I've thought a lot about the Peace Corps as my "after high school plan" instead of going to college (well not completely I want to go after I come back) but it seems like everyone in my area is shoving the idea down all my peers' throats that they have to go to college after high school. I've talked to my mom about all the options that I do have but I definitely have time to think about it. I've thought that maybe the Peace Corps might be good because then I wouldn't have the stress of going to college right away and I could figure out what I really want to do with my life. Have any of you joined the Peace Corps? Where did you go and overall what was your experience? Was it hard being gone from home that long?

Thanks

You think about everything you want to do and then you write it down in order that works best toward your long term goals.
Like what would you want to go to school for?
What would you want to do in the Peace Corp?
Does the Peace Corp offer training that you would get from college anyway or is there some other organization that would better help you pursue your career?
What do you want to do after you graduate as a lifetime career?

If you answer these here maybe we can help you work on a plan.

Never let others influence what you want to do. Many of them are just regretting that they never did something so they want to see that somebody else is living out their passed by dreams.

I totally support you. I wish I had done that, since I was so burned out after h.s. (was 4th in my class of 150). You will travel and see how the world works and get a breath of fresh air outside of school. College will be a lot more meaningful.

I always wished I had joined the Peace Corp but I listened to others saying that girls should be married and settle down (back in the day)
And I ended up marrying and divorcing. I still haven't gotten anything but minimum wage cleaning jobs.
Also many people go to college and can't even get a good job once they get out. So they end up having to pay their college tuition with their pay from the burger joint or where ever.