1. Peace Corps
Info for Volunteers, ages 50+
CHALLENGES
- Learning the language of your host country is especially important, but your study skills
may be dusty, even rusty
- Grandchildren might keep some from joining, but can also serve as inspiration to make
the world a better place for their future.
- Computers and internet access will help communicate with family and friends back
home. Get with the technology!
- Peace Corps provides cell phones in country and texting is cheaper than talking, so
learn to send text messages.
- Bring a laptop for email, and use Facebook, Skype or Facetime (for Mac users) to
video chat with other PCVs and family and friends.
- Special medical issues and dietary needs may not be easy to accommodate
- Be prepared for age discrimination on the part of a few younger PC Volunteers. (Learn
to break those stereotypes!)
- The older you are, the more stuff you've accumulated that needs to be “managed”
while you're away for 2+ years.
THE BEST PART
-You are accorded credibility and respect as an “elder.” Community leaders recognize
life skills and seem more accepting of older volunteers.
-Your lifetime experiences provide insight into relationships which are essential to
developing projects.
-You recognize others needs and know how to accommodate them.
-You're realistic about what you can accomplish.
-You already know how to budget, cook from scratch, and set up housekeeping. That
allows you to focus on your project assignment.
-Collect Social Security (if you are eligible) and bank it for 27 months.
-You will be placed where there are medical services you might need; full health
coverage.
FYI: If you have an elderly parent, be aware that in the event of their death (or the death
of an immediate family member) during your service, PC does provide transportation
and 3 weeks time for your return to USA.
-If you desire a warm climate, say so when completing your application. Be aware
however, that specific requests for a particular country, type of service, or medical
needs, may mean it takes longer to get a PC assignment. I checked the “I'll go
anywhere, I'll do anything” box and continue to marvel that I was assigned to this
fascinating “Eastern” culture that is Azerbaijan.
Some comments from mature volunteers:
http://inspiredtoretire.blogspot.com/
---- PEGGY REINHARDT, 68 YEARS OLD

2. 1. I have not had any terrible problems here except for the language. I have been
studying ever since I got here but I speak English all day long and don't seem to be able
to use Azeri well at all. I'm not a whiz at foreign languages but I did not expect to be this
bad!
2. The young people of Ganja have accepted me without any reservations. They don't
seem to think it odd to hang around with someone old enough to be their grandmother.
This is not the case with some of my fellow PCVs. Some of the PCVs act as if it would
not be cool to be seen talking with an older PCV. They haven't exactly been rude but a
few of them have not even said hello to me even though I have said hello to them at PC
events. I'm not surprised at this - Americans are trained to shun older people.
3. I would tell any person to bring all of their skills and get ready to work.
4. Contact at least three people in your assigned country before you go. Doing this
helped me avoid some mistakes about things I brought with me from home.
---- ELAINE, AGE 60, COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LARGE CITY
THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. If you are a religious person who attends worship services regularly, think about how
important this is to your sense of self and well-being. In some countries this won't be an
issue but other countries you may not be able to attend a worship service for months,
years or your whole service.
2. It costs a lot more than I thought it would to be accepted into the PC (medical
clearance) and to put my life on hold in the states before entering the PC. You really
need to want to serve as a volunteer and be willing to spend money to get yourself to the
place where this is possible. And you need to have a "nest egg" of some significance
before you go into service for your reentry to America and the job search.
3. Illnesses -- you are going to be sick during your service on a regular basis. From
minor things to major things. You have to be able to accept this. I have been sick with
something every month I've been here so far.
4. PC as an organization is one that it geared towards working with volunteers who are
very young adults and many of them are very immature as well. This can be extremely
annoying, frustrating, and discouraging. It's reminds me of a quote about Harvard: "You
get an education at Harvard in spite of it and not because of it."
5. It's not easy to do things that are sustainable but that's what you should try to do. I
strongly suggest people read the book, The Art of Crossing Cultures by Craig Storti and
other books from the Inter-cultural Press. PC service is very different from going with
your church or other nonprofit organization for a week to a month as a volunteer
somewhere overseas.
My final comment is that I'm intellectually and spiritually in the best shape I've been in
decades! I love being an ambassador for my country and working baby step by baby
step to build peace across cultures and among people around the world!
---- ROXANN, AGE 56, ENGLISH TEACHER, RURAL DISTRICT TOWN.

3. Information:
www.peacecorps.gov
http://www.peacecorpswiki.com/