tiranasaurusrex

Not OP, but it looks like maybe they're not around anymore? I'll answer for Albania, though it might be different in Madagascar.

Most of the people who have those issues seem to have had them before coming here. But yes, some of us do. I had mildish, undiagnosed mental health problems before coming, but I actually find it easier to deal with here because everyone goes through shit here. In other words, I don't beat myself up over feeling bad the way I did back in the states, because I expect the lows. I've seen someone else with more severe mental health problems get worse here, and someone else in my training group was definitely an alcoholic. Thankfully, he went home shortly after we moved to our assignments- thankfully because a) I hope he got treatment and b) because he would have completely turned off a small town to Peace Corps and possibly Americans.

That all said, a lot of volunteers seem to drink a good bit, I think mostly when we're together. I drink more with other PCVs than I did with friends in the States, and less at home. I've found that it's nice to stop stressing as much once in awhile, because this can be a very difficult job.

And then we have a small group of people who don't drink, some because of family alcoholism, allergies, etc. Props to them, too- they do really well given the pervasiveness of alcohol in this culture (especially for men).

Overall though, I'd say the stereotype of the drunk, depressed volunteer is just that here- a stereotype, and not the norm. There's always someone, but usually it seems volunteers here are happy.

Lol, here in Albania they say, "Ha buke" (Eat bread) when they refer to eating anything.

Not OP, but I'm serving in Albania. Yes, I would totally recommend it. Granted, I graduated with a degree that wasn't super marketable, but in my area of the States, the job market generally sucks anyway. I didn't apply for career reasons, but now I'm glad (partially for career reasons) that I'm doing it.

A) It supposedly looks good for employers.

B) You can get non-competitive eligibility, which from my understanding means that if you meet minimum qualifications for a federal job in certain departments, you automatically get an interview. Or something like that. So if your friend was considering federal jobs, it'd be a great idea to get a couple years related experience, then join PC, then apply with the eligibility.

C) Lots of grad schools participate in programs making it easier to either get credit for PC or get better scholarships as a returned PCV.

D) It gives you lots of time to consider your career choices and figure out what you're good at and what you want.

E) It gives you a flexible environment in which to practice the sort of skills you'll use in future jobs.

Unless you have significant (years of) agricultural/forestry experience, you cannot join without a Bachelor's degree.