer posted:

Haha, yeah. I'm aware. I was just writing my personal statement last night. Submitting everything right now. I'm looking at ETA as well, if that wasn't obvious.

Are you applying through a school or at-large? I graduated in May so I could have gone through my school as they'll sponsor you for a year after, but I had planned/been selected to go to Marine OCS before getting hurt and deciding it wasn't what I wanted to do, so I was kind of scrambling and missed my campus deadline. Luckily my mother works at a study abroad office at another school and they have a Fulbright adviser so I had someone to look over my stuff, and I have a buddy doing it in Germany right now and he sent me his essays. I think I would have been lost on them if I hadn't.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

HeroOfTheRevolution posted:

Are you applying through a school or at-large? I graduated in May so I could have gone through my school as they'll sponsor you for a year after, but I had planned/been selected to go to Marine OCS before getting hurt and deciding it wasn't what I wanted to do, so I was kind of scrambling and missed my campus deadline. Luckily my mother works at a study abroad office at another school and they have a Fulbright adviser so I had someone to look over my stuff, and I have a buddy doing it in Germany right now and he sent me his essays. I think I would have been lost on them if I hadn't.

Ha. Interesting. I looked at doing USMC's OCS back when I was in college, too.

Nah, I'm applying at-large. I've been out of school for 3.5 years (just finished my Peace Corps stint 6 months ago) so there was no way I'd be doing it through an institution. Created a huge hassle for me with transcript requests, actually, but I think I've about ironed it out.

I didn't have anyone to look over my things with me, but a friend's sister just finished the ETA program in Korea which I'm looking at so I called her up and we chatted about the applications and essays for a bit, got some ideas from that. I'm not really worried, I think I've got a great resume for something like the ETA, but just gotta make sure everything gets in on time- still waiting on 2 of my hard-copy references to come in, which is a real nail-biter this close to the 21st, haha..

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

Ok, Ok, now that I have my new Nokia cellphone that I can use to access the internet from site, I will re-word the OP to be more positive sounding. It probably didn't help that when I wrote that I was in the process of watching my work at site self-destruct and trying to get Peace Corps to send me to a new one. They did, and it's awesome, and I have internet now, so service is looking up.

Rush Limbaugh #1! posted:

I disagree with this idea that there are some sites where absolutely nothing productive can be done.
And I disagree with your disagreement, and cite my terrible, terrible site that Peace Corps had to move me from.

Omits-Bagels posted:

I have a question: What did you all go into after your PC service? If you're still in/applying, what do you plan on doing?

I'm thinking of joining the Army. Seriously. It's always something I've thought about doing but never thought I could handle it. Peace Corps has taught me I can handle a lot more than I thought I could.

Moon Slayer fucked around with this message at 01:42 on Oct 22, 2009

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen
Happy Birthday, Moon Slayer!

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

CronoGamer posted:

Happy Birthday, Moon Slayer!

Ah-kun. I biked into Phnom Penh yesterday and ate an entire pizza at Pizza Company. Felt like I was going to die for the rest of the day but it was totally worth it.

Winna
Oct 10, 2004
_)_)====|D ~o ~o ~o
Can anyone tell me about training? DO you go to DC for a certain amount of training or is it done at your local station?

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

Winna posted:

Can anyone tell me about training? DO you go to DC for a certain amount of training or is it done at your local station?

100% of training is done in-country. The only time you gather together on US soil is for the two days of staging before you leave, or if the US Embassy in your country has a function of some kind and invites you all.

Way back in the day they did all of PST in the United States, in the backwoods of like Hawaii or Arizona, but that was back in the '60s and '70s, when Peace Corps was hardcore.

melaneyelia
Apr 4, 2006

put on your adventure helmet, it's time for an adventure!

Omits-Bagels posted:

I have a question: What did you all go into after your PC service? If you're still in/applying, what do you plan on doing?

I'm halfway through service, and I just took a look at USAjobs.gov. Since we get non-competitive application for a year for federal jobs, I'll start applying for some about six months before COS. I wouldn't mind working as PC admin, honestly, but something involving Health and Human Services would be better.

If I can't get something that way, I'll start applying for grad schools when I return to the States. Public Health or Social Service Administration, most likely.

I will NOT become a teacher, that's for sure.

Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.

melaneyelia posted:

I'm halfway through service, and I just took a look at USAjobs.gov. Since we get non-competitive application for a year for federal jobs, I'll start applying for some about six months before COS. I wouldn't mind working as PC admin, honestly, but something involving Health and Human Services would be better.

If I can't get something that way, I'll start applying for grad schools when I return to the States. Public Health or Social Service Administration, most likely.

I will NOT become a teacher, that's for sure.

Keep in mind that non-competitive eligibility only applies to some agencies, and not others.

Oh, and did they tell you that it does not apply to Peace Corps?

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

Evil Adam posted:

Oh, and did they tell you that it does not apply to Peace Corps?

What? Sure it does. That was one of the big things they promoted at the Career event seminar I went to back in May.

reddeh
May 18, 2004
I love these threads! You can add me to the OP, RPCV Togo (08-09). Ask me about getting malaria and med-sepped for it (even with taking prophylaxis...). Did IT development work, and would be willing to answer questions about what its like to teach computers in a country where other volunteers are telling people that they should wash their hands before they eat.

R2ICustomerSupport
Dec 12, 2004

Return Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), upon successful completion of their service, are told that they have “non-competitive eligibility” for federal jobs. Yet when they apply for these federal jobs, this eligibility is often not recognized. So what is this non-competitive eligibility, and how do RPCVs take advantage of it?

The term “non-competitive eligibility” is a blanket term for any applicant to the federal service who does not have to “compete” with other people through the governments two main hiring systems: Delegated Exam (for all people) and the Merit Promotion System (for federal employees). Applying to these two systems involves extensive question and answer sections to assess the applicant’s experience in certain situations that are essential to the open position.

However, RPCVs, depending upon their circumstances, are covered by a special hiring authority (or hiring flexibility) for one to three years after their close of service. This means that they can circumvent the whole competitive process and be eligible to be brought on directly into a position. Unfortunately, many government officials are unaware of this hiring flexibility. While they are not obligated to use it when they fill a position, taking advantage of the flexibility allows the officials more choice in who they hire and can save them a lot of time.

In order for an RPCV to take advantage of this flexibility, he/she should follow the steps below:

Apply for positions of interest

Even though RPCVs are eligible for federal positions under a special hiring authority, they are also eligible for and should apply to positions through Delegated Exam. Doing so will allow them to demonstrate their qualities in the question and answer sections and may also give them an option to show their non-competitive eligibility.

Target the agencies in which to work

The RPCV should speak with a recruiter and attend job fairs held by the government agencies in which he/she would like to work. He/she should make sure to inform recruiters and specialists about the Peace Corps hiring flexibility and how easy it would be to hire someone under it.

Include all necessary information on a resume

In order to develop a government résumé complete with all the information selecting officials are looking for, it is best to create it on the USAJOBS website. RPCV job seekers should make sure to include the paragraph from their description of service about the Peace Corps Act and put in a conspicuous place that because of their Peace Corps service, they have non-competitive eligibility through the Peace Corps Act.

Keep a copy of the regulation and site it

When speaking to recruiters, RPCVs should be sure to reference the actual regulation that entitles them to non-competitive eligibility. They should print out a copy to hand to recruiters as well. This can be found in Title 5, Section 315 Subsection 605 of the Code of Federal Regulations (it should be referenced as 5CFR315.605 and can be found here. (pdf)Finally, recruiters and hiring officials should be referred to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, Chapter 9, Table 9-3, Rule 40-43.

The job seeker need not worry about what all the regulations mean, but just know that they exist so that he/she may aid HR Specialists in their research to expedite the research and hiring time.

RPCVs are very lucky to have a government special hiring authority available to them. Through the proper steps, they can use that authority to their advantage to begin an exciting career with the federal government.

Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.

CronoGamer posted:

What? Sure it does. That was one of the big things they promoted at the Career event seminar I went to back in May.

This is what I was told.

But to make sure we're talking about the same thing, let me clarify. Yes, PCVs get NCE. But the Peace Corps, as an agency, does not use NCE in their hiring process.

I could be wrong, but it's what we were told.

Lets Fuck Bro
Apr 14, 2009
1. I have a degree in English Literature. Were I to join the Peace Corps, would I be forced into teaching English somewhere? What is teaching English like when you have very little or no knowledge of the native language? I would have no idea where to begin, and I have some elementary school teaching experience. Honestly I think I'd really rather be doing manual labor somewhere.

2. How important is it to know another language? I know just enough Spanish to comprehend the signs above the seats in buses, that is to say, not a whole lot, and not enough to easily carry on a coherent conversation.

3. How stringent are their physical requirements? I smoke cigarettes and marijuana (though I don't expect to be able to smoke weed abroad, just wondering if they test for that), and while I am in healthy shape in general I don't think I could do a 5 mile run right now.

Lets Fuck Bro fucked around with this message at 06:34 on Oct 26, 2009

apekillape
Jan 23, 2009

by Peatpot

reddeh posted:

I love these threads! You can add me to the OP, RPCV Togo (08-09). Ask me about getting malaria and med-sepped for it (even with taking prophylaxis...). Did IT development work, and would be willing to answer questions about what its like to teach computers in a country where other volunteers are telling people that they should wash their hands before they eat.

Same questions a couple of us have asked in the thread previously would be nice.

Do you need a Computer Science degree to do the IT work? I have experience but no documents.

And what exactly do you... DO?

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

Lets gently caress Bro posted:

1. I have a degree in English Literature. Were I to join the Peace Corps, would I be forced into teaching English somewhere? What is teaching English like when you have very little or no knowledge of the native language? I would have no idea where to begin, and I have some elementary school teaching experience. Honestly I think I'd really rather be doing manual labor somewhere.

2. How important is it to know another language? I know just enough Spanish to comprehend the signs above the seats in buses, that is to say, not a whole lot, and not enough to easily carry on a coherent conversation.

3. How stringent are their physical requirements? I smoke cigarettes and marijuana (though I don't expect to be able to smoke weed abroad, just wondering if they test for that), and while I am in healthy shape in general I don't think I could do a 5 mile run right now.

1: You will most likely be following the curriculum approved my the Ministry of Education in whatever country you are in. And you will be working with a native co-teacher. You aren't just put in the classroom and told "go to it." Hardly any of us in this thread had any experience with teaching before we joined Peace Corps. I sure as hell didn't.

2: You will probably not know any of the language of your host country before you leave.

3: For the love of god don't tell your recruiter that you smoke marijuana. Lie to them. Other than basically being healthy there are no physical requirements. It's not the military.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

Evil Adam posted:

This is what I was told.

But to make sure we're talking about the same thing, let me clarify. Yes, PCVs get NCE. But the Peace Corps, as an agency, does not use NCE in their hiring process.

I could be wrong, but it's what we were told.

Yeah, I thought that's what you were saying. Unless I *horribly* misinterpreted everything they told us over 1.5 of the 4 days I was at the RPCV Career Seminar that they had at headquarters (strongly recommended for people who get back and don't really know what they're doing), NCE does indeed factor in for PC hiring. One of the Returned Volunteer Services guys was actually trying to recruit me at the end of the week and I'm pretty sure that was one of his selling points.

Lets gently caress Bro posted:

1. I have a degree in English Literature. Were I to join the Peace Corps, would I be forced into teaching English somewhere? What is teaching English like when you have very little or no knowledge of the native language? I would have no idea where to begin, and I have some elementary school teaching experience. Honestly I think I'd really rather be doing manual labor somewhere.

Just wanted to add to what Moon Slayer said- You can be sent over as an English Teacher but still find ways to do that manual labor on the side. Secondary projects are an absolutely huge part of many volunteers' lives, and they are as varied as you can imagine. I think MS's group in Cambodia built a house with Habitat for Humanity, some guys in my group made gardens at their schools, one guy constructed all the furniture for the library he managed to get built... and that's not even taking into account any additional work you can do to help out in your village. It was absolutely hilarious to my host family when the big goofy white guy wanted to go out and help harvest rice. I wasn't terribly good at it (I think they must've shown me how to tie the sheaves 20 times and I still didn't get it) but they still appreciated it and had a really good time.

quote:

3. How stringent are their physical requirements? I smoke cigarettes and marijuana (though I don't expect to be able to smoke weed abroad, just wondering if they test for that), and while I am in healthy shape in general I don't think I could do a 5 mile run right now.

Echoing "do NOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT mention weed at any point to anyone on the PC staff". You can get sent home if there is even a RUMOR that you're using drugs- they don't need evidence, because a rumor is enough to 'damage the reputation of PC in the host country". I'll also say that the one thing I know holds up lots of people every year in the medical process is being overweight. If you have a BMI above a (surprisingly low) level, they'll send you a bunch of extra forms that you need signed by the doc. I managed to snake in just below the BMI limit, but I know a few people who were encouraged to lose weight before going out there.

Other than that, yeah, it's the typical "if you aren't on death's doorstep we'll take you" kind of thing you'd expect.

reddeh
May 18, 2004

apekillape posted:

Same questions a couple of us have asked in the thread previously would be nice.

Do you need a Computer Science degree to do the IT work? I have experience but no documents.

And what exactly do you... DO?

Alright, here is my story.

I graduated with a degree in Biochemistry, so no a CS degree is not mandatory. I have however worked several IT related jobs (web design, campus IT work), which is what got me the position. Initially I was accepted as a Secondary Science Education volunteer, but was called by the placement office to ask if I would be willing to change to an ICT program.

As far as actual work went, my assigned counterpart was the head of the IT branch of an NGO in my village. He was almost always in the capital city of the country and I barely saw him. I worked mainly with the 4 other people in the department. In my time there I helped teach web design principles, worked on a multi-day seminar on open source software, and helped draft a plan for a community multimedia center.

I also worked with a handicap cooperative that another business volunteer was working with to help revamp their website and create a way for them to market their goods globally. My biggest regret is that I didnt get to finish, or follow up on that project because both I and the other volunteer were separated within a month of one another for illnesses.

The third IT-related project I worked on was with an international organization (Plan) in my village to teach basic computing classes to middle-school aged children. This was tough at the start, because french is an evil language and difficult to master, but once the kids understood my accent everything went really well. This I would consider to be the most rewarding work that I did. Seeing children go from looking at the mouse, then screen, then back at the mouse to move the cursor to being able to type ~60wpm and navigate windows over several weeks was amazing and made me feel like I was accomplishing things.

Beyond that, I did alot of HIV/AIDS work as well as work with a local orphanage tutoring children there. There are all sorts of other little projects, but they arent as important. Basically as an IT worker, you do what is needed and hope that it amounts to something. I didn't have internet access in village, so doing research for projects was often times a lengthy process involving a 6 hour taxi ride to the capital where I could use the internet at the Peace Corps bureau.

Hope this was informative, if you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

Gonna add all that to the OP, if that's ok with you, reddeh. The last thread always get a lot of CS majors wondering what they would do in Peace Corps.

Cadmiel
Sep 29, 2006

Moon Slayer posted:

Gonna add all that to the OP, if that's ok with you, reddeh. The last thread always get a lot of CS majors wondering what they would do in Peace Corps.

Maybe you could also change the bit where it says YOU WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ANYONE because I think reddeh's service is a great example of making a difference in the lives of the kids in his village. Also after 4 long years in the Peace Corps in two countries I feel pretty confident in saying most people manage to do the same, more or less.

I mean seriously, the whole 'Why join Peace Corps' bit just shits all over the idea of actually, you know, wanting to help people. I've known lots of volunteers that were motivated by philanthropic spirit, or a sense of pride in serving their country/the world. If you just want to go 'herp derp got to see the world and get drunk on the government's dime, now off to grad school l8r 3rd world bitches' without caring about your job or helping the people at your site then that's hilariously selfish.

And yes, there are sites where volunteers have to be moved due to safety and security concerns but barring that I still say a motivated volunteer could be productive on at least a small scale anywhere.

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

I'm loving getting to it man, christ.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen
Well, it's been a week since you said you'd use your brand new everyday fancypants Nokia damned johnny-come-lately mobile internet access (am i getting my bitterness across enough?) to change it... I think he was just hoping to make sure you hadn't forgotten. Don't think there's a need to get touchy about it or anything.

Maybe Rush Limbaugh #1! could write the edited section, or a counterpoint for you to put in before/after the part you wrote, and you could just edit it in there?

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

CronoGamer posted:

Well, it's been a week since you said you'd use your brand new everyday fancypants Nokia damned johnny-come-lately mobile internet access (am i getting my bitterness across enough?) to change it...

Been too busy using it to download porn.

BTW, people who haven't left yet, if you are leaving for a post that already has volunteers, offer to burn a bunch of porn to DVD and sell it to them. You could probably make a lot of money.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen
Haha. Rather than have that be the very first interaction you have with a bunch of people at your post, though, I would burn a bunch of porn before hand, THEN sell/distribute it to them once you know people. Most will love it but there will be the oddballs that don't take kindly to such things and will think you're a 'pervert' or some bullshit.

reddeh
May 18, 2004

Moon Slayer posted:

Gonna add all that to the OP, if that's ok with you, reddeh. The last thread always get a lot of CS majors wondering what they would do in Peace Corps.

Feel free to add whatever, I know I had a tough time figuring out what IT volunteers did before going and would have liked some sort of reference.

Oh and to comment on the "bring porn with you", gather seasons of TV shows/new movies instead. Theres nothing like seeing how low your dignity can sink when you're bored and watched all you have on your hard drive and you turn to the episodes of Ugly Betty that were added to your external HD by a sitemate...

Also my old blog is http://marcointogo.blogspot.com if you want to add that to the OP

Thesaurus
Oct 3, 2004


Moon Slayer posted:

2: You will probably not know any of the language of your host country before you leave.

I take it you mean "before you leave from the US" (as opposed to after you finish your service in the country)?

What are people's experiences with the local languages? How extensive is the language training you receive during the first two months? I'm sure it depends on the language in particular, but do most people attain some degree of fluency (or at least competency) during their two years? Or do you find yourselves getting by on English and not needing to learn the local language?

For me, the language immersion is a big incentive to join the PC (in addition to the standard reasons). A language like Macedonian probably wouldn't be as useful as Russian or Spanish, but it may open doors to oddball jobs down the road, or at least make you more interesting/diverse.

Thesaurus fucked around with this message at 00:50 on Oct 28, 2009

Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

Thesaurus posted:

I take it you mean "before you leave from the US" (as opposed to after you finish your service in the country)?

Yes, that is what I meant.

reddeh posted:

Oh and to comment on the "bring porn with you", gather seasons of TV shows/new movies instead. Theres nothing like seeing how low your dignity can sink when you're bored and watched all you have on your hard drive and you turn to the episodes of Ugly Betty that were added to your external HD by a sitemate...

Or you could live in a country flooded with Chinese bootleg DVD's. Back in May I picked up all 10 seasons of Stargate: SG1 for $20 in Phnom Penh :smug:.

Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.

Thesaurus posted:

I take it you mean "before you leave from the US" (as opposed to after you finish your service in the country)?

What are people's experiences with the local languages? How extensive is the language training you receive during the first two months? I'm sure it depends on the language in particular, but do most people attain some degree of fluency (or at least competency) during their two years? Or do you find yourselves getting by on English and not needing to learn the local language?

For me, the language immersion is a big incentive to join the PC (in addition to the standard reasons). A language like Macedonian probably wouldn't be as useful as Russian or Spanish, but it may open doors to oddball jobs down the road, or at least make you more interesting/diverse.

I was pretty confident with Malagasy after the 10 weeks of training, but became way more proficient once I got to site. The level people attain, I find, directly corresponded to how many other English speakers they had at their site/how much interaction they had with them. I had 0, so I was pretty good. My friend had a whole Norwegian community (Norway is big in Madagascar...) and could barely get by even after two years.

Some people, mind you, only ever spoke English, and some only spoke French! I spoke Malagasy 95% of my day, unless I was teaching. But I even taught English in Malagasy so maybe 95% stands.

reddeh
May 18, 2004

Moon Slayer posted:

Or you could live in a country flooded with Chinese bootleg DVD's. Back in May I picked up all 10 seasons of Stargate: SG1 for $20 in Phnom Penh :smug:.

We just got Nigerian rap vcd's :/

Thesaurus posted:

What are people's experiences with the local languages? How extensive is the language training you receive during the first two months? I'm sure it depends on the language in particular, but do most people attain some degree of fluency (or at least competency) during their two years? Or do you find yourselves getting by on English and not needing to learn the local language?

Togo, being about the size of West Virginia, had over 60 distinct ethnic groups with their own unique languages. I picked up phrases in 3-4 of them, but wouldn't consider myself fluent at all. There was a volunteer who just COS'd though that was absolutely fluent in Kotokoli (local language) and would amaze HCN's because his intonation as well as word usage was perfect. Personally I had enough trouble just learning French, the official language of the country, that I didn't work too hard on my Kabiye.

Evil Adam
Jul 18, 2003

He's very good.
By the way, I work with a girl who got back from Togo I think this year? Her site was Vogon, which always makes me think she did Peace Corps Hitchhikers Guide.

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Moon Slayer
Jun 19, 2007

There you go, I re-worded the OP. If anyone still has a serious problem with it, feel free to type something up and I'll include it in the OP as sort of a point/counter-point like dealy.

Also, happy Water Festival.

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