00:00 This podcast episode is dedicated to explaining how the Peace Corps works.

04:47 The Peace Corps was officially established on March 1st, 1961, after President Kennedy received 25,000 letters of support in response to his proposal.

09:37 The purpose of the Peace Corps is to provide foreign aid in the form of know-how and hands-on assistance, with a mission to help meet the needs of other countries, promote understanding between Americans and the people served, and promote understanding of other cultures.

14:07 The Peace Corps application process is extensive and includes questions about education, criminal history, drinking habits, military service, and financial obligations, among others, in order to weed out potential applicants. If selected, applicants are then interviewed to determine if they are likely to complete their term of service, and questions include topics such as relationships, childhood experiences, and medical conditions.

18:25 The Peace Corps sends volunteers to various countries based on their skills and backgrounds, and while they try to accommodate preferences, volunteers should be prepared to go wherever they are needed.

22:32 Peace Corps volunteers are allowed to bring two bags weighing up to 80 pounds total, and are encouraged to bring items that are not readily available in their assigned country, such as American underwear and rain gear.

26:57 Some Peace Corps volunteers use it as a last resort for employment or an extended spring break, which is seen as a problem by the director, but the Peace Corps does not have a system in place to root out these types of volunteers.

31:23 Peace Corps volunteers receive benefits such as priority hiring for government jobs, but measuring the success of the program is difficult and there have been criticisms of how the Peace Corps handles reports of crime against volunteers, particularly sexual violence.

36:11 The Peace Corps has faced criticisms for its lack of institutional memory and handling of crime against volunteers, including three murders, but the organization claims to prioritize the safety of its volunteers.

41:06 The Peace Corps has been accused of engaging in intelligence fieldwork, although the organization denies any involvement and claims to be separate from intelligence activities.

45:44 The host gives a shoutout to some listeners and mentions their time in the Peace Corps.