Does anybody here have any experience with either of these volunteer groups or any other similar in nature?
My parents will absolutely crucify me for even suggesting it, but I’m thinking of spending a couple years doing service work with one of these organizations instead of going straight to grad school. I’ll get my bachelors at the end of this Spring semester.
I have no advice at all, but I want to say I think you would do really awesomely in such a kind of thing. 
Sam, I think it’s wonderful that you are considering something like this. If I’m remembering correctly, Chris Laughlin has done (or is doing) something along these lines. Perhaps you could try contacting him?
Best of luck to you!!
~Ad
I was faced with a similar dilemma when I graduated from college. I was accepted to serve in the Peace Corps in Africa. However, at the same time I learned that I was being offered a full fellowship to attend graduate school. It was a hard decision, but I chose to accept the fellowship for grad school. It was one of the forks in life’s journey where the decision that we make may change our lives completely. I often wonder whether my life today would be different in I had fulfilled the two year term in the Peace Corps.
My advice would be for you to donate two years of your life to one of the two social service organizations that you mentioned. It will be an opportunity for you to be of service to a needy world, but, no doubt, you will gain much more than you give.
Angela’s boyfriend, who I regard as a highly intelligent and discerning individual, is about to leave for a year’s AmeriCorp service. I take this as a good sign. I’ve known a few others who have done it and it’s been a fine experience for them.
Regarding the more general issue, I would very much support your idea of a year of volunteer work. My oldest daughter, Sarah, recently completed a post-graduate volunteer year in the Jesuit Corps. It was a tremendously valuable experience for her. She’s just started grad school at Boston College.
Anyway, good for you and good luck with your decision.
Dale
My oldest brother did several tours with the Peace Corps in both Guatemala and Nicaragua (or El Slavador, maybe). His training was done in Costa Rica. He stated a preference for working in Latin or South America. He has a masters degree in soil chemestry. In Guatemala he was the only member living in a mud floor hut in a tiny village at the top of a mountain whose only access road was actually a dirt or muddy path. He used a motor bike for getting around. The nearest community of any reasonable size was 2 -3 hours away. He worked with the native families in the village, helping them improve their crop production, building a well and making other kinds of improvements to their way of life. He also taught them American games, how to speak English and a little about our culture. In return, they helped him to better understand their culture and way of life. It’s probably been at least 10 years or more since he served in the Peace Corps (total time in was probably 8 - 10 years – in 2 year stints). He was a lot older than most volunteers when he went in, as well as when he got out. When he met a dignatary and said that he was with the Peace Corps they always assumed he was a big wig because of his age. But he never wanted anything to do with administrative work; he always preferred just “working on the hill.”
As I said, he has been out of the Peace Corps for at least 10 years, but for 6 weeks every February - March he goes back to the little village on the hill to visit the friends he made. They seem to regard him as family and look forward to his annual visits. The day after his arrival the village has a party in his honor which goes on late into the night with food, dancing, games and gifts. He spends $200 - $300 dollars on small gifts for the villagers (everyone gets something and no one feels left out) and he also buys a community gift to be shared by the community. Throughout the year he exchanges post cards and letters with some of the folks.
My brother isn’t very wealthy. He makes the trip from Northern Missouri to Guatemala every year by bus. I guess the ride becomes interesting when he gets deep into Mexico and Latin America and changes buses. Many of the locals ride on the roof of the bus with their luggage and crated chickens, while the more affluent passengers ride inside the bus with their luggage and crated chickens. Three days after leaving Missouri, the bus lets him out at the bottom of the hill, and he hikes up the muddy trail to the village – about a 45 minute trek.
Will O’
I spent two years teaching English as a Second Language in Vancouver, B.C. in the capacity of a volunteer; that was the reason I originally moved to B.C., and the reason I stayed on for another 2 years.
If you have the oportunity to give a piece of your life to someone else in the form of service it will change your life forever; you’ll never be able to look at the world in the same way again, not even your home town.
You’ll learn so much about human nature and the way that life operates outside of the little bubble we have here…
I would say GO FOR IT. The chances you’ll regret it are slim to none. Life’s too short to have to look back and wonder what would have happened if you didn’t, and to hell with what your parents say about it.
GOOD LUCK!
Hi Sammy,
I went as far as requesting an application for the Peace Corps at the end of 2003, but ended up going to uni overseas instead. I’d definitely say go for it, and your parents can just deal with it. 
Our younger son spent a year with the NCCC, part of AmeriCorp. The experience was excellent for him, personally and professionally.
Best.
Byll