I'm currently doing research on the Peace Corps for one of my classes and considering joining after my graduate school as well. I had been given the impression by some people I talked to that the Peace Corps was exceptionally busy work but this video made it kind of seem like it wasn't anymore busy than a normal day of work. Thanks for offering some insight into what a real day looks like. It helps a lot with making the decision.
Definitely not busy work! But also complicated, I don't always feel like I've gotten enough don't. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about Peace Corps! And glad this video helped give you a better idea what we're about
Im looking into the peace corps. Thinking of applying. I feel love I have a higher purpose and I want to use my time wisely on earth. I know I can adapt. But it's a hard decision leaving behind people and life as we know it.
I'm thinking about shooting a market comparison video, looking at my little weekly market vs the huge daily one in Kankan. Hopefully I can put it together soon!
I lived up country Liberia Africa........ Temps were HOT ! And humid. In my time living there ( two years ) I never got use to the heat ! Sweated all day and night... took a bath three times a day. Things in Guinea must be a lot better now days ! Back in 1978....Liberia.........might get two meals a day......none of the spices available. Red Pepper was about it. Veggies didnt exist. Had 6 vegans in our group of 60 people. They all returned home with in 3 months. They were starving.... So much for not eating meat ! Mail once every two months......no electricity. Had to walk a 1/4 mile for water..... washed cloths by hand. We had no education supplies. Count your self lucky ! But loved the experience !!!! The people were great !
Hey Colt! What Camera do you use to shoot these videos? I have a Canon, but I don’t know if that’s really acceptable to be carrying around the community at all times! Is there a smaller camera you suggest?
Hi Colt! I am conducting research about the different languages that are used in Guinea, and I really appreciate your discussion of this topic in this video! More specifically, I want to find out how English is used in Guinea, if it is even used with any regularity. How do you think English is used? If you are open to it, I would also love to have a more in depth conversation with you about this topic!
thank you for sharing this! I had just completed my peace corps interview when all the volunteers evacuated so my application process has been frozen. Watching videos like this has been one of the things getting me through the waiting process! This is one of the most genuine and informative ones I've watched! Also did you bring a drone with you to capture that footage?
Good luck, hopefully you'll hear soon! And thank you! I didn't bring a drone initially, but after consulting with my community I had one sent over. Some countries don't allow them, and some communities are distrustful even if they're allowed, so they can impact integration.
Fantastic video. You're doing great work in Guinea! I have taught in India and I'm about to leave for a new job in China, but I've always wanted to join the Peace Corps. How do you handle being far from home, western comforts, and other volunteers?
thank you for making this video! i’m a rising junior in high school, so i’ve got a while before i can apply, but this is what i want to do with my life. i want to help other people! it’s a weird question, but is there any way i can start preparing now to apply?
For sure! Anything you do that is in line with the Peace Corps goals is a good idea. Responsible volunteering, learning about other countries/cultures, and being a leader are good ways to start.
I am considering joining the Peace Corps after university and I was wondering if you think I should learn French over Swahili or which one would be more beneficial to learn if I want to volunteer in an African country (I'm not sure which one specifically). Thank you!
Thanks man! Really glad to hear you're enjoying them :) I'll hopefully be uploading another video tomorrow (assuming my solar panels cooperate and I can get my computer charged) so keep your eye out for the next one!
When I graduate from university i plan on applying to the peace corps as an educator like you! I'll be receiving my AA in French next semester and my BA in linguistics in 2022. I would love to work in Guinea. I've been thinking about teaching in Africa for years and hearing you speak French made me so happy. Do you have any tips or advice for someone before applying?
That's great! You'll certainly be well prepared language-wise. Beyond that, teaching experience is really important as Peace Corps Volunteers are supposed to help other teachers improve their teaching. And educating yourself about the cultural side of wherever you are serving will go a long way.
Hey Colt, I really appreciate what you've been doing. I'm currently an undergrad studying to work with kids via therapy and education. Do you recommend joining Peace Corps after undergrad or after grad school? Does it depend on what sector or part of the world?
This is a great question! The general advice I would give to anyone is make sure that your qualifications to do the job you get as a PCV are more than being an American. Generally, this means that 1. you have technical skills that apply to your job and 2. you have language/cultural skills that apply to your job. Even after you've met those two things, it's important to look at your own motivations for applying through lenses like white saviorism, neo-colonialism, etc. When you feel like you've met those requirements, then I think you're ready (so it's not so much a question of undergrad vs grad school, though grad school could help you hit some of those things). Not trying to dissuade you from joining, but I would have been a better volunteer had a done these things earlier/before my service. I'm going to stop this comment here so I don't write too much, but I'm happy to continue the conversation here, or feel free to shoot me an email! Best of luck-with your background it sounds like you could make a great education volunteer!
Nutrition to some extent, but probably not exactly what you're thinking. The weightlifting side of things you're not going to find here in Guinea, and they don't really need it.
Ah, that's so good to hear! It's def been a good decision for me. If you have any questions about how to feel free to reach out, and if you're interested let's collaborate sometime!
Hi Jen, is there an age requirement for the the Peace Corp? I'm 42 years old and considering volunteering. I'm in perfect health but, I'm not sure about the age requirement.
Any hope for equatorial Guinea? The IQ is under 60 and that means the whole country almost have special needs. Is there hope? I hope so but am very worried.
What a lovely vlog! I'm applying to teach English there for 2020 and I currently teach Middle School English in the States and I've taught in China, Russia & Poland... I couldn't agree more with your "kids are kids" statement, haha! I'm definitely going to be checking out more of your channel. :)
Hi, were you in any programs that allowed you to teach in China, Russia and Poland? I’m a teacher that what’s to teach internationally but I’m not quite sure how to go about it
Thing I liked was for one seeing them kidds smile man, Another thing would be seems like you don't really have an opportunity to waste more than you would want there, Not sure if you're still there Maybe get a t-shirt and have all the kidd's sign it, Having the solar panels there is always a good touch, If the cities and family homes in the state's had solar panels available cheap they would save hundreds of dollars a year and it's coming from a good source.. from God, Being here in the states they know it will help, so they charge about 15,000+ for solar panels. The lower area we come from families just don't have it... Truly seems like the more populated the area is the more evil tries to consume the good people within it, places like this and where you're teaching at and what you're teaching is just all around good energy, Best of times to you fella,
Do you know if there is any peace corps members that are like parent and kid like my mother has always wanted to do humanity work like this and I as well and I've seen couples peace corps but no family if you know anything like that i'd appreciate a tip or info
Do you need a teaching degree to become a teaching volunteer? I have experience tutoring organic chemistry and would like to teach It if I become a volunteer. Would they be able to make an exception if the teaching degree is needed?
It's a lot of setting the camera down and walking out of frame, then walking back into it again. Looks great when you've filmed it but really silly in the moment haha.
This video was super helpful and gave me some insight into what teaching in the peace corps looks like so thank you! Do you need to have a major in education to teach? Also how long did you work there?
Noice bruh. As an RPCV from S. Africa this vid strikes a chord and resonates big time. Also, I'm watching this from Japan right now, so holla' if you need some legit artisanal soy sauce!
@@brett7011 You are thinking in American cost of living. Where he is at is a LOT cheaper. Housing is provided free or at a very low cost. Food is cheap. Don't have to pay for gas and car insurance because everything is within walking distance. Plus once you are done your 2 year stint they give you $10,000 at the end. At least that is what they say on their website.
@@casssmith2002 it's like working for the military. They should pay you in US wages. I was interested but if all I have is 10k after end of 2 years I'd rather do something else.
@@brett7011 I was in the Army for 12 years and thought it was funny I paid Federal taxes only to have them turn around and give it back to me in a paycheck. But like the military, PCVs still have to file taxes since you are technically still working for the U.S. Government. Of course you will fall under the poverty level but they still require you to file yearly even though you are in another country. Also, you don't go into PCV to "make a living" or career. You are volunteering for 2 years to help others less fortunate, but in this case these volunteers get some money to "survive" while volunteering. I have never served as a PCV but I have watched tons of PCV Vlogs and documentries about it to get the jist that it isn't for most folks that are used to "First World" living. Especially when you are living with people that make our "poor" in the US look like they are living like kings.
Part of it is a pack of teachers/lack of teachers that actually show up. Also depending on the season people will go to the fields or mines to work after school.
In the majority of cases you can't join right out of high school. Most of our jobs require University degrees unless you have professional knowledge of something, the most common example being agriculture.
I hear you must I have a bachelors degree in most situations to volunteer. What are the chances that a paramedic with an associates degree might get accepted?
There are requirements, and your post will depend to some extent on your history. But training is also excellent, so they'll get you up to speed if there are gaps.
This has been one of the more informative PC videos I've seen as far as the "whole picture". How did you get the drone footage? Did you take a drone with you?
Hi Colt! I enjoyed your video and your photos on Instagram are beyond beautiful! I wanted to ask you about the language. Did you know French before applying to a French-speaking country? Is it possible to go somewhere where you are not familiarized with the language?
Yes, it definitely is, as I arrived in Guinea without any French. The language training here is very good, and in my opinion being thrown into the language/culture is the best way to learn.
@@ColtBradley It is called peaking. I decided against trying to join the Peace Corps. Because in my home town. A girl who joined. Died from Malaria while deployed. Her family is suing the Peace Corps. It was all over our news papers. I also did not like the idea that the Peace Corps respects Gender Identity. I felt that it is a very immature political standing to have. It is perfectly fine to be left leaning. But, that far left is just moronic. I feel that I would be putting my life in the hands of people who would make poor decisions.
This was awesome! Are there any other education volunteers in your village? It would be cool to know what social hours are like outside of a classroom on a day to day basis.
Nope! They tend not to put volunteers too close, so my closest volunteer is a 2 or 3 hour bike ride. That's not true for everyone, but it's true in general. Social hours for me involve going to a cafe or hanging with my host family!
So is school only in the morning? Or does it just depend what classes they take? Also I’m curious-how long is your commute to the school? The kids’ too? I’d love to see a video about what the school system in guinea is like, it seems pretty interesting!
Really good insight into what kind of work you do in the peace corps. I’m considering joining after I finish my degree in 2 semesters. The only restriction would be the medications I’m on.
Should i go to college just to go to the peace corp and if want to help kids like afterschool what should i go for? Im very interested in going but i dont feel like im qualified. I just got my ged like 2 weeks ago...
