Why would someone make a video like this? Seriously, do you despise people that are trying to do good and experience something that much? Even if all this is true and the Peace Corps isn't very effective, is that a reason to not try at all? I can understand being annoyed by self-righteousness, but you could say the exact same things about any military branch. The fact that you took the time to make this video tells me that you have no life.
@skanky87 idk, I'm a current volunteer and this is pretty spot on. We shared it at our post and were all laughing about it. It's just another perspective, and things to think about when you're applying :)
@skanky87 All valid points and I'm glad you raised them. BUT, I don't think the video is ridiculing the Peace Corps as a whole or the idea behind it - it's just mocking the naivete of people who want to join the PC, but have often ludicrously rosy ideas about the daily duties and routines they'll have to perform or get used to.
LOL! So true. To survive in the Peace Corps you need a healthy dose of both optimism and realism. You just don't do as well if you are totally one mindset or the other. And it doesn't really matter where you are placed, city or countryside, internet or no internet, comfy amenities or rustic. Some aspects of the Peace Corps experience are common to all volunteers, wherever they may be!
This is hilariously spot on. But if I could go back and choose again, I'd still do it! There's lots of good stuff about the experience too. -Current PCV, Peru
Oh, God. I hope this isn't true. This is making me not want to do Peace Corps. I don't mind the rest, but the part about bugs growing in your nails scared the crap out of me D:
@SakiOhMa It can be true. Depends on where you go. I taught english In Madagascar and it was a blast. To this day I am still fluent in Malagasy and French, the latter of which is INCREDIBLY useful. I NEVER used corporal punishment, and it was against the rules. I only got sick once, from eating bad vanilla. I even spent my off days helping the community, and I made a solar panel with my students on my off time. If you want to join though, I'd recommend college first. But its great, it really is.
@chocolatedonut31 Nice! If you don't mind me asking, did you major in French in college? I was thinking about minoring in French to increase my chances of being sent to a French speaking country.
As a RPCV this is more true than I would like to say. I was laughing at it the whole time because of how true it was. I enjoyed my time as a volunteer but you do miss things about the States while you are there.
I actually got nominated into Peace Corps XD I have a talent for learning languages, that chick is wellll a cynical bitch. I've lived overseas, lived in shitty conditions in developing countries. Though I dunno I think the things she is saying has more to do with Americans who just never had any international experience. Anyway Peace Corps sounds better than the jobs I had in Roppongi. Trust me anything is better than Roppongi.
RPCV 1973-6 This is so close to the truth. I return to my site every couple of years and see PCVs barracaded in their homes with internet and cell phones. We did't have any electricity or running water but after a week of culture shock, assimulated nicely. I have met many good PCVs in country. All hope is not lost.
I tried to explain to a friend the other day that being in the Peace Corps doesn't make you a sensitive nice guy, it makes you want to cut off your feet after walking 21 miles in the Sudan.
Currently in PC Benin. Laughed til I cried while watching this. The part about training really hit home... I had no idea the experience was so universal.
While SOME of what the guy is aspiring to does occur in service, the romantic idea of PC more than not tends to resembles this. Though it's kind of sad that there are fewer and fewer exceptional volunteers. Still, the video is hysterically true for PCVs/RPCVs.
I disagree that there are fewer and fewer exceptional volunteers. The Peace Corps has become exceptionally competitive and has more highly qualified volunteers than ever with fewer spots available.
I agree that this video is hilarious, though! :-)
Currently serving in Madagascar... no surprise I'm in the capital with another expat checking facebook, gmail and checking the latest on youtube to see whats going on in the states. this video is HILARIOUS. can't wait to share it with other pcv's here. misaotra betaska (tribal language translation -- thanks a lot)!
What a great video! It's so true ... jaja.. I'm in El Salvador right now and well, I did get tired of not having internet ... so, I went to the nearest city and then moved to a bigger community to get internet access in my home. And being sick all the time. I've come down with so much stuff I didn't have before from allergies to foot pain and a serious sinus infection that never seems to go away. This video is hilarious and true.
SOOOO true ( i didn't use corporal punishment though- i sent them home to their parents) El Salvador 2008-2010. .. This was really great thank you whoever made it!!!
That is a wonderful realistic view of PC :) A great complement to the recent idealistic PC advertisement of the person reflecting on his experiences!!
one more comment... both sides to this conversation are true. I knew people that lived on both sides of the PC experience. Some folks never left their village and became part of their community others were always in the capital. I feel my experience was somewhere in the middle. Kyrgyzstan 2005-07
Fantastic video. Found the parts concerning women, constant illness and not leaving the house to avoid one's neighbors hit particularly close to home. PC was a great opportunity to see and do some amazing things, and a great first job in development, but I would never, ever do it again. Thailand 2008-2010
@michaelketover As an RPCV, I thought this was great. It really is a great image of both extremes: epitomizing the stereotypes of people going in and others' opinion of them. Both characters are ridiculous and yet there's some truth in both of them.
Ha! This is hilarious...I miss Turkmenistan. Irritable bowel movements and all, I love and appreciate that I had such a unique, though disturbing at times, experience.
This video is spot on, definitely going to pass it on! (Turkmenistan 2007-2009)
Spot on, man! I loved the description of botflies - I remember suffocating mine that was growing in my leg and then popping it out when it was dead. My favorite PC slogan was "The Longest Vacation You'll Ever Hate." Nicaragua 26, Ag, 01-03.
@mmezeezee- I don't think this should really be taken too seriously. I take it as a tongue-in-cheek remark about some of the negative sides, but in no way does being realistic about some of the challenges (illness, stares, corporal punishment in schools, etc.) make someone a "useless, self-pitying expat." They're there, must be dealt with, but should in no way ruin someone's experience.
I went to a school that had corporal punishment . Its all real, but I think the negative sides of this seems to be more in tune with Americans that have never been expats in their entire lives. I think for Americans with international experience will pretty much enjoy the challenges given to them in the Peace Corps, or maybe not, but they know what to expect. I just got nominated into Peace Corps my region will be Asia. I am kinda praying for China but not mongolia my ex lives there
As the mother of an RPCV (is that right - Returning PCV?) from Paraguay and a visitor to her community, this video was right on. Especially since even visitors can get pique's and have to dig them out of their toenails like zits! I am glad to hear that Western Russia 1999-2000 was not like this video.
When peace corps volunteers eat our local food, we are making a great experience pigging out in McDonalds! Really useful for both of us, looking gung ho and making a splash!!! Good luck guys in "the third world"!
Hahah, as a current PC volunteer, lots of that is true. I feel like the real peace corps experience is in between the extreme optimism and pessimism of the two characters. It's a good video though for prospective volunteers, so they can lower their expectations a little bit. great video!
@michaelketover I'm PC Philippines (10-12), and it's a huge relief to know that the stuff I'm dealing with here happens other places too. If everyone in the world were a PC volunteer, this would be viral.
welcome to being an expat man. I don't know if it is PEace Corps specific. I do know these are the kinds of things first timers to world of expats react. avoiding neighbors? Why? because its hard to communicate and frustrating for you, but to be honest the more you interact the easier it becomes. Living overseas in a different culture, and infrastructure does this to you. But these things are what newly arrived expats feel.
At least have the nerve to tell people your year and country of service, because Western Russia 1999-2001 was AWESOME and nothing like that (except the laptop part) and I loved my students, and nobody hit their kids their, and the training was fantastic. Peace Corps is what you make of it... what a miserable video. "I was a useless self-pitying expat, and you all will be, too." Fail.
@MmeZeeZee hi, thanks for the note. i served in honduras in the nineties and extended to open a new program in guyana. i've been PC staff overseas and at HQ, too. all the best, michael
thank you man. A lot of Americans who just never left the country before have these feelings even before they get to go overseas. In fact its what keeps a large majority for ever wanting to go thinking its sooo adventurous of others to do it, but really so many people are taking their degrees, skills, and experience overseas that its become a norm. I think there needs to be a new social class set aside for American professionals whose careers are overseas.
Why would someone make a video like this? Seriously, do you despise people that are trying to do good and experience something that much? Even if all this is true and the Peace Corps isn't very effective, is that a reason to not try at all? I can understand being annoyed by self-righteousness, but you could say the exact same things about any military branch. The fact that you took the time to make this video tells me that you have no life.
skanky87 1 month ago 7
@skanky87 idk, I'm a current volunteer and this is pretty spot on. We shared it at our post and were all laughing about it. It's just another perspective, and things to think about when you're applying :)
westcharl 1 month ago
@skanky87 All valid points and I'm glad you raised them. BUT, I don't think the video is ridiculing the Peace Corps as a whole or the idea behind it - it's just mocking the naivete of people who want to join the PC, but have often ludicrously rosy ideas about the daily duties and routines they'll have to perform or get used to.
ZemplinTemplar 1 week ago
LOL! So true. To survive in the Peace Corps you need a healthy dose of both optimism and realism. You just don't do as well if you are totally one mindset or the other. And it doesn't really matter where you are placed, city or countryside, internet or no internet, comfy amenities or rustic. Some aspects of the Peace Corps experience are common to all volunteers, wherever they may be!
anahernandezbalzac 2 months ago
This is hilariously spot on. But if I could go back and choose again, I'd still do it! There's lots of good stuff about the experience too. -Current PCV, Peru
ktayers 2 months ago
I am on the odd a part of Youtube once more.
markmartinez717 2 months ago
Someone really needs to print up shirts that say "I did the "Community Development"...
i4647 2 months ago 5
lol
shadowzach00 3 months ago
Lol!!
stymie662 3 months ago
Just got my invitation to Mongolia to do the "community development" haha!! And now I'm eating delicious spicy chicken wings! Good times...
smt4242 4 months ago
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smt4242 4 months ago
That woman's a narrow-minded pessimist, I think she's the one who needs to join the Peace Corps.
imlivinitupniggaz 5 months ago
Oh, God. I hope this isn't true. This is making me not want to do Peace Corps. I don't mind the rest, but the part about bugs growing in your nails scared the crap out of me D:
SakiOhMa 5 months ago
@SakiOhMa It can be true. Depends on where you go. I taught english In Madagascar and it was a blast. To this day I am still fluent in Malagasy and French, the latter of which is INCREDIBLY useful. I NEVER used corporal punishment, and it was against the rules. I only got sick once, from eating bad vanilla. I even spent my off days helping the community, and I made a solar panel with my students on my off time. If you want to join though, I'd recommend college first. But its great, it really is.
chocolatedonut31 4 months ago
@chocolatedonut31 Nice! If you don't mind me asking, did you major in French in college? I was thinking about minoring in French to increase my chances of being sent to a French speaking country.
cowilliams1989 4 months ago
As a RPCV this is more true than I would like to say. I was laughing at it the whole time because of how true it was. I enjoyed my time as a volunteer but you do miss things about the States while you are there.
rpie99 7 months ago
@rpie99 thank you for your service!!
michaelketover 6 months ago
I actually got nominated into Peace Corps XD I have a talent for learning languages, that chick is wellll a cynical bitch. I've lived overseas, lived in shitty conditions in developing countries. Though I dunno I think the things she is saying has more to do with Americans who just never had any international experience. Anyway Peace Corps sounds better than the jobs I had in Roppongi. Trust me anything is better than Roppongi.
lordblazer 8 months ago
The whole time I am writing this comment, I am hearing the robot woman's voice saying everything I'm writing.
mysterysinger0000 8 months ago
haha ive wanted to do peacecorps since I was like seven, this scares me a little, but dosen't discourage me lol
MadameTourvel2012 8 months ago
I hate the american notion about global travel is that americans cannot function in other regions. :/
NovemberRainLove 8 months ago
bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
funny video!!
shmiggen 10 months ago
Bahaha. Ecuador PCV ('10-'12) here to confirm that these stereotypes exist for very real reasons.
agachristina 10 months ago
Wtf is this?
WeedPeaceSerenity 10 months ago
Hysterical...I watched this at work and had to stifle my laughs (Bolivia 98-00)
callajchulpa 11 months ago
RPCV 1973-6 This is so close to the truth. I return to my site every couple of years and see PCVs barracaded in their homes with internet and cell phones. We did't have any electricity or running water but after a week of culture shock, assimulated nicely. I have met many good PCVs in country. All hope is not lost.
ViolaTom 11 months ago
@ViolaTom agreed, viola tom, hope springs eternal!
michaelketover 11 months ago
we had a big get together (about 10 PCVs) here in Peace Corps Cape Verde. every single one of us was in stitches. SPOT ON!
PigeonCastle 11 months ago
@PigeonCastle obrigado! e manter o bom trabalho ... mk
michaelketover 11 months ago
Currently serving in Ghana - we all LOVE this video here.
"You know *nothing* about farming."
So true - I teach health and studied sociology in school. Might've taken a CPR course somewhere along the way, so I guess that qualifies me.
bdshanfan14 11 months ago
I AM ACTUALLY A CURRENTLY SERVING PCV IN MONGOLIA hahaha.. this is the truest thing ever!!
nadrasafi 1 year ago
@nadrasafi thank you for your service!
michaelketover 1 year ago
@michaelketover AWw thanks!! I appreciate that, thanks!
nadrasafi 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@michaelketover AWw thanks!! I appreciate that! =)
nadrasafi 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@michaelketover AWw thanks!! I appreciate that! =)
nadrasafi 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@michaelketover AWw thanks!! I appreciate that! =)
And you too
nadrasafi 9 months ago
This was clearly written by an RPCV! So, so true and universal. (Armenia 2009-2011)
hayleybinlb 1 year ago
I tried to explain to a friend the other day that being in the Peace Corps doesn't make you a sensitive nice guy, it makes you want to cut off your feet after walking 21 miles in the Sudan.
Dancolehawk 1 year ago
"You do not know what is the community development"
SO funnyyyy.... adbahahaa
pcfy1 1 year ago
Hillarious.
dalemassage1 1 year ago
also in PC Benin now. hilarious and so spot on.
elainahope 1 year ago
Currently in PC Benin. Laughed til I cried while watching this. The part about training really hit home... I had no idea the experience was so universal.
karalou82 1 year ago
@karalou82 thanks!!
michaelketover 1 year ago
Safi sana! This video must be a RPCV from Tanzania. I love community development in quotation marks...! (Tanzania 2001-2005)
Ticia1029 1 year ago
love this. so true! it was a really great experience overall, but this video shows the extremes that are inherent to the PC experience.
hellen597 1 year ago
While SOME of what the guy is aspiring to does occur in service, the romantic idea of PC more than not tends to resembles this. Though it's kind of sad that there are fewer and fewer exceptional volunteers. Still, the video is hysterically true for PCVs/RPCVs.
kibidangoDAIsuki 1 year ago
@kibidangoDAIsuki
I disagree that there are fewer and fewer exceptional volunteers. The Peace Corps has become exceptionally competitive and has more highly qualified volunteers than ever with fewer spots available.
I agree that this video is hilarious, though! :-)
smt4242 10 months ago
Dude, you must be an RPCV. This is hilariously spot-on. (Tanzania 2008-2010)
wovles 1 year ago
@wovles nzuri sana, bwana!
michaelketover 1 year ago
Currently serving in Madagascar... no surprise I'm in the capital with another expat checking facebook, gmail and checking the latest on youtube to see whats going on in the states. this video is HILARIOUS. can't wait to share it with other pcv's here. misaotra betaska (tribal language translation -- thanks a lot)!
goodgirl41 1 year ago
Watching this video, with a fellow American out of site, using my internet device from the capital. You got it dead on my friend. :)
gatorsns 1 year ago
Oooooh, I heart this sooo much. So true.
merrylea 1 year ago
Cape Verde 2010-2012... Thanks for the laughs. Much of this hits home.
mracre 1 year ago
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mracre 1 year ago
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mracre 1 year ago
Sometimes the truth hurts....so so very true, every word of it....Bulgaria 2005-2007
LolaMI5 1 year ago
What a great video! It's so true ... jaja.. I'm in El Salvador right now and well, I did get tired of not having internet ... so, I went to the nearest city and then moved to a bigger community to get internet access in my home. And being sick all the time. I've come down with so much stuff I didn't have before from allergies to foot pain and a serious sinus infection that never seems to go away. This video is hilarious and true.
jbibm81 1 year ago
SOOOO true ( i didn't use corporal punishment though- i sent them home to their parents) El Salvador 2008-2010. .. This was really great thank you whoever made it!!!
jessicarogala 1 year ago
omg. i am in debt for the rest of my life to whoever wrote that script. so simple. so obvious. so perfect. hilarious
amb236 1 year ago
@amb236 thanks, amb236!
michaelketover 1 year ago
That is a wonderful realistic view of PC :) A great complement to the recent idealistic PC advertisement of the person reflecting on his experiences!!
TheJohncoleman83 1 year ago
Hahaha. I'm in Cambodia right now. This video is so true down to the last word. So good. Thanks for the good laugh. Cambodia 2009-2011
PlayinSD 1 year ago
@PlayinSD thanks!!
michaelketover 1 year ago
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PlayinSD 1 year ago
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PlayinSD 1 year ago
HA!! I was Turkmenistan 2008-2010. This is so true. Every last word!
denk25 1 year ago
@Venatur aiwai tuura
studiomilam 1 year ago
one more comment... both sides to this conversation are true. I knew people that lived on both sides of the PC experience. Some folks never left their village and became part of their community others were always in the capital. I feel my experience was somewhere in the middle. Kyrgyzstan 2005-07
studiomilam 1 year ago
Fantastic video. Found the parts concerning women, constant illness and not leaving the house to avoid one's neighbors hit particularly close to home. PC was a great opportunity to see and do some amazing things, and a great first job in development, but I would never, ever do it again. Thailand 2008-2010
eurotrashshow 1 year ago
So true Kyrgyzstan 2007-2009
robtastic84 1 year ago
love this, it was spot on... but I'd do PC again
studiomilam 1 year ago
Wow, that was brutally honest. Well done! Did you write all of this or have others help?
AZPeaceCorps 1 year ago
@AZPeaceCorps thanks a lot. i put it together, bouncing ideas off my rpcv wife, too .... tried to capture both extremes with the two characters ....
michaelketover 1 year ago
@michaelketover As an RPCV, I thought this was great. It really is a great image of both extremes: epitomizing the stereotypes of people going in and others' opinion of them. Both characters are ridiculous and yet there's some truth in both of them.
kmellnick 1 year ago
Ha! This is hilarious...I miss Turkmenistan. Irritable bowel movements and all, I love and appreciate that I had such a unique, though disturbing at times, experience.
This video is spot on, definitely going to pass it on! (Turkmenistan 2007-2009)
nejis1980 1 year ago
@nejis1980 thanks a lot!!
michaelketover 1 year ago
Spot on, man! I loved the description of botflies - I remember suffocating mine that was growing in my leg and then popping it out when it was dead. My favorite PC slogan was "The Longest Vacation You'll Ever Hate." Nicaragua 26, Ag, 01-03.
tauricity 1 year ago
@mmezeezee- I don't think this should really be taken too seriously. I take it as a tongue-in-cheek remark about some of the negative sides, but in no way does being realistic about some of the challenges (illness, stares, corporal punishment in schools, etc.) make someone a "useless, self-pitying expat." They're there, must be dealt with, but should in no way ruin someone's experience.
ichesuzum 1 year ago
@ichesuzum thanks.
michaelketover 1 year ago
@ichesuzum
I went to a school that had corporal punishment . Its all real, but I think the negative sides of this seems to be more in tune with Americans that have never been expats in their entire lives. I think for Americans with international experience will pretty much enjoy the challenges given to them in the Peace Corps, or maybe not, but they know what to expect. I just got nominated into Peace Corps my region will be Asia. I am kinda praying for China but not mongolia my ex lives there
lordblazer 8 months ago
haha 'see what real winter is like' currently pcv in albania and im freezing... i know its not that bad but no central heating is a killer!
sleeplessnation 1 year ago
As the mother of an RPCV (is that right - Returning PCV?) from Paraguay and a visitor to her community, this video was right on. Especially since even visitors can get pique's and have to dig them out of their toenails like zits! I am glad to hear that Western Russia 1999-2000 was not like this video.
GretchEP 1 year ago
When peace corps volunteers eat our local food, we are making a great experience pigging out in McDonalds! Really useful for both of us, looking gung ho and making a splash!!! Good luck guys in "the third world"!
Bogenbaiuly 1 year ago
Hahah, as a current PC volunteer, lots of that is true. I feel like the real peace corps experience is in between the extreme optimism and pessimism of the two characters. It's a good video though for prospective volunteers, so they can lower their expectations a little bit. great video!
dmm2323 1 year ago
@dmm2323 thanks, extremes, yes!
michaelketover 1 year ago
Oh God, I know it's grim, but some days this video says everything I feel. I laughed very hard.
Of course, other days, I have interactions like this:
"Ma'am! Do all Americans look like you?"
"Some do, but some also look like you."
"Guapo, ma'am? Handsome?"
And that kind of makes up for the other parts.
middlemuse 1 year ago
@middlemuse q'bien, comadre! thx!
michaelketover 1 year ago
@michaelketover I'm PC Philippines (10-12), and it's a huge relief to know that the stuff I'm dealing with here happens other places too. If everyone in the world were a PC volunteer, this would be viral.
middlemuse 1 year ago
@middlemuse
welcome to being an expat man. I don't know if it is PEace Corps specific. I do know these are the kinds of things first timers to world of expats react. avoiding neighbors? Why? because its hard to communicate and frustrating for you, but to be honest the more you interact the easier it becomes. Living overseas in a different culture, and infrastructure does this to you. But these things are what newly arrived expats feel.
lordblazer 8 months ago
Michael, that you?
Jason Bell
Ecuador
Omnibus 90
trucodios 1 year ago
@trucodios yup, jason, it's me ...
michaelketover 1 year ago
I did the "community development"!
Suriname 06-08
TheSwashbucklr 1 year ago
@TheSwashbucklr me, too!
michaelketover 1 year ago
@michaelketover - you working in the interior? I lived in Paramaribo.
TheSwashbucklr 1 year ago
Hahahaha! Go Peace Corps Mongolia! "Oh, you will go far. You will go far, far away to Mongolia and see what winter is really like." Oh so true.
kittykate2008 1 year ago
@kittykate2008 thanks!!
michaelketover 1 year ago
At least have the nerve to tell people your year and country of service, because Western Russia 1999-2001 was AWESOME and nothing like that (except the laptop part) and I loved my students, and nobody hit their kids their, and the training was fantastic. Peace Corps is what you make of it... what a miserable video. "I was a useless self-pitying expat, and you all will be, too." Fail.
MmeZeeZee 1 year ago
@MmeZeeZee hi, thanks for the note. i served in honduras in the nineties and extended to open a new program in guyana. i've been PC staff overseas and at HQ, too. all the best, michael
michaelketover 1 year ago
@MmeZeeZee
thank you man. A lot of Americans who just never left the country before have these feelings even before they get to go overseas. In fact its what keeps a large majority for ever wanting to go thinking its sooo adventurous of others to do it, but really so many people are taking their degrees, skills, and experience overseas that its become a norm. I think there needs to be a new social class set aside for American professionals whose careers are overseas.
lordblazer 8 months ago
irreverence is bueno
ScottMcNeillArt 1 year ago
@ScottMcNeillArt muchas gracias, compa!
michaelketover 1 year ago