The Peace Corps
On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued an order creating the Peace Corps. Its mission was to promote world peace and friendship by providing qualified volunteers to interested countries. Today it sends an average of 6,000 U.S. citizens abroad each year.
Volunteers live at a local level in their host countries. They are paid in local currency. Each month they receive a small sum of money that covers basic living expenses, and varies with the local economy. For example, volunteers in Micronesia make the equivalent of $300 per month, while those in Turkmenistan make $75. Most volunteers live with host families. This is a great chance to learn the language and the culture.
For each month that they spend overseas, volunteers receive a sum of about $200. This money helps them to get back on their feet in the United States.
Serving countries all over the world, the Peace Corps lives up to its promise as "the toughest job you'll ever love." Volunteers do everything from teaching English to sharing tips on growing food to providing preventive health care. However, the application process to become a Peace Corps volunteer is very competitive. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least eighteen years old, in good health, and willing to serve for two years. Nearly all volunteers have a bachelor's degree in their chosen field, and about 18 percent have their master's or doctorate degrees. Knowing a language, especially French and Spanish, helps.