Volunteer Health

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Your Health[edit]

Physical Health[edit]

You are responsible for your health, it is best to try and get a regular routine, minimize alcohol use, and try and get exercise.

Minor Physical Health Issues[edit]


  • Filter your water with the Peace Corps supplied filter.

Major Physical Health Issues[edit]

For major physical health issues call the Peace Corps doctor and get to a clinic or hospital

Mental Health[edit]

Minor Mental Health Issues[edit]

Dealing with homesickness[edit]

The best way to deal with homesickness is to take vacation and go home in visit your family and friends. Good times to vacation include after 1 year and Christmas and New Year.

Integration is also the best way to combat loneliness and being homesick. Many people who go overseas find that the more they find a comfort level with a host family and/or community, the less likely they are to feel isolated and unhappy. Master enough of the language to at least talk with locals, play with kids, and ask where local watering holes are.

IMPORTANT: Be aware that drinking to excess will only make homesickness worse, as Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant.

Other quick tips:

1.Keep a Diary and fill it out, use it to document how you feel, noticing both good and bad experiences. You'll be surprised how this makes feelings less intense.

2. Try and get a fair amount of light in your room. If you don't have a window, try to bring in bright candles, lamps, etc to provide more light.

3.Remind yourself of why you are here, and make a mental checklist of the things you've accomplished ( it may feel like you have accomplished little, but you'll be surprised how much you've actually done).

4. Exercise if you can. I often went walking in town, and did stretches when I could.

Dealing with depression[edit]

Work out - While you may not be able to do the same exercise that you did in the states it always help to do push up and stomach crunches.

Major Mental Health Issues[edit]