FAQs

Q: Do you know where you'll be living in Jamaica?
A: Nope. Not yet anyway. A PC term consists of 26-27 months, all of it in the PCV's assigned country. The first 2-3 months is training, after which begins the 2 years of "service". For those two years we will be assigned to a specific location and a more specific job. Most PCVs find out this information towards the end of their training. The PC uses the few months of training to better assess where each volunteer would best be placed, looking at things such as how well a PCV is adjusting to the culture, learning the language, and so on. After seeing their PCVs "live and in action", the PC then decides which location would best each individual (or couple). Sooo, that being said, we really have no idea where we will be living in Jamaica, and neither does the PC.

Q: When you say "language training"...well, don't Jamaicans speak English?
A: Yes. English is the official language of Jamaica. However, Jamaicans also speak an English-African Creole language known as Jamaican Patois. Here's an example:

Dah language weh yuh proud a,
Weh yuh honour an respec –
Po Mas Charlie, yuh no know se
Dat it spring from dialec!
—Bans a Killin

Can you translate what it means?