How to Join the Peace Corps

The Peace Corps was founded in 1960 by John F. Kennedy, and it's still going strong. Every year, hundreds of bright new professionals join the peace corps to help those in third-world countries. It's a long process, but for many it's worth it. The Peace Corps isn't a walk in the park and there are few, if any, material benefits, but many people believe that it's the best job in the world because you know that you're making this planet a better place. If you've been considering joining the Peace Corps, read on and find out what you have to do.

Make the Commitment
Before you even apply to join the Peace Corps, you should know in your heart that this is a commitment you can keep. Most professionals are asked to sign a two-year pledge to the Peace Corps, which means that you can't get out of it just because you've decided you've had enough. In some cases, Peace Corps positions can be heart-breaking or even terrifying, though most members say that it is equally fulfilling. You might be stationed in a country rife with political unrest as well as issues involving education and disease.

Submit Your Application
In order to join the Peace Corps, you will need to fill out an application. It can either be downloaded at PeaceCorps.org, or you can call them at 800.424.8580 to request an application by mail. Make sure that you're ready to fill it out completely, as they will ask for quite a bit of information. You'll need to disclose your education, your work history, your citizenship status, and your level of familiarity with different industries and skills, such as agriculture, health, the environment and at-risk youth.