Is this Peace Corps application worth doing?

I know it might seem unusual to consider this step now but I really would like to serve before 30

Not really unusual at all. People join at all ages. I joined at 37. There were numerous people in their 50s and 60s in my group.

I'd like to serve in only Armenia. I want to be able to truly integrate the full two years of service, become semi fluent in Armenian. . . . but am I being completely unrealistic?

Probably. I would guess that if you tell the PC that, they won't bother to process you. But that is just my opinion. Generally speaking you go where they need you, not where you want to go. You can, sometimes, refuse one assignment, but I think if you refuse two - they won't bother to offer you a third.

I am fully fluent in Spanish (grew up speaking it!) but am afraid to list this...should I do that anyway?

I suspect that will influence your offer if you indicate that. You might leave it out.

Also, like most people I have federal (non private) student loans...is there any way that this could get in my way e.g owing too much?

Student loans can usually be deferred for the duration of your service.

I am thinking the PC is not for you. Just my opinion.

You might instead want to see if there are NGOs or other agencies that might have a role for you to play in Armenia. You mention you will have the MA, but you don't mention if you have any real teaching experience - that might play an important part in how this could sort out for you.

Generally speaking it is better to approach the PC with an open mind about where you want to go. I wanted to go to Latin America but ended up in Africa. It actually worked out great.

IF you have a specific destination in mind you might research that destination and work backward from there to a specific agency that provides services there and apply to them or ask their advice/direction about finding a role for you there.

It can be a challenge just to get the general geographic region you request. I can't recall anyone getting the specific country they asked for.

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your responses thus far! Zzark, thank you for being honest and rather frank :) An instinct, if you will, is pushing me to keep going with this application.

I've read about the cohort of 'older' PC volunteers, I just don't see myself being able to do this past 30 because of babies, houses and such haha!

I am a newly certified teacher but do have a fair amount of experience. One year as an Aboriginal Education Officer here in Australia, two extensive (special education) teaching practicums and a couple years of being an English language tutor for America Reads when I was an undergrad...might this make any difference?

I'd like to volunteer or work for an NGO but my reality is either I need to: a.) make decent money to cover student loans and living expenses or b.) be able to defer my student loans without much consequence there is a farfetched option c.) which is working in Armenia but I'll save that for the other section of this board. I am still researching and trying to find an company/organisation that might take me on.

Fluffy Bunny, where did you serve and where did you orginally want to serve? Was your recruiter positive about this?

Cheers,

Sohniye

Edited by: sohniye

What about working for the UN in some capacity? Are they stationed in Armenia? Unbeknownst to many just because it's an NGO or non-profit org. doesn't mean it's really non-profit. Some of the salaries of these CEOs who run these places are ridiculous!! There's a reason why more and more people are "volunteering" with a non-profit.

There's another large US org. around the world, which I can't think of right now. You could try them too.