In 1966, the Peace Corps peaked at 15,000 volunteers, serving in 52 countries. Today, that number is about half, with about 7000 volunteers serving in 60 countries, according to The History Channel. Robert Goetschkes was one of those dedicated Peace Corps volunteers who served for 2.5 years after graduating from college. His Peace Corps travels took him to India, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. Afterwards, he settled in New York, got married, and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, then began his successful career as a teacher for 25 years.
Today, young people leaving college wonder if the Peace Corps is still a good option today! Robert Goetschkes believes emphatically in the benefits of college graduates exploring the world, serving needy populations, and promoting peace around the world. Here are some tangible benefits and opportunities for those considering the Peace Corps.
Robert Goetschkes on Peace Corps Benefits
Obtain field experience matched with your education
As a Peace Corp volunteer, you serve for about 2 years after training in the states. And yes, they do go to lengths matching your education and skills with appropriate field assignments. After that, it’s up to you which geographic region and dates you desire to work. You can leave the Peace Corps with valuable, hands-on experience that is unmatched by corporate employers in the US.
Student loan benefit options
Many college graduates join the Peace Corps to take advantage of student loan benefits, which include:
- student loan deferment
- partial cancellation
- income-driven repayment
- student loan forgiveness
It all depends on how you paid for college, what Federal or private educational grants you received, and sometimes what type of degree you have received. For more information, Robert Goetschkes suggests you do a little research on the Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Travel the world and never worry about living expenses
And this is the other popular reason why you should consider the Peace Corps. Where else can you travel the world, free of charge, get paid, and not have to worry about living expenses? The modest stipend would not support living expenses in the US, or in most large foreign cities. But, this can also be a benefit. You learn how to budget and how to spend money wisely. These are skills that many young people entering the workforce have not developed – and often they regret the effects of consumerism on their credit rating.
Robert Goetschkes recommends you at least look into the Peace Corps. You don’t need to know a second language, but after many months or years in a country, you will certainly pick up on the local dialect. Also, you don’t have to worry about medical or dental costs because the Peace Corps adds these benefits for those who volunteer.