Description
The Peace Corps Volunteer program is often called life-defining by the more than 235,000 Americans who have served. Get the chance to fully integrate into a host country community, where you will live and work on projects ranging from education to business development. Peace Corps Response sends experienced professionals to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments in communities around the world. Bring valuable skills and experiences to projects in places where they are needed most.
In August 2018, Peace Corps was invited to establish a program in Montenegro. At the request of the Government of Montenegro, the program will focus on English Education and Youth Engagement. This program will also be managed and supported primarily by Peace Corps Albania staff in Tirana, Albania. Since Peace Corps will operate in Montenegro as an extension of Peace Corps Albania Post (which has been in operation since 2003), the program is now called “Peace Corps Albania and Montenegro.”
Volunteers selected to serve in Montenegro will depart for service and train with other Volunteers who will serve in Albania. Volunteers will be initially supported by one program staff member based in Podgorica, Montenegro as well as staff based in Tirana, Albania. Medical and training support, as well as overall leadership of the Montenegro program will be provided from Tirana, Albania. Therefore, Volunteers will have to cross borders and travel to Tirana for trainings or medical appointments.
Due to this management and operational structure, Volunteers who serve in Montenegro will require a “pioneer” attitude. Volunteers in this cohort will have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help establish the foundation of the Peace Corps presence in Montenegro. Volunteers should anticipate considerable interest in and attention on their work performance and cultural integration by their Montenegrin colleagues, the Ministry of Education, and the broader public. The highest degree of professionalism will be expected.
Volunteers will mostly be assigned to primary (K-9) schools, although some may be placed in high-schools, and will co-teach with one or more Montenegrin English teacher(s). Volunteers are expected to cooperate and work alongside their teacher counterpart, whether it be for lesson planning or co-teaching in the classroom. In other words, Volunteers are expected to act as members of the teaching staff. This includes arriving to work on time, attending staff meetings, and contributing to a full teaching schedule five days per week.
Volunteers’ work will focus on improving English language skills of students and teachers, and introducing new teaching techniques for teachers. After school hours, Volunteers will cultivate other non-traditional learning events such as English clubs or other activities which promote the speaking of English. The Montenegrin school year runs from September through June with breaks around the end-of-year holidays. Volunteers must adhere to the local school calendar and its holiday schedule as it relates to their primary role. During the summer, Volunteers in Montenegro will implement summer activities in their communities such as summer camps or other student-centered events, engaging in youth development.
Patience, flexibility, and good humor will be essential, as all aspects of the program design, training, and operations will be new. During the first three months of training, Volunteers will receive instruction in Montenegrin or Albanian language and must commit to learning and practicing language skills, as language is an essential element of successful Volunteer service.
Beyond the classroom, Volunteers will work towards Peace Corps goals two and three by living and spending time in their Montenegrin community with their host family and community partners. These goals are of great significance to Peace Corps’ work in Montenegro, especially when considering the United States’ complicated role in the Balkans during the 1990s. Earning the trust of the Montenegrin people will be critical to your success as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
The Peace Corps Volunteer program is often called life-defining by the more than 235,000 Americans who have served. Get the chance to fully integrate into a host country community, where you will live and work on projects ranging from education to business development. Peace Corps Response sends experienced professionals to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments in communities around the world. Bring valuable skills and experiences to projects in places where they are needed most.
In August 2018, Peace Corps was invited to establish a program in Montenegro. At the request of the Government of Montenegro, the program will focus on English Education and Youth Engagement. This program will also be managed and supported primarily by Peace Corps Albania staff in Tirana, Albania. Since Peace Corps will operate in Montenegro as an extension of Peace Corps Albania Post (which has been in operation since 2003), the program is now called “Peace Corps Albania and Montenegro.”
Volunteers selected to serve in Montenegro will depart for service and train with other Volunteers who will serve in Albania. Volunteers will be initially supported by one program staff member based in Podgorica, Montenegro as well as staff based in Tirana, Albania. Medical and training support, as well as overall leadership of the Montenegro program will be provided from Tirana, Albania. Therefore, Volunteers will have to cross borders and travel to Tirana for trainings or medical appointments.
Due to this management and operational structure, Volunteers who serve in Montenegro will require a “pioneer” attitude. Volunteers in this cohort will have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help establish the foundation of the Peace Corps presence in Montenegro. Volunteers should anticipate considerable interest in and attention on their work performance and cultural integration by their Montenegrin colleagues, the Ministry of Education, and the broader public. The highest degree of professionalism will be expected.
Volunteers will mostly be assigned to primary (K-9) schools, although some may be placed in high-schools, and will co-teach with one or more Montenegrin English teacher(s). Volunteers are expected to cooperate and work alongside their teacher counterpart, whether it be for lesson planning or co-teaching in the classroom. In other words, Volunteers are expected to act as members of the teaching staff. This includes arriving to work on time, attending staff meetings, and contributing to a full teaching schedule five days per week.
Volunteers’ work will focus on improving English language skills of students and teachers, and introducing new teaching techniques for teachers. After school hours, Volunteers will cultivate other non-traditional learning events such as English clubs or other activities which promote the speaking of English. The Montenegrin school year runs from September through June with breaks around the end-of-year holidays. Volunteers must adhere to the local school calendar and its holiday schedule as it relates to their primary role. During the summer, Volunteers in Montenegro will implement summer activities in their communities such as summer camps or other student-centered events, engaging in youth development.
Patience, flexibility, and good humor will be essential, as all aspects of the program design, training, and operations will be new. During the first three months of training, Volunteers will receive instruction in Montenegrin or Albanian language and must commit to learning and practicing language skills, as language is an essential element of successful Volunteer service.
Beyond the classroom, Volunteers will work towards Peace Corps goals two and three by living and spending time in their Montenegrin community with their host family and community partners. These goals are of great significance to Peace Corps’ work in Montenegro, especially when considering the United States’ complicated role in the Balkans during the 1990s. Earning the trust of the Montenegrin people will be critical to your success as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
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Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Stipend, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Education Requirements
College Graduate
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Subject to criminal background check