Staging and Departure

What to expect prior to departure

You will attend a brief pre-departure orientation in the United States called staging prior to leaving for your Peace Corps assignment.

For many Peace Corps Volunteers, the real beginning of service is the staging event. At this pre-departure event, Trainees (what Volunteers are called at this point) meet other people preparing to serve.

Staging preparations for Peace Corps Volunteers are more extensive than for Peace Corps Response Volunteers, who serve for shorter durations and must have more experience and additional technical and language skills.

30 days prior to departure

For Peace Corps Volunteers, you will receive departure logistics about one month before your staging event. Staging is normally held in a city from which the group then flies overseas.

You and your fellow training class members will gather before departing together for your host country. This could also be your first face-to-face encounter with Peace Corps staff.

For Peace Corps Response Volunteers, you’ll have a pre-departure orientation with Peace Corps post staff about 3-4 weeks before your departure date.

One day prior to departure

You will meet your training class at a staging event. This orientation will be brief, yet detailed, and alert you to the expectations Peace Corps has for all of its Volunteers. It will help prepare you to connect with your host country community and to make an impactful and respectful impression with your post staff.

To attend the staging event, you must be medically and legally cleared. If you are unsure whether you have been cleared for service, please contact your country desk officer.

Come prepared for this orientation by first reading the Peace Corps Global Policy Handbook. Your attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

Once you arrive in-country, you’ll receive three months of training that is facilitated primarily by host country staff.

Peace Corps Response Volunteers do not attend a staging event or orientation.

Instead, you’ll depart directly to your host country from your home of record. Once you arrive, you’ll receive one to two weeks of pre-service training on safety and security, health, and intercultural orientation, as well as some basic language resources.

Note: Please review information about conditions that might lead to the withdrawal of your invitation to serve.