The Peace Corps is a service opportunity in which motivated change-makers collaborate with local communities abroad to tackle critical challenges. Volunteers live and work in communities around the world, often in remote areas, gaining invaluable experience along the way. As a result, they bring back to the United States expanded world views and cross-cultural skills that are highly sought after by employers. Driven by the agencys mission to promote world peace and friendship, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries since 1961. Volunteering with the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers Volunteers the opportunity to travel to a community abroad and make a difference.