THE PEACE CORPS | ALBANIA WELCOME BOOK | NOVEMBER 2013

November 2013 CCD
THE PEACE CORPS | ALBANIA WELCOME BOOK | NOVEMBER 2013
THE PEACE CORPS | ALBANIA WELCOME BOOK | NOVEMBER 2013

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WELCOME LETTER

Congratulations on your invitation to become a Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania. Serving as a Volunteer will be one of the 

most challenging experiences of your life and will be as rewarding as you make it. 

The Peace Corps arrived in Albania in March 2003 to re-open Peace Corps/Albania, and the first group of Volunteers arrived in 

September 2003. Yours is still among the initial groups of Volunteers that are helping to rebuild a quality Peace Corps program 

in a country struggling to throw off the legacy of an authoritarian and isolationist regime and to reconcile old and strong cultural 

traditions with modern Europe. 

If you come with an open mind, a warm heart, lots of patience and flexibility, and a good sense of humor, you will do well.

The country’s greatest needs are in rural areas, and the Peace Corps works in towns and villages throughout most of the 

districts. Being in such areas means that your ability to learn and use the Albanian language and adapt to local cultures and 

lifestyles will be critical to your success and satisfaction.

Housing is scarce in Albania and your continual safety and security is paramount. To integrate these realities into a site that 

combines meaningful work opportunities and risk mitigation, you will live with an Albanian family throughout pre-service 

training. After training you may live independently. 

Peace Corps/Albania works to make site assignments on the basis of matching your skills and knowledge with the needs of a 

particular organization and community, not on the basis of your personal preferences, and you may be placed anywhere in the 

country.

Please think about all of these things carefully before you accept our invitation to Albania. You should be sure that being a 

Volunteer in a country of stark contrasts and tremendous challenges is right for you at this point in your life.

Upon arrival in Albania, you will begin 10 weeks of intensive training in language, culture, technical skills, health, and safety 

and security. You will spend most of the training period as part of a small group of trainees, living in the same small town. Your 

group will get together with the other trainees at a central site for one or two days a week. Pre-service training provides a strong 

foundation for service and requires your full participation.

The Peace Corps/Albania team looks forward to working with you in further developing a high-quality, safe and secure Peace 

Corps program in this historically rich part of the world. The Albanian people are eager to have you come and share in this 

vision to build a better future with the three goals of the Peace Corps that have stood the test of time for the past 50-some years. 

Let’s continue to build upon that history by renewing our commitment to the Peace Corps in promoting friendship, peace, 

progress, and a brighter future for Albania and the global community.

Earl Wall, Country Director
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CONTENTS

A WELCOME LETTER........................................................................................................................ 1

CONTENTS........................................................................................................................................ 2

CORE EXPECTATIONSFOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.................................................................. 4

PEACE CORPS/ALBANIA HISTORY AND PROGRAMS ...................................................................... 5

History of the Peace Corps in Albania.............................................................................................. 5

History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Albania........................................................... 5

COUNTRY OVERVIEW: ALBANIA AT A GLANCE .............................................................................. 6

History.............................................................................................................................................. 6

Economy........................................................................................................................................... 6

People and Culture........................................................................................................................... 7

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................... 8

General Information About Albania................................................................................................. 8

Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees.................................................................. 8

Online Articles/Current News Sites About Albania.......................................................................... 8

International Development Sites About Albania ............................................................................. 9

Recommended Books.................................................................................................................... 10

Books About Albanbia.................................................................................................................... 11

Books About the Volunteer Experience..................................................................................................11

LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE........................................................................ 12

Communications............................................................................................................................ 12

Living Allowance and Money Management................................................................................... 13

Transportation ............................................................................................................................... 13

Geography and Climate ................................................................................................................. 13

Social Activities .............................................................................................................................. 13

Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior............................................................................................ 14

Personal Safety .............................................................................................................................. 14

Rewards and Frustrations.............................................................................................................. 15

PEACE CORPS TRAINING................................................................................................................ 16

Overview of Pre-Service Training................................................................................................... 16

Additional Trainings During Volunteer Service.............................................................................. 17

YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY IN ALBANIA ............................................................................ 20

Health Issues in Albania ................................................................................................................. 20

Maintaining Your Health................................................................................................................ 20

Health Issues in Albania ................................................................................................................. 20

Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist.......................................................................................... 22

Safety and Security in Depth.......................................................................................................... 23

Staying Safe: Don’t Be a Target for Crime...................................................................................... 25

Support from Staff ......................................................................................................................... 26

DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES ................................................................................... 27

Overview of Diversity in Albania.................................................................................................... 27

What Might a Volunteer Face? ...................................................................................................... 27

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.................................................................................................. 30

WELCOME LETTERS FROM ALBANIA VOLUNTEERS...................................................................... 34

PACKING LIST................................................................................................................................. 39

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST.......................................................................................................... 41

Family............................................................................................................................................. 41

Passport/Travel.............................................................................................................................. 41
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Medical/Health .............................................................................................................................. 41

Insurance........................................................................................................................................ 41

Personal Papers.............................................................................................................................. 41

Voting............................................................................................................................................. 41

Personal Effects.............................................................................................................................. 42

Financial Management................................................................................................................... 42

CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS.............................................................................. 43
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CORE EXPECTATIONS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and 

Volunteer, you are expected to do the following:

1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve abroad for a full term of 27 

months

2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and work and, in doing so, 

share your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed

3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship if necessary, and with the 

flexibility needed for effective service

4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and 

confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and 

culture

5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your personal conduct and 

professional performance

6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning, and respect

7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the country 

where you serve

8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and well-being and that of 

others

9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the 

people, cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America

10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host country and community 

to people in the United States both during and following your service
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PEACE CORPS/ALBANIA HISTORY AND PROGRAMS

History of the Peace Corps in Albania

Albania began the transition to a democratic, open-market nation later than the other Balkan states did. Former Communist 

leader Enver Hoxha headed an isolationist and authoritarian regime from 1944 until his death in 1985, and it was not until 

March 1991 that Albania and the United States reestablished diplomatic relations (after a 35-year break). The Albanian 

government invited the Peace Corps into the country soon after, and the first group of 21 Volunteers arrived in June 1992 to 

begin teaching English at secondary schools and universities. The Peace Corps program was expanded with a small business 

development project, whose first group of 12 Volunteers arrived in April 1993. The program expanded again in 1995 with the 

addition of 15 Volunteers for an agro-forestry project. A new group of Volunteers was scheduled to arrive in February 1997, but 

a breakdown in civil order and public safety precipitated by the collapse of fraudulent pyramid savings schemes led to closure 

of the post and evacuation of all Peace Corps Volunteers and U.S. staff in March 1997. At the time of the evacuation, 73 

Volunteers were serving in the three Peace Corps projects.

In March 2003, Peace Corps returned to Albania. Thirty-two Volunteers arrived in the country in September 2003 to begin 

training for a community development project and another 29 arrived in March 2004 to begin training for English education and

health education projects. Those first two groups established the three projects that are now operating.

History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Albania

Volunteers serving in the English education project teach primarily in high schools throughout the country. The group that 

arrived in March 2006 included the first English educators to be placed at the university level and secondary schools of foreign 

languages.

The health education project is linked to the Albanian health system through Directorates of Public Health and at the rural 

health center level. Volunteers work with their colleagues to identify priority health education issues. They help design and

deliver campaigns and training on health issues often using a calendar developed by the Institute of Public Health. To respond 

to changes in the institutional environment and local communities, Peace Corps/Albania continues to refine project structures 

and Volunteer roles. Projects strive to move Volunteers into smaller towns and villages to serve the communities that receive 

less outside attention, and where Volunteers can have the greatest impact.
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COUNTRY OVERVIEW: ALBANIA AT A GLANCE

History

Albanians are descendants of the ancient Illyrians, and their history can be traced back to the Bronze Age in about 2000 B.C.

Their name comes from the Albanoi tribe of Illyrians, and their language forms its own branch of the Indo-European language 

phylum, a group also containing the Slavic, Celtic, Germanic, and Romance languages. The history of Albania is one of 

occupation, including periods of administration or rule by Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and 

the Ottoman Empire—the latter beginning in the 14th century and continuing until 1912. The modern borders of Albania were 

drawn by the European powers during the First Balkan War in 1912, and excluded about half the former Albanian lands and 3 

million Albanians. Albania had a brief period of independence from 1912–39, after which it was occupied by the Italians.

During World War II, the Germans replaced the Italians and a resistance movement began under the leadership of Enver Hoxha. 

In the aftermath of the war, Hoxha and his supporters took over the country and established a socialist republic. Foreigners were 

expelled and their assets nationalized, churches and mosques were closed, and agriculture and industry were collectivized. 

Hoxha was a doctrinaire Stalinist who broke away from Marshal Tito and Yugoslavia in 1948; from the Soviet Union in 1960

and from China in 1978, when China established diplomatic relations with the United States.

All outside assistance ended in 1978. Until his death in 1985, Hoxha made Albania one of the most isolated and repressed 

countries in the world. Hoxha had 700,000 reinforced-concrete bunkers built throughout the country to defend against a multifront attack, each equal in cost to a two-bedroom apartment. Albania was the last country in Central and Eastern Europe to be 

caught up in the collapse of Communism, introducing its first cautious reforms in 1990. Even after his death in 1985, Hoxha’s 

successors in the Communist Party continued to govern the country until elections in March 1992.

The period from the 1992 election victory by the opposition Democratic Party (DP) to the current day has been challenging and 

often tumultuous. The DP’s Sali Berisha governed the country from April 1992 until mid-July 1997, when the Socialist Party’s 

Fatos Nano formed a new government. Manic investment in a number of pyramid schemes marked the period from February 

1996 to February 1997. When the pyramid schemes began to fail in late 1996, demonstrations erupted and soon turned violent; 

Peace Corps evacuated its 73 Volunteers in March 1997. 

During spring and summer of 1999, Albania sheltered over 450,000 Kosovar Albanians, fleeing Kosovo to avoid the actions of 

Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic’s regime and the dangers of the NATO action against it. 

Recent elections (parliamentarian and local) were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and were judged to represent some 

progress toward meeting democratic standards. Currently, a DP-led coalition is governing after the 2009 election. Albania was 

accepted into NATO in 2009 and is looking to join the European Union in the next several years. Relatively smooth

parliamentary elections in June 2013 have Albanians optimistic that their political institutions are progressing. 

Government

Albania is a republic with a multiparty, unicameral parliament, the Kuvendi Popullor. The parliament has 140 members. The 

parliament elects the president, a largely ceremonial office. The majority party in the parliamentary election chooses the prime 

minister. There is universal suffrage for citizens 18 years of age and older. A 2000 law on decentralization transferred many

responsibilities from the national government to local governments and these entities have slowly become responsible for 

providing most public services to their citizens. 

. 

Economy

Albania is making the difficult transition to an open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth averaging at 6 percent (2004–08) 

declined 3 percent from 2009–11 and 0.5 percent in 2012. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and 

adopted fiscal reform aimed at reducing a large gray (or underground) economy and attracting foreign investment. The annual 

remittances from ex-pat Albanians—mostly residing in Greece and Italy—decreased significantly from 15 percent of GDP after 

the global crisis. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment, is limited primarily to small family 

farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land.
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People and Culture

The population residing in Albania is about 2.82 million (2012 census), with as many as 800,000 living in Tirana, the capital. 

Only a few cities have populations over 75,000. The population for the most part is ethnically homogenous, with small ethnic 

Greek minority, Macedonians, Roma, Montenegrins, and Vlachs. More than 2 million ethnic Albanians live in Kosovo and the 

western portion of Macedonia.

From 1967–90, Albania banned all religious practices and was the only officially atheist state in the world. As of 2012 census,

Albania is 56.7 percent Muslim, 10.03 percent Catholic, 6.75 percent Orthodox, 2.09 percent Bektashi, 5.49 percent undefined 

believers, 2.5 percent atheist and 0.14 percent evangelical Christians. 

Albania has preserved many of its cultural traditions and customs. Traditional dress is seen in many rural areas, especially 

among the older generation. Younger Albanians have adopted Western fashions for the most part. Indigenous Albanian music in 

the north recounts heroic epics and ballads on the themes of honor and vengeance. The southern Albanian tradition of 

polyphony (music with independent, simultaneous melodies) dates from Illyrian times.

Families, usually led by a patriarch, rely on the active participation of all members to help supply basic commodities and 

foodstuffs. Albanians identify with and support their families, first and foremost.

Environment

Albania has a narrow coastal plain and a mostly mountainous interior (about 36 percent forested). The country generally has 

hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. About 40 percent of yearly rainfall occurs during winter, while the higher elevations 

are very cold with deep snow. A few large lakes stretch along the country’s borders with Montenegro in the north and 

Macedonia and Greece in the southeast. Albania has six national forests, 24 nature reserves, and 2,000 natural monuments. 

Because nearly all raw sewage flows into rivers untreated and there is very poor management of solid wastes, environmental 

pollution is a major concern. 
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RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Following is a list of websites for additional information about the Peace Corps and Albania and to connect you to returned 

Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although we try to make sure all these links are active and current, we 

cannot guarantee it. If you do not have access to the Internet, visit your local library. Libraries offer free Internet usage and 

often let you print information to take home.

A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which people are free 

to express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own experience, including comments by those who were unhappy 

with their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not those of the Peace Corps or the U.S. government, and we

hope you will keep in mind that no two people experience their service in the same way.

General Information About Albania

www.countrywatch.com/

On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the capital Tirana to how to convert from the dollar to the Albanian

lek. Just click on Albania and go from there.

www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations

Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.

www.state.gov

The Department of State’s website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world. Find Albania and 

learn more about its social and political history. You can also go to the site’s international travel section to check on conditions 

that may affect your safety.

www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm

This online world atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to other sites, such as 

the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social, and political background.

Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees

www.rpcv.org

This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to all 

the Web pages of the “Friends of” groups for most countries of service, comprised of former Volunteers who served in those 

countries. There are also regional groups that frequently get together for social events and local volunteer activities. 

www.PeaceCorpsWorldwide.org

This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer accounts 

of their Peace Corps service.

Online Articles/Current News Sites About Albania

http://www.president.al

This news site is about the Albanian president in both English and Albanian (Shqip).

http://www.balkanweb.com
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This site covers different countries in the Balkan region, including Albania, in both English and Albanian.

www.onlinenewspapers.com/albania.htm

This website provides links to online newspapers covering Albania.

http://www.tiranatimes.com/

The site contains news, commentary, and analysis on Albania.

www.oneworld.net

This link provides links to news about Albania and the region. 

www.shqiperia.com

This site contains information on Albanian culture, art, current events, news, history, trading, food, and an extensive photo 

album with pictures from all over Albania. This site is in Albanian.

http://praguemonitor.com/2009/09/10/do-it-getting-there-here

The link leads you at an article about Albania.

International Development Sites About Albania

www.usaid.gov/regions/europe_eurasia/countries/al/index.html

Information about the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Albania.

www.undp.org.al

The United Nations Development Programme in Albania.

www.ebrd.com

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

www.rec.org

Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe

www.soros.org

The Open Society Institute is a private operating and grant-making foundation that serves as the hub of the Soros Foundations 

Network, a group of autonomous foundations and organizations in more than 50 countries.

www.unesco.org

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

www.iom.int

International Organization for Migration

www.worldbank.org

Recommended Books About Albania
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It can be difficult to find texts specifically about Albania, but because its history and culture are intrinsically bound with 

Balkans history, other books about the Balkans will provide insight into Albania.

1. Biberaj, Elez. “Albania in Transition: the Rocky Road to Democracy” (Nations of the World Series). Boulder, Colo.: 

Westwood Press, 1998 (hardback), 1999 (paperback). 

2. Biberaj, Elez. “Albania: A Socialist Maverick.” Boulder, Colo.: Westwood Press, 1990. 

3. Carver, Robert. “The Accursed Mountains.” London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., 2000 (paperback).

4. Durham, Edith. “High Albania: A Victorian Traveler’s Balkan Odyssey.” London: Phoenix Press, 2000 (paperback).

5. Fonesca, Isabel. “Bury Me Standing: The Gypsies and Their Journey.” New York: Vintage Books, 1996 (paperback). 

6. Glenny, Misha. “The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804-1999.” New York: Penguin, 2000 

(paperback).

7. Gloyer, Gillian. “Albania, 2nd: The Bradt Travel Guide,” 2006.

8. Jones, Lloyd. “Biografi: An Albanian Quest.” New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1994.

9. Kadare, Ismail. “Albanian Spring.” London: Saqi Books, 2001 (paperback).

10. Kaplan, Robert. “Balkan Ghosts: A Journey through History.” New York: Vintage Books, 1994 (paperback).

11. Karklins, Rasma. “The System Made Me Do It: Corruption in Post-Communist Societies.” Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe 

Inc., 2005.

12. Olsen, Neil and Rhodri Jones. “Albania.”(Oxfam Country Profile Series). London: Oxfam Publishing, 2000 

(paperback).

13. Pettifer, James. “Blue Guide: Albania and Kosovo.” New York: W.W. Norton, 2001 (paperback).

14. Schwandner-Sievers, Stephanie and Bernd Jurgen Fischer. “Albanian Identities: Myth and History.” Bloomington, Ind.: 

Indiana University Press, 2002 (paperback).

15. Vickers, Miranda. “The Albanians: A Modern History” (revised edition). London: I.B. Tauris, 2001 (paperback).

16. Vickers, Miranda and Pettifer, James. “Albania: From Anarchy to Balkan Identity.” New York: New York University 

Press, 2000 (paperback). 

17. West, Rebecca. “Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey through Yugoslavia.” New York: Penguin Books, 1995 

(paperback).

18. Wilkes, John. “The Illyrians” (People of Europe Series). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1995 (paperback).

Books About the History of the Peace Corps

1. Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. “All You Need is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s.” Cambridge, Mass.: 

Harvard University Press, 2000.

2. Rice, Gerald T. “The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps.” Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.

3. Stossel, Scott. “Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver.” Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2004.

4. Meisler, Stanley. “When the World Calls: The Inside Story of the Peace Corps and Its First 50 Years.” Boston: Beacon 

Press, 2011.
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Books on the Volunteer Experience

1. Dirlam, Sharon. “Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place.” Santa Barbara, Calif.: McSeas Books, 2004.

2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. “Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience.” Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red Apple 

Publishing, 2000.

3. Erdman, Sarah. “Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village.” New York, N.Y.: Picador, 

2003.

4. Hessler, Peter. “River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.” New York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.

5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. “From the Center of the Earth: Stories Out of the Peace Corps.” Santa Monica, Calif.: Clover 

Park Press, 1991.

6. Thomsen, Moritz. “Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle.” Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997 (reprint).
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LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE 

Communications

Mail

International mail to and from Albania has improved a lot in the past years. In the past, both letters and packages have been 

opened in transit and valuable items taken. Packages are usually held by post office officials until you pay a small customs fee. 

Letters and packages from the United States can take two to three weeks to arrive, while packages can take anywhere from two

to six weeks.

Before you leave for Albania, the Peace Corps will send you a mailing address that you can use for letter mail during your first 

10 weeks in-country—the period of pre-service training. Once you have been sworn in as a Volunteer and move to your site, 

you will have your own address for mail. Packages cannot be received at the Peace Corps/Albania office address at any time 

during your service. 

Telephones

Although expensive, direct dialing is available in many sites and from cellphones. Cellphone service is available. Do not expect 

to use phones like you do in America: conversations are short and texts used as a substitute. Calls from family and friends to a 

cellphone in Albania may be the best way for you to keep in contact. Additionally, using the Internet to call is often the best 

alternative. Albania uses the standard European GSM cellular system, so most U.S. cellphones will not work in the country. If, 

however, you have a SIM card phone in America, it is worth it to have it unlocked by your carrier for international use.

The Peace Corps gives all trainees a cellphone upon arrival, and monthly allowance for emergency calls. You can receive 

international calls at no charge.

Computer, Internet, and Email Access

For your personal laptop, the Peace Corps does not provide email accounts or technical and repair support for Volunteers. 

Insurance is recommended, but not required, for your computer and other electronic gear.

Almost all PCVs have an Internet cafe close by. That said, there is also no guarantee that the Internet will be available in your 

assigned town or agency. You may not have the access that you may be used to, so you will have to adjust. If you already own a 

laptop, you are advised to bring it. Volunteers also find that a USB flash drive and/or an external hard drive are very useful. The 

Peace Corps does not provide computer support, nor will it replace damaged or stolen computers. Insurance is readily available 

through a homeowner’s policy or through personal property insurance, and the Peace Corps will provide you with an 

application for such insurance before you leave for Albania.

Housing and Site Location

Upon arrival in Albania, all trainees stay three days at a hotel in the city of Elbasan. During these days, Peace Corps will assign 

you to a training site where you will live during pre-service training (PST) with a host family. The training site is located 

outside of Elbasan, and there will be four to six other trainees living in your village. Together, you will have language, culture,

and technical classes.

Before you complete PST, you will be assigned to your permanent site in Albania where you will serve the remaining two years 

of your term. Permanent sites are decided based on your skills and knowledge and the needs of a particular community or 

organization. These sites may be located anywhere except the capital city of Tirana, and are often smaller villages that have 

greater need for Peace Corps Volunteers. Currently, most Volunteers live in independent housing at their permanent sites. All 

housing must meet Peace Corps safety and security criteria, as well as cost limitations regarding rent, and will be checked and 

approved by a Peace Corps staff before you move in.
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Living Allowance and Money Management

The Peace Corps will provide you with a monthly living allowance in Albanian lek for food, recreation, entertainment, and a

very limited amount of replacement clothing, local transportation, and other incidentals. The Peace Corps expects you to live 

within the modest standards that most Albanians do. 

It is challenging to explain that you are a Volunteer serving while living on limited means, but this is part of the essence of 

Volunteer experience.

The Peace Corps discourages the use of personal money to supplement living allowance. Albania is mainly a cash economy,

with no personal checks for payment and limited use of credit cards. ATMs are available, enabling access to local banks, and 

certain accounts in U.S. banks. There will be ATM in or near your site. 

It is advisable to leave some money in your U.S. bank account to access via ATMs in euros or dollars for vacation travel. 

Traveler’s checks and credit cards are also an option for vacation travel outside of Albania. If you decide to bring your 

bank/personal debit/ATM card, be sure you notify your bank that you will be living overseas and inform them of the possible 

countries you may be visiting while living as a volunteer. Otherwise, the bank will likely reject your attempts to withdrawal

cash. 

Food and Diet

The availability of some vegetables and fruits in Albania is seasonal, but prices for locally grown produce are low. Imported

produce is usually available year round at higher prices. Local produce in summer is wonderful in Albania. Salt, sugar, rice, 

flour, eggs, cooking oil, pasta, long-life milk, and other basic items are readily available and are of good quality. Fresh meat 

presents a problem, as inspections and refrigeration are minimal. During PST you can learn how to find and cook local foods. In 

winter in some areas, only potatoes, cabbages, leeks, onions, oranges, carrots, apples, bananas, and rice or pasta may be readily 

available. Vegetarians will have to be tactful, as many Albanian families will not know what it means to be a vegetarian and 

will want to serve you meat as an honored guest. Albanians do not use many spices in their cooking, so you may want to bring a 

supply of your favorite spices and recipes as well as collect them throughout your travels to neighboring cities and other 

countries.

Transportation

Travel in Albania is an adventure, and often a very slow one. Buses may be crowded and unreliable, and roads in poor condition 

are made more dangerous by the chaotic mix of vehicular, pedestrian, and animal traffic. Train service is limited to a few areas 

and is very poor. Most travel is by bus and mini-bus, but some private cars and vans operate as taxi services among towns and 

villages. There were virtually no private cars in Albania before 1992, and Albanian drivers are learning as they go. You will 

have to take delays and detours into account when planning your trips and travel with a trusted companion when possible to 

help ensure your safety. The difficulties of travel are a good incentive for staying at your site and becoming part of the local 

community. Traffic accidents are one of the highest probable risks here. To mitigate that risk, Peace Corps/Albania has a 

transportation policy that you will need to learn and follow. 

Geography and Climate

Albania is located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, across the Adriatic and Ionian seas from Italy. It is bordered 

by Montenegro and Kosovo to the north, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the southeast and south. It is a small, 

mountainous country with a narrow coastal plain. The climate is Mediterranean in much of the country, with four distinct 

seasons, though the rugged and broken mountains help create microclimates. Summers tend to be quite hot and dry while

winters are very damp and cold in all parts of the country, including coastal areas. Winters can be very severe in the higher 

elevations, with snow on the ground throughout the winter. Layering your clothing is the best way to deal with the variable 

weather.
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Social Activities

In the summer, the major source of entertainment in most towns is a daily promenade of men and women up and down the main 

street where they socialize with friends and acquaintances. In winter, entertainment comes primarily from visiting the homes of 

friends and you will rarely find people outside once the sun goes down. Additionally, there are interesting historical and 

archaeological sites throughout the country to visit. You will most likely depend on your friends and your own creativity for 

most of your social activities.

When men and women are seen socializing together, locals assume they are married, engaged, or part of the same family. Male 

Volunteers will be freer to socialize in pubs and cafes than female Volunteers, particularly after dark. Female Volunteers who 

smoke or consume alcohol in public may be compromising their reputations and those of their host families, as well as their 

own safety. Ultimately, how you interact with your community is a choice; many female Volunteers do not feel confined by 

these conventions while others do.

Volunteers should expect limited opportunities for dating and that their dating will be publicly scrutinized. Just as Volunteers 

are embraced and protected by host families as family members, their actions and public behaviors are also considered to reflect 

on the honor and respect of the family, as would those of any family member. Volunteers must accept and conform to this 

reality to successfully integrate into the local culture.

Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior

One of the difficulties of finding your place as a Peace Corps Volunteer is fitting into the local culture while maintaining your 

own cultural identity and acting as a professional, all at the same time. It is not an easy thing to do. You will be working in a 

professional capacity and will be expected to dress and behave accordingly. Stylish business casual is acceptable in most 

situations. Albanians dress in their fashionable best in public even if the clothes are worn. A foreigner who wears ragged or 

unkempt clothing is likely to be considered an affront. Although you must dress professionally for work, away from the office

you can wear shorts, T-shirts, or casual clothing at your home.

Body piercing and tattoos are not common in professional settings in Albania. Peace Corps/Albania requires Volunteers to 

remove facial piercings through PST and for an adequate amount of time during the beginning of service as Volunteers

(earrings in women are allowed). Peace Corps/Albania also asks that you cover tattoos as much as possible during PST and 

when you get to your site. This will allow time for you to be introduced and acclimate to your community. You will need to

decide when to begin wearing your facial piercings based on the climate of your individual community and workplace. This 

decision should be based on the premise that Volunteers should aim to exemplify professionalism and respect for their 

communities at all times. Current Volunteers recommend that incoming trainees wear clear retainer jewelry during PST and for 

the first several months at their permanent sites while they acclimate and integrate into their respective community. 

Personal Safety

More detailed information about the Peace Corps’ approach to safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety section, but it is 

an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer 

entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment (oftentimes alone), having a limited 

understanding of local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at 

risk. Many Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not 

uncommon, and incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most Albania Volunteers complete their two years 

of service without incident. The Peace Corps has established procedures and policies designed to help you reduce your risks and 

enhance your safety and security. These procedures and policies, in addition to safety training, will be provided once you arrive 

in Albania. Using these tools, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety and well-being.

Each staff member at the Peace Corps is committed to providing Volunteers with the support they need to successfully meet the 

challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive service. Volunteers and families are encouraged to look at the 

safety and security information on the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov/safety.

Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health and safety. There is a section titled Safety and Security in 

Depth. Among topics addressed are the risks of serving as a Volunteer, posts’ safety support systems, and emergency planning 

and communications.
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Rewards and Frustrations

The Peace Corps experience is sometimes described as a series of emotional peaks and valleys that occur as you adapt to a new 

culture and environment. The potential for being productive and satisfied with your service is high, but so is the probability of 

being frustrated. 

Here are a few things to remember:

 Your organization may not always provide the support you want, or it may not be sure about what it wants you to do. 

 Living with a family in close quarters may be quite challenging. 

 The pace of life and work may be different from what you expect, and many people will be hesitant about changing 

age-old practices. 

In addition, you will have a high degree of responsibility and independence—perhaps more than in any other job you have had. 

You will be in situations that require an ability to motivate yourself and your colleagues with little support or guidance from 

supervisors. You may work for lengthy periods without seeing any visible impact and without receiving any supportive 

feedback. Development is a slow process, and you must possess the self-confidence, patience, and vision to continue working 

toward long-term goals without seeing immediate results.

Albanians are hospitable, friendly, and warm, and Peace Corps staff members, your co-workers, your community members, and 

fellow Volunteers will support you during times of challenge as well as moments of success. 

With maturity, flexibility, open-mindedness, and resourcefulness approach you may overcome difficulties and contribute to the 

overall mission of the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
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PEACE CORPS TRAINING

Overview of Pre-Service Training

The Peace Corps uses a competency-based training approach throughout the continuum of learning, supporting you from 

arrival in Albania to your departure. Pre-service training (PST) is the first event within this continuum of learning and

ensures that you are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively perform your job. Pre-service 

training is conducted in Albania by Peace Corps staff, most of whom are locally hired trainers. Peace Corps staff measure 

achievement of learning and determine if you have successfully achieved competencies, including language standards, for 

swearing-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Peace Corps training incorporates widely accepted principles of adult learning and is structured around the experiential 

learning cycle. Successful training results in competence in various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety 

and security areas.

Integrating into the community is one of the core competencies you will strive to achieve both in PST and during the first 

several months of service. Successful sustainable development work is based on the relationships you build by 

respectfully integrating into the host country community and culture. 

You will be prepared for this through a homestay experience, which often requires trainees to live with host families 

during PST. Integration into the community fosters language and cross-cultural learning and ensures your health, safety, 

and security.

Pre-service training (PST) is the first event within a competency-based training program that continues throughout your 27 

months of service in Albania. Pre-service training ensures that Volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes 

to effectively perform their jobs.

Pre-service training is conducted in Albania and directed by the Peace Corps with participation from representatives of 

Albanian organizations, Volunteers, and/or training contractors. The length of pre-service training varies, usually 10 weeks in 

Albania, depending on the competencies required for the assignment. Peace Corps/Albania measures achievement of learning 

and determines if trainees have successfully achieved competencies, including language standards, for swearing in as a Peace 

Corps Volunteer. Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance competencies. Initially, pre-service training

affords the opportunity for trainees to develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play an active role in selfeducation. You will be asked to decide how best to set and meet objectives and to find alternative solutions. You will be asked 

to prepare for an experience in which you will often have to take the initiative and accept responsibility for decisions. The 

success of your learning will be enhanced by your own effort to take responsibility for your learning and through sharing 

experiences with others.

Peace Corps training is founded on adult learning methods and often includes experiential “hands-on” applications such as 

conducting a participatory community needs assessment and facilitating groups. Successful training results in competence in 

various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety and security areas. Integrating into the community is usually one 

of the core competencies Volunteers strive to achieve both in pre-service training and during the first several months of service. 

Successful sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence Volunteers build by living in, and 

respectfully integrating into, the Albanian community and culture. Trainees are prepared for this through a homestay

experience, which requires trainees to live with host families during pre-service training. Integration into the community not 

only facilitates good working relationships, but it fosters language learning and cross-cultural acceptance and trust, which help 

ensure your health, safety, and security.

Woven into the competencies, the ability to communicate in the host country language is critical to being an effective Peace 

Corps Volunteer. So basic is this precept that it is spelled out in the Peace Corps Act: No person shall be assigned to duty as a 

Volunteer under this act in any foreign country or area unless at the time of such assignment he (or she) possesses such 

reasonable proficiency as his (or her) assignment requires in speaking the language of the country or area to which he (or she) is 

assigned.
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Peace Corps/Albania’s competencies are designed to be accomplished throughout the Volunteer’s 27 months of learning. A 

trainee may not be able to complete all learning objectives for a competency during pre-service training; however, he or she 

must show adequate progress toward achieving the competencies in order to become a Volunteer1

Peace Corps/Albania’s competencies include the following:

Core Competency 1: Integrate successfully into the community

Core Competency 2: Commit to professionalism and a spirit of service that supports the mission and goals of the Peace Corps

Core Competency 3: Build capacity of community members

Core Competency 4: Commit to safety and maintaining well-being in Albania

TEFL Sector Competency: Transfer English language teaching skills and knowledge to local teachers and students

CD Sector Competency: Develop host organization’s capacity to address local needs

Health Sector: Meet the health needs of your community through life-skills development

Evaluation of your performance throughout service is a continual process, as Volunteers are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days 

a week for personal conduct and professional performance. Successful completion of pre-service training is characterized by 

achieving a set of learning objectives to determine competence. Failure to meet any of the selection standards by the completion 

of training may be grounds for a withdrawal of selection and disqualification from Peace Corps service.

Progress in one’s own learning is a dialogue between you and the training staff. All of the training staff—including the training 

manager (PST director), and the language, technical, medical, safety and security, and cross-cultural trainers—will work with 

you toward the highest possible competencies by providing you with feedback on learning objective performance throughout 

training. After reviewing and observing your performance, the country director will make the final decision on whether you are

qualified to serve as a Volunteer in the host country.

Upon successful completion of training, trainees who qualify for Peace Corps service are required by law to swear or affirm an 

oath of loyalty to the United States; this cannot be waived under any circumstances. The text of the oath is provided below. If 

you have any questions about the wording or meaning of the oath, consult a staff member during training.

I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America 

against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation freely, and without any mental reservation or purpose of 

evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps.

The pre-service training experience provides an opportunity not only for the Peace Corps to assess a trainee’s competence, but 

for trainees to re-evaluate their commitment to serve for 27 months to improve the quality of life of the people with whom 

Volunteers live and work and, in doing so, develop new knowledge, skills, and attitudes while adapting existing ones.

Technical Training

Technical training will prepare you to work in Albania by building on the skills you already have and helping you develop new 

skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of the country. The Peace Corps staff, Albania experts, and current Volunteers will 

conduct the training program. Training places great emphasis on learning how to transfer the skills you have to the community 

in which you will serve as a Volunteer. 

Technical training will include sessions on the general economic and political environment in Albania and strategies for 

working within such a framework. You will review your technical sector’s goals and meet with the Albanian agencies and 

organizations that invited the Peace Corps to assist them. You will also meet with other Albanian and international 

organizations that support the activities of the particular sector. You will be supported and evaluated throughout the training to

help build the confidence and skills you need to undertake your project activities and be a productive member of your 

community.
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Language Training

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills are key to personal and professional satisfaction during your 

service. These skills are critical to your job performance, they help you integrate into your community, and they can ease your 

personal adaptation to the new surroundings. Therefore, language training is at the heart of the training program. You must 

successfully meet minimum language requirements to complete training and become a Volunteer. Albania language instructors 

teach formal language classes five days a week in small groups of four to five people.

Your language training will incorporate a community-based approach. In addition to classroom time, you will be given 

assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your host family. The goal is to get you to a point of basic social 

communication skills so you can practice and develop language skills further once you are at your site. Prior to being sworn in 

as a Volunteer, you will work on strategies to continue language studies during your service.

As a Volunteer, you will find that language skills are the key to your personal and professional satisfaction. These skills are 

critical to your job performance, integration into your community, and can ease your personal adaptation to new surroundings.

Language training is the heart of PST, and you must successfully meet minimum language requirements to complete training 

and become a Volunteer. Albanian language instructors teach formal language classes four or five days a week in small groups 

at your site. In addition, you will be given assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your host family. 

You should continue making a serious effort to learn the language throughout your entire term of service. While you can be an 

effective Volunteer without speaking Albanian well, knowledge of the language will unquestionably increase your 

effectiveness. Depending on English-speaking Albanians to communicate detailed or abstract information will significantly 

limit what you can do as a Volunteer, especially if you are not placed in a large city. 

It is a good idea to start studying Albanian as soon as you accept the invitation to come to Albania. 

One useful resource that is widely available is Pimsleur International’s audiotape series for self-instruction in Albanian. There 

are also numerous videos about learning basic phrases in Shqip on Youtube. 

Cross-Cultural Training

As part of your pre-service training, you will live with an Albanian host family. This experience is designed to ease your 

transition to life at your site. Families go through an orientation conducted by Peace Corps staff to explain the purpose of preservice training and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in Albania. Many Volunteers form strong and lasting 

friendships with their host families.

Cross-cultural and community development training will help you improve your communication skills and understand your role 

as a facilitator of development. You will be exposed to topics such as community mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and 

development, non-formal and adult education strategies, and political structures.

Cross-culture training provides information and methods for integrating into the Albanian culture, and will help you understand 

your community more deeply. As part of your PST, you will live with an Albanian host family. This experience will ease your 

transition to life at your site. Host families have gone through an orientation by Peace Corps staff to explain the purpose of preservice training and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in Albania. Many Volunteers form strong and lasting 

friendships with their host families. Cross-cultural training will help you improve your communication skills and understand 

your role as a development facilitator.

Health Training

During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical training and information. You will be expected to practice 

preventive health care and to take responsibility for your own health by adhering to all medical policies. Trainees are required to

attend all medical sessions. The topics include preventive health measures and minor and major medical issues that you might 

encounter while in Albania. Nutrition, mental health, setting up a safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other 

sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also covered.
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Safety Training

During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to adopt a lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at work, and during 

your travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective strategies for coping with unwanted attention and about your individual 

responsibility for promoting safety throughout your service.

You will learn how to assess basic risks and hazards and to identify and manage risks you may encounter. There will be tests of 

the emergency action plans (EAP) and your compliance is required to complete training. You will learn that safety and security 

are team efforts and, if you do not work and live safely, you can put other members of the team at risk. As one Volunteer said,

“Safety is a team sport in Albania and never takes a vacation.”

Additional Trainings During Volunteer Service

In its commitment to institutionalize quality training, the Peace Corps has implemented a training system that provides 

Volunteers with continual opportunities to examine their commitment to Peace Corps service while increasing their technical 

and cross-cultural skills. During service, there are usually three training events. The titles and objectives for those trainings are 

as follows: 

 In-service training: Provides an opportunity for Volunteers to upgrade their technical, language, and project development 

skills while sharing their experiences and reaffirming their commitment after having served for three to six months.

 Midterm conference (done in conjunction with technical sector in-service): Assists Volunteers in reviewing their first year, 

reassessing their personal and project objectives, and planning for their second year of service.

 Close-of-service conference: Prepares Volunteers for the future after Peace Corps service and reviews their respective 

projects and personal experiences. 

The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the training 

system is that training events are integrated and interrelated, from the pre-departure orientation through the end of your service, 

and are planned, implemented, and evaluated cooperatively by the training staff, Peace Corps staff, and Volunteers.

. 
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YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY IN ALBANIA

The Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs 

emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Albania maintains a clinic with a

full-time medical officer, who takes care of Volunteers’ primary health-care needs. Additional medical services, such as testing 

and basic treatment, are also available in Albania at local hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to 

an American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United States.

Health Issues in Albania

Good health results from good health maintenance. Major health problems among Volunteers in Albania are rare. The majority 

of health problems in Albania are similar to those that exist in the United States: colds, flu, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, 

minor injuries, dental problems, sexually transmitted infections. All Volunteers should expect to be at greater risk for a variety 

of medical problems in Albania because of the stressful nature of day-to-day life as a Volunteer. Stress-related medical 

problems can include menstrual irregularities, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, muscle aches, depression, anxiety, and alcohol 

abuse.

Helping You Stay Healthy

The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon your

arrival in Albania, you will receive a medical handbook. At the end of training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to 

take care of mild illnesses and first aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this section. 

During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer. However, you will be 

responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you require, as the Peace Corps 

will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may 

not be available here and it may take several months for shipments to arrive.

You will have physicals at mid-service and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your 

service, the medical officer in Albania will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined 

that your condition cannot be treated in Albania, you may be sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.

Maintaining Your Health

As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce 

your risk of serious illness or injury. The adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” becomes extremely 

important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United States. The most important 

of your responsibilities in Albania is to take the following preventive measures:

Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These 

illnesses include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worms, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. 

Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation in Albania during pre-service training.

Abstinence is the most effective way to prevent infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. You are taking 

risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host 

country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STIs. You will 

receive more information from the medical officer about this important issue.

Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your medical 

officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available

without charge from the medical officer. 

It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled 

immunizations, and that you let the medical officer know immediately of significant illnesses and injuries.
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Women’s Health Information

If you are on birth control pills, please be advised that Peace Corps/Albania medical unit (as well

as all Peace Corps medical units worldwide) routinely stocks five formulations of birth control pills:

• 0.1 mg levonorgestrel/20 mcg ethinyl estradiol (e.g., Aleese)

• 0.3 mg norgestrel/30 mcg ethinyl estradiol (e.g., Lo-Ovral)

• Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol; 0.18 mg/35 mcg; 0.215 mg/35 mcg; 0.25 mg/35 mcg (e.g.,

Orthotricyclen)

• 0.15 desogestrel/30 mcg ethinyl estradiol (e.g., Orthocept)

• 3 mg drospirenone/30 mcg ethinyl estradiol (e.g.,Yasmin)

Once you arrive in-country, the medical officers will review the birth control pills that you currently use during medical intake 

interviews. If your birth control pill differs from any of the stocked categories as listed above, an appropriate switch will be 

suggested and discussed. Please note that the decision to accept an appropriate switch is yours. If for any reason you do not 

want to consider this, or you’ve had problems with other types of pills in the past, the medical unit will do its best to provide 

you with your particular brand of birth control. You are strongly encouraged to discuss this with your current health-care 

provider. If possible, show him/her the list of the formulations routinely in stock and make the switch before coming to Albania.

Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also have 

programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate 

medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace 

Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps’ medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy 

can be met.

Please note that in Albania, feminine hygiene products are available for you to purchase on the local market. The Peace Corps 

medical office in Albania will not provide them.

Your Peace Corps Medical Kit

The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses 

that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked at the medical office.

Medical Kit Contents

First Aid Handbook

Ace bandages

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Adhesive tape

Antacid tablets 

Anti-diarrheal (Imodium)

Antibiotic ointment 

Antifungal cream

Antihistamine

Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner 

Band-Aids

Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

Butterfly closures

Calagel anti-itch gel 

Condoms 

Cough lozenges 

Decongestant

Dental floss

Gloves

Hydrocortisone cream

Ibuprofen 

Insect repellent 

Iodine tablets (for water purification)

Lip balm 

Oral rehydration salts

Scissors 

Sore throat lozenges

Sterile eye drops

Sterile gauze pads

Sunscreen 

Thermometer (Temp-a-dots)

Tweezer
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Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist

If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or dental—since you submitted your 

examination reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure 

to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your 

eligibility to serve. 

If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, 

contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or 

Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must 

complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of 

Medical Services.

If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your physician’s office to obtain a copy of your 

immunization record and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to 

Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the 

immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after 

you arrive in Albania. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.

Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you use on a regular basis, 

including birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it 

will order refills during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be 

dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed 

medications, such as St. John’s wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.

You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a 

requirement, but they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply 

of prescription drugs.

If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace them, using the 

information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. The 

Peace Corps discourages you from using contact lenses during your service to reduce your risk of developing a 

serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation 

to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or 

associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific medical condition and 

the Peace Corps Office of Medical Services has given approval.

If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your 

future participation in health-care plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique 

coverage needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary health care from the time 

you leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be 

entitled to the post-service health-care benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may 

wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age or pre-existing 

conditions might prevent you from re-enrolling in your current plan when you return home.

Safety and Security in Depth

Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar 

environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy 

American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property theft and burglaries are not 

uncommon. Incidents of sexual and physical assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their 

two years of service without a serious safety and security incident.
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Beyond knowing that the Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you, it might be 

helpful to see how this partnership works. The Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and training in place to

promote your safety. The Peace Corps depends on you to follow those policies and to put into practice what 

you have learned. An example of how this works in practice—in this case to help manage the risk of 

burglary—follows:

 The Peace Corps assesses the security environment where you will live and work

 The Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live according to established security criteria

 The Peace Corps provides you with resources to take measures such as installing new locks

 The Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country authorities in your new community

 The Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you raise

 You lock your doors and windows

 You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community where you live

 You get to know neighbors

 You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is appropriate for you

 You don’t change residences before being authorized by the Peace Corps

 You communicate concerns that you have to Peace Corps staff

This welcome book contains sections on Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle, Peace Corps Training, 

and Your Health Care, and Safety and Security that all include important safety and security information to 

help you understand this partnership. The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they 

need to function in the safest way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers 

is the agency’s highest priority. Not only does the Peace Corps provide you with training and tools to prepare 

for the unexpected, but also teaches you to identify, reduce, and manage the risks you may encounter.

Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk 

There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer’s risk, many of which are within the Volunteer’s 

control. By far the most common crime that Volunteers experience is theft. Thefts often occur when

Volunteers are away from their sites, in crowded locations (such as markets or on public transportation), and

when leaving items unattended.

Before you depart for Albania there are several measures you can take to reduce your risk: 

 Leave valuable objects, such as those that are irreplaceable, in the United States

 Leave copies of important documents and account numbers with someone you trust in the United 

States

 Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a decoy

 Purchase personal articles insurance
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After you arrive in Albania, you will receive more detailed information about common crimes, factors that 

contribute to Volunteer risk, and local strategies to reduce that risk. For example, Volunteers in Albania learn 

to do the following:

 Choose safe routes and times for travel and travel with someone trusted by the community whenever 

possible

 Make sure one’s personal appearance is respectful of local customs

 Avoid high-crime areas

 Know the local language to get help in an emergency

 Make friends with local people who are respected in the community 

 Limit alcohol consumption

As you can see from this list, you must be willing to work hard and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the 

potential for being a target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Albania. You can 

reduce your risk by avoiding situations that place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or 

town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know each other and generally are less likely to steal 

from their neighbors. Tourist attractions in large towns are favorite worksites for pickpockets.

The following are other security concerns in Albania of which you should be aware:

While whistles and unwelcomed comments may be fairly common on the street, this behavior can be reduced 

if Volunteers abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to the guidance provided during training.

Staying Safe: Don’t Be a Target for Crime

You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility for your own safety. You can make yourself 

less of a target, ensure that your home is secure, and develop relationships in your community that will make 

you less likely to be a victim of crime. While the factors that contribute to your risk in Albania may be 

different, in many ways you can do what you would do if you moved to a new city anywhere: Be cautious, 

check things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use 

common sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, 

learning the local language, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving 

safely and effectively in Albania will require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.

Support from Staff

If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All 

Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. 

The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure the Volunteer is safe and receiving 

medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff response may 

include reassessing the Volunteer’s worksite and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as 

needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff 

will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the 
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crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer 

Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that 

they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant; this option may no longer exist if the evidence of 

the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident. 

Crime Data for Albania

Crime data and statistics for Albania, which are updated yearly, are available at the following link: 

http://www.peacecorps.gov/countrydata/albania

Please take the time to review this important information.

Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and crimes that do occur overseas are investigated 

and prosecuted by local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the victim of a crime, you will 

decide if you wish to file a complaint with local law enforcement. If you decide to do so, Peace Corps staff will 

be there to assist you. One of the Peace Corps’ tasks is to ensure you are fully informed of your options and 

understand how the local legal process works. The Peace Corps will help you ensure your rights are protected 

to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the country.

If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get to a safe location as quickly as possible and 

contact your Peace Corps office. It’s important that you notify Peace Corps staff as soon as you can so the 

Peace Corps can provide you with the help you need.

Volunteer Safety & Support in Albania

The Peace Corps’ approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your service and 

includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency 

action plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Albania’s in-country safety program is 

outlined below.

The Peace Corps/Albania office will keep you informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety

through information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in the All-Volunteer Memo (AVM) and in 

memorandums from the country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, you will be 

contacted through the emergency communication network. An important component of the capacity of Peace 

Corps to keep you informed is your buy-in to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff. It is expected 

that you will do your part in ensuring that Peace Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements incountry so they are able to inform you.

Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and security issues in Albania. This training will 

prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces 

risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated 

into the language, cross-cultural aspects, health, and other components of training. You will be expected to 

successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas, including safety and security, as a 

condition of service.

Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace 

Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a 

Volunteer’s arrival and to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site 

is inspected before the Volunteer’s arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and 

worksites. 

You will also learn about Peace Corps/Albania’s detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in 

the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and 
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submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a 

security threat, you will gather with other Volunteers in Albania at predetermined locations until the situation

is resolved or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.

Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that 

Volunteers immediately report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The Peace Corps has 

established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it 

collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future 

Volunteers.
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DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES

In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host countries, the Peace Corps is making special 

efforts to assure that all of America’s richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are 

serving in today’s Peace Corps than at any time in recent history. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, 

religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps’ 

mission is to help dispel any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us 

is as thoroughly American as the other despite our many differences. 

Diversity helps the Peace Corps accomplish that goal. In other ways, however, it poses challenges. In Albania, 

as in other Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers’ behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs are judged in a 

cultural context very different from their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly 

accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Albania.

Outside of Albania’s capital, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct exposure to other 

cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or norms may be a 

misconception, such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of 

Albania are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in 

which you will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences that you present. 

To ease the transition and adapt to life in Albania, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental

compromises in how you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees 

and Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political 

discussions need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain 

undisclosed. You will need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other 

limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training and 

will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately will be your own.

Overview of Diversity in Albania

The Peace Corps staff in Albania recognizes the adjustment issues that come with diversity and will endeavor

to provide support and guidance. During pre-service training, several sessions will be held to discuss diversity 

and coping mechanisms. The Peace Corps looks forward to having male and female Volunteers from a variety 

of races, ethnic groups, ages, religions, and sexual orientations, and hope that you will become part of a diverse 

group of Americans who take pride in supporting one another and demonstrating the richness of American 

culture.

What Might a Volunteer Face?

Possible Issues for Female Volunteers

Gender stereotypes are much more evident and accepted in Albania than in the United States. By tradition, 

women are expected to cook and to look after the needs of their husbands and children even if they work 

outside the home. Albanian women lead much more restrictive lives than American women do. Women do not 

go out alone at night, and jogging or walking alone for exercise is uncommon. Outside of downtown Tirana 

and in the larger city centers, women almost never smoke or drink alcohol in public. Young women are 

sometimes verbally harassed by groups of men in the streets, and looking foreign or walking alone on the 

street will heighten the likelihood that harassment will occur. Your adjustment to Albanian customs will be 

difficult and frustrating at times, but you must modify your behavior to avoid compromising yourself and your 

host family. 
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Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color 

There are very few people of color in Albania, and many Albanians have never met anyone of color. Some 

older Albanians may have met Chinese technicians and workers in the 1960s and ’70s, when Albania was 

aligned with China. They may have unpleasant memories from that period. Although there are currently 

foreigners from a variety of countries and races in Tirana, there are very few people of color in the smaller 

towns and rural communities. Many Albanians will not know what to make of a person of color who calls 

her/himself an American. If you are of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent, you will probably be the only such 

person in your community.

You may encounter varying degrees of harassment in your day-to-day life because of ignorance or stereotyped 

cultural perceptions. You may be evaluated as less professionally competent than a white Volunteer. You may 

be stared at, pointed to, and commented on. You may hear comments that would be considered completely 

inappropriate in the United States. Children and teenage boys can be particularly insensitive and hurl 

comments or even rocks. In those situations, your greatest support will be your host family and local 

counterparts—people with whom you have established strong relationships—who consider you a friend. They 

will introduce you to others in the community and intervene with children and others who may bother you. 

You will have to learn to live with a constant level of attention that you may have never had to face before. It 

can be very difficult.

Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers

Respect comes with age in Albania. Younger Volunteers may have to work harder than their older colleagues 

to be accepted as professionals. There are situations that senior Volunteers will find challenging, however. 

Younger counterparts at your assigned organization may feel that the Peace Corps let them down by not 

assigning them a younger and presumably more energetic, eager Volunteer. It may take some time for them to 

see that age has nothing to do with energy or eagerness. Older people in Albania generally are less active than 

older people in the United States, and your Albanian friends may assume that you would rather stay home than 

socialize. You may also feel isolated within the Peace Corps community because most Volunteers are likely to 

be in their 20s.

Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers

For LGBTQ Volunteers: Given Albania’s traditional values, sexual orientation and non-conforming gender 

identities might not be discussed openly. In some cases, the LGBTQ community may be stigmatized. Mindful 

of the cultural norms and country-specific laws, the decision to serve openly is left to each individual Peace 

Corps Volunteer. Many LGBTQ Volunteers have chosen to be discreet about their sexual orientation and/or 

gender identity within their host communities. Some LGBTQ Volunteers have chosen to come out to 

community members, with a result of positive and negative reactions, while some have come out only to select 

Peace Corps staff and Volunteers. Dealing with questions about boyfriends, girlfriends, marriage, and children 

may, at times, be stressful for LGBTQ Volunteers. You may find that Albania is a less open and inclusive 

environment than you have previously experienced. Please know, however, that Peace Corps is supportive of 

you and Peace Corps staff welcomes dialogue about how to ensure your success as an LGBTQA Volunteer. 

More information about serving as an LGBTQ Volunteer is available at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 

Transgender Peace Corps Alumni website at lgbrpcv.org. Additionally, the Peace Corps’ LGBTQ employee 

resource group, Spectrum, can be reached at spectrum@peacecorps.gov.

For Ally Volunteers: Peace Corps staff intends to create open, inclusive, and accepting environments. As an 

agency, the Peace Corps encourages Volunteers to serve as allies to their LGBTQ colleagues in order to create 

a safe environment.
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Many LGBTQ Volunteers have served successfully in Albania and have very fond memories of their 

community and service. LGBTQA support groups may be available in your country of service, providing a 

network to support the needs of the Peace Corps LGBTQA community. Peace Corps staff will work with 

Volunteers to provide them with locally informed perspectives.

Albania has a homophobic culture, and many Albanians view homosexuality as immoral. The gay and lesbian 

community in Albania is deeply underground. Being sensible and extremely cautious about revealing one’s 

sexual orientation in one’s home, workplace, and community is advisable. 

Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers

Albanians’ religion generally varies by location. Some areas of the country have more Muslims, some have 

more Albanian Orthodox people, and some have more Roman Catholics. Though Albania is sometimes 

characterized as more Muslim, this refers more to heritage than to religious beliefs and practices. Most 

Albanians identify with one of the three religions because of family history, but tend to be non-practicing 

members. All religions are fairly well-tolerated in Albania, and practicing a religion is not likely to be an issue. 

The Peace Corps forbids Volunteers from proselytizing or participating in other religious activities that could 

impair their effectiveness as Volunteers.

Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities

As a disabled Volunteer in Albania, you will face a special set of challenges. People with disabilities are often 

kept out of public view in Albania, and there is very little infrastructure to accommodate those with 

disabilities. There are no ramps in public places, and roads and sidewalks are uneven or otherwise in poor 

condition. Traffic throughout the country is chaotic. Nevertheless, the Peace Corps Office of Medical Services 

determined that you were physically and emotionally capable of performing a full tour of Volunteer service in 

Albania without unreasonable risk to yourself or interruption of your service. Peace Corps/Albania will work 

with disabled Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations in training, housing, and job sites to enable 

them to serve safely and effectively. 

Possible Issues for Married Volunteers

All married couples will live together during PST and when they move to their permanent sites as Volunteers.

However, there might be times during PST where spouses will go in different directions to conduct a project or 

a practicum. 

Married couples may face challenges stemming from traditional Albanian gender roles. A married female 

Volunteer may find herself the object of gossip among Albanian women, who may wonder whether she is 

taking proper care of her husband, can cook and preserve enough vegetables for the winter, or spends too much 

time with other men. While the wife may be expected to do all the domestic chores, the husband may be 

expected to assume an overtly dominant role in the household. In addition, the independence exercised by each 

member of an American couple may be perceived as immoral behavior. On the other hand, Albanians value 

marriage and married Volunteers find a lot of support from the Albanian community. To date, married couples 

have served effectively in Albania without having to make unreasonable compromises.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Albania?

Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess charges for transport of baggage that exceeds 

those limits. The Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay the cost of transport for 

baggage that exceeds these limits. The Peace Corps’ allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with 

combined dimensions of both pieces not to exceed 107 inches (length + width + height) and a carry-on bag 

with dimensions of no more than 45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 100 pounds total with a 

maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one bag.

Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios 

are permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or 

liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important safety 

precaution.

What is the electric current in Albania?

The electric current is 220 volts, 50 hertz. Electrical outlets use round, two-pronged plugs that are standard in 

Europe, so most American appliances (e.g., hair dryers and CD players) will require transformers and plug 

adapters. It is best to buy these before leaving the United States. However, European-made electronics are 

becoming more widely available in Albania at somewhat reasonable prices, so if you do not already own an 

American item, you can wait until you get to Albania and buy one that does not need a transformer or plug 

adapter. Check out the website of Walkabout Travel Gear (www.walkabouttravelgear.com) for helpful 

products (converter plugs, small surge protectors, etc.) and tips on dealing with differences in electric current. 

More expensive electronics like laptops and MP3 players should be purchased in the United States. Electricity 

can be very unreliable and of poor quality. Some areas of Albania have experienced outages lasting as long as 

10 hours per day during the winter and summer months.

How much money should I bring?

Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in their community. You will be given a 

settling-in allowance and a monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses. Volunteers often 

wish to bring additional money for vacation travel to other countries. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are 

preferable to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, you may decide to bring your debit/ATM bank card to 

access while in Albania. Bring the amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs. Make sure you notify 

your bank that you will be living overseas and inform them of the possible countries you may be visiting while 

living as a Volunteer.

When can I take vacation and have people visit me?

Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service (excluding training). Leave may not be taken 

during training, the first three months of service, or the last three months of service, except in conjunction with

an authorized emergency leave. Family and friends are welcome to visit you after pre-service training and the 

first three months of service as long as their stay does not interfere with your work. Extended stays at your site 

are not encouraged and may require permission from your country director. The Peace Corps is not able to 

provide your visitors with visa, medical, or travel assistance. 

Will my belongings be covered by insurance?

The Peace Corps does not provide insurance coverage for personal effects; Volunteers are ultimately 

responsible for the safekeeping of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal property 

insurance before you leave. If you wish, you may contact your own insurance company; additionally, 

insurance application forms will be provided, and you are encouraged to consider them carefully. Volunteers 
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should not ship or take valuable items overseas. Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive appliances 

are subject to loss, theft, and breakage and, in many places, satisfactory maintenance and repair services are 

not available. 

Do I need an international driver’s license?

Volunteers in Albania do not need an international driver’s license because they are prohibited from operating 

privately owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or taxi. Rural travel ranges from buses and 

minibuses to trucks, bicycles, and lots of walking. On very rare occasions, a Volunteer may be asked to drive a 

sponsor’s vehicle, but this can occur only with prior written permission from the country director. Should this 

occur, the Volunteer may obtain a local driver’s license. A U.S. driver’s license will facilitate the process, so 

bring it with you just in case.

What should I bring as gifts for Albanian friends and my host family?

This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient. Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for 

the house; pictures, books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area; hard candies that will 

not melt or spoil; or photos to give away.

Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?

Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until after they have completed pre-service training. 

This gives Peace Corps staff the opportunity to assess each trainee’s technical and language skills prior to 

assigning sites, in addition to finalizing site selections with their ministry counterparts. If feasible, you may 

have the opportunity to provide input on your site preferences, including geographical location, distance from 

other Volunteers, and living conditions. However, keep in mind that many factors influence the site selection 

process and that the Peace Corps cannot guarantee placement where you would ideally like to be. Most 

Volunteers live in small towns or in rural villages and are usually within one hour from another Volunteer. 

Some sites require a six- to eight-hour drive from the capital. There is at least one Volunteer based in each of 

the regional capitals and about five to eight Volunteers in the capital city.

How can my family contact me in an emergency?

The Peace Corps Counseling and Outreach Unit provides assistance in handling emergencies affecting trainees 

and Volunteers or their families. Before leaving the United States, instruct your family to notify the 

Counseling and Outreach Unit immediately if an emergency arises, such as a serious illness or death of a 

family member. The number for the COU is 855.855.1961; select option 2, then ext. 1470. After normal 

business hours and on weekends and holidays, the COU duty officer can be reached at the above number. For 

non-emergency questions, your family can get information from your country desk staff at the Peace Corps by 

calling 855.855.1961. 

Can I call home from Albania? 

Yes, but you will need to pay for all personal calls from your living allowance, and their cost can be 

substantial. All Volunteers have access to a phone in their communities, but it may be in a post office some 

distance away. Some host families may have a phone in their home that you may use to make local calls and 

receive local or international calls. Volunteers receive a cellphone during training that can be used to call home 

if they wish to pay the fees. While the Peace Corps provides funds for phone time each month for safety and 

security purposes, it is not enough to call home. However, you can receive calls on your cellphone at no 

charge. You can also use Skype to make calls from your computer or a computer at an Internet cafe.
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Should I bring a cellphone with me?

Not unless it is a European GSM (Global System Mobile) phone that accepts SIM (Subscriber Identity 

Module) cards. Most common U.S. cellphones will not work in Albania, though there are GSM/SIM card 

phones in the U.S. that will (usually called tri-bands). Contact your service provider to learn if you have one of 

these phones and how it can be unlocked for international use. You will receive a cellphone from the Peace 

Corps as part of the Safety and Security program. 

Will there be email and Internet access? Should I bring my computer?

Internet access is becoming readily available and at a fast pace. Many Volunteers have Internet access in their 

homes; however, the majority do not and you should not expect this. But most Volunteers at least have an 

Internet cafe in their town. However, during pre-service training, trainees live in small villages and likely only 

have access one to two times a week when they travel to a larger city. If you cannot get Internet directly on

your computer, you can access it at an Internet cafe and transport documents using a USB. On Internet cafe

computers, viruses are a given. Make sure your computer has virus protection ahead of time (AVG has a 

recommended free version). If you already have a laptop and do not bring it with you, you will probably wish 

you had. If you do bring a computer, you are responsible for insuring and maintaining it. Powering your laptop 

may be challenge.
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WELCOME LETTERS FROM ALBANIA VOLUNTEERS

There will be many similar obstacles and many common joys among you and the rest of the Volunteers, but 

the way you look at and react to everything is what defines your experience in Albania. 

Why are you here? Don’t forget that.

Each Volunteer is unique. You don’t have to be anyone else.

These are two notions I’ve tried to keep in mind always, and ones I reflect upon throughout my journey.

I’ve learned a foreign language and to communicate in it. I’ve learned what it’s like to be a teacher. And I’ve 

learned how to improve how I communicate with other people.

There is no greater window into the culture of Albania than through its language. The opportunities to connect 

and to communicate over coffee, in the work place, or in your neighborhood will overwhelm you: You can 

hardly walk down your street without a greeting or an offer to sit and chat. And though you may not leave the 

training period with fluency, your desire to learn and communicate throughout your service, through mistakes 

and pronunciation gaffs, will open numerous doors for you in the months to come. I share some of my best 

moments exchanging English and Albanian poetry with an elderly artist, debating poetry and prose with a 

colleague at school, and relating the history of my family when I am a guest in a new home. This is why I have 

come. 

There are no greater challenges here for me than in the classroom. Students and teachers have some different 

views, attitudes, and ethics. They are not mine and I am continually processing how to react, and whether to 

accept or to combat what I see. Are we here always to accept things as appropriate, or to critique things as 

wrong? I have seen enough films about inspiration to believe I can motivate students, but it has taken some 

time to accept that I am only one, that I am limited, and that I cannot just up and change mentalities, mine or 

others’. But in the words of a good friend here, what I am doing is showing something different, and that is 

what will be remembered. Whether you change someone or not isn’t the question to lose sleep over. But if you 

don’t even show up in the first place, all opportunities for you and your community disappear.

There is nothing greater, I firmly believe, than to say that you are doing something that stretches you beyond 

your boundaries. It is uncomfortable. I do not always want to be asked if I will marry a woman from this 

country. It is exciting. I have never seen landscapes and seascapes like those that fill this land. And it is 

exhausting. I am confronted with a new climate, new diet, new schedule, new language, new community, new 

tasks, new projects, new rules, new ... you get my drift. That is why I have come. Not just because I have the 

chance to work with others, but because I chiefly value the opportunity to challenge myself in the life that I 

have.

—Chris Chaulk

Elders, especially older men, are particularly deferred to. It is startling to have a younger woman get up to give 

you a seat and almost impossible to allow someone to enter a door before you do. Apparently it is also a sign 

of respect to allow you to walk in the front, which makes it difficult at times when you don't know where you 

are going and are trying to follow. If you are a man, some of your neighbors will be amazed that you are able 

to cook and clean for yourself. If you don't drink alcohol, there will be some awkward social moments, as 

Albanians do not consider beer, wine, or raki alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, maintaining moderation may be 

difficult. The same goes regarding food. Being moderate in your diet can be difficult at times among the over 

generous Albanians, although I am not sure if this is more of a problem for the older Volunteers except that as 

one ages one usually must be more careful with eating in terms of variety and, particularly, amount.
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It is a bit more difficult socializing with the younger Volunteers. Obviously their interests in music and culture 

will be different from the older Volunteer and their stamina for partying will be quite different. For some, this 

is their first time away from home outside of college, and they act the way the older Volunteers probably did at 

their age. The most startling thing to me is the number that have had difficult relationships with their parents. It 

must be hard for them when they witness the close Albanian families. I think some of the older Volunteers can 

be helpful by creating a home environment that is open to the younger Volunteers, especially at the holidays, 

and, of course, this is rewarding for the older Volunteer as well. 

As an American who has traveled extensively in the past, it is a continuing source of amazement the degree to 

which Albanians like America and Americans. It has been a delight to meet Albanians on a personal level and 

to learn about the history and culture of an ancient country that is little known to most Americans.

—Mike Weiss

Congrats on your invite to Peace Corps/Albania! When I signed on to be a Volunteer, I thought life would be 

like that of my friend in Mozambique who has bats living in her straw hut’s ceiling and a hole in her floor for a 

toilet. Instead, I am writing to you from my apartment with water, electricity, and Internet. And a western toilet 

and a washing machine. That’s right: You’ve hit the jackpot as far as living conditions for the Peace Corps.

Now then, things won’t always be sunshine and daisies. My personal challenges come from work. It would 

appear that other letters have thoroughly covered the subject, but some issues bear repeating: Albanians work 

at their own pace; they respect hierarchy above innovation; they see many problems and few solutions; they 

stick to whatever structure there has always been, etc., etc. You’ll quickly discover what issues you personally 

find challenging, and you’ll discover how to overcome or deal with them. Like you haven’t heard it enough 

already, but the best thing you can do is be flexible. 

Other topics which have been thoroughly covered are Albanian hospitality, occasionally aggressive 

friendliness, and blunt delivery, but I want to end on these best of features of the Albanian culture/mentality, 

and so I will tell a story to refrain from generalized observations. You can take from the story what you will, 

but I promise you none of it is fictionalized.

I had planted myself at one of the turnoffs of the highway and was waiting for a passing furgon (public 

shuttle). Already there was a mother with few teeth, her college-aged daughter, and two young sons playing 

with a deflated soccer ball. The mother thought I was very bukur (beautiful) and that I was Kinese (Chinese) 

and could not possibly be American. I have had this observed many times and thus have the photo ready, and 

so I showed them all the picture of me with my brother, mother (Japanese-American) and father (CaucasianAmerican mutt), which produced the usual Albanian sound of understanding (“Waaah!”). They ate the apples I 

offered, and I took their green plums (imagine a plum and a lemon had a baby) as they were thrust on me in 

return. The daughter insisted I have her silvery bracelets, and I insisted on playing soccer with the boys, who 

couldn’t believe I was going to root for the U.S. in the World Cup. I was asked if I had any interest in marrying 

the mother’s eldest son, which I politely declined, but I did exchange phone numbers with them, promising to 

dine with them next time I was in the area. When the furgon came, I insisted the family go as they had been 

waiting for a half hour, but the mother was adamant that we would all be able to fit, which ended up being 

technically true, even if some passengers had to stand folded over. They would not let me pay for my pilaf 

(rice) at the rest stop and, when I got off at my destination four hours later that was one city further than theirs, 

the furgon driver informed me that the mother had paid for my trip.

—KT Gustafson

If I had to put my impression of serving in the Peace Corps in Albania in a few words they would be, “Is this 

really the Peace Corps?” That may be because I work in a program where Volunteers are in a professional 
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35

setting with local engineers, urban planners, and even politicians (and dressing in business casual). When I 

enlisted, I envisioned I would be digging fishponds in Central America. I have been assigned to work with a 

national park in southern Albania. As a landscape architect, I have had national parks as clients, but I had 

never worked for a national park. Not only is it a good change of pace for me, but it is an excellent opportunity 

for professional development with an international slant. My résumé will not skip a beat with my two years of 

service and I will have had the chance to travel in Europe as well.

Albania is one big paradox. It has the history and culture of an ancient civilization, but it lacks the 

sophistication of Europe. There are no such things as credit cards, shower curtains, or electricity. But things are 

changing fast. 

Albania is also one of the few places left in the world where they actually like Americans: We helped with 

Kosovo and they don’t forget those kinds of things here. The mountains and the southern coast are dramatic 

and beautiful; the roads are terrible; the apartment flats from the socialist period are very ugly; and in the town 

of Lac where I lived for three months during training, there were pigs on the sidewalk in front of the Internet 

cafe—a land of contrasts.

—Gary Wimberly 

If you are interested in getting a handle on the history of the Balkans and the mentality of the Albanian people, 

I recommend two books: “Accursed Mountains” by Robert Carver and “Balkan Ghosts” by Robert Kaplan. 

“Accursed Mountains” is specifically about a trip to Albania in summer 1996. Carver’s insights into the 

Albanian mentality may help speed your acclimation process. The author’s observations are generally right on, 

if not occasionally embellished for the sake of the novel. “Balkan Ghosts” has helped me better understand the 

region and why there has been such tumult for so long.

My personal reactions to a number of things:

Food: It has been better than I expected. You will eat pretty well here. Salt and olive oil (plenty of each) are 

the condiments of choice. Vegetables and fruit are generally abundant. Vegetarians will have fun trying to 

explain their aversion to meat, but their choices will be respected.

Landscape: The country can be absolutely beautiful at times and shockingly ugly at others. There is more 

urban decay than I expected, but 50 years of totalitarian rule and lack of money can do that. There is a lot of 

trash. Be prepared to see piles of trash placed in some surprisingly prominent places—in the center of small 

towns for example. Though city locations will vary, there is a sameness to them in terms of buildings and 

houses. You will quickly learn that Albanians build their homes in stages, so when you see metal bars sticking 

up from the roofs of so many houses, it’s because they plan to build another floor if and when they have 

money to do so.

People: The people are generally extremely generous with food, time, and lodging, whatever they have. 

Americans are almost universally liked and appreciated (at least the first time you meet—the rest is up to 

you!).

Work: I think for many of us the work (or lack thereof) has been the most challenging aspect of our service. 

Depending on what you will be doing, be prepared to put aside your Western notions of initiative, planning, 

productivity, and collaboration. Planning for the future is still a new concept. Albanians were told what to do 

by the central government for 50 years, so the idea of taking initiative and working on something without 
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being told to is still new. Generally, people here adhere to a hierarchical style of management. The boss is the 

boss, he or she tells me what to do, and I do it. I generally do not do more than I am told to. Working together 

and collaborating on ideas are second nature to Americans, but still new here. You may have to work hard at 

getting different groups to see the benefit of sharing ideas and working together.

There can sometimes be a disconnect between the organization that has requested a Peace Corps Volunteer and 

the people you ultimately work with. Your colleagues may need some time to get used to the idea of working 

with you without feeling threatened by your presence. Depending on your job, be prepared to look outside 

your prescribed role to find fulfillment. Ultimately, you will have to work harder to find a sense of 

accomplishment.

Like anybody, I am occasionally frustrated by what goes on here, but I am usually buoyed by the fact that our 

presence in Albania is received so positively.

—Ted Feeny 

I didn’t really know what to expect when I first got off the plane in Rinas. Albania is a country full of 

contradictions. It’s a country you’ll love one minute and hate the next. But what will make your experience 

worthwhile are the wonderful people you will meet and places you will visit. 

Albanians are some of the most curious, generous, and hospitable people I’ve ever met. Strangers will strike up 

conversations with you if you just smile or say “hi” to them. They enjoy talking to foreigners and even love 

you when you speak in Shqip (Albanian language). They’ll invite you to their homes even if they’ve just met 

you. But Albanians also like to ask the most personal questions, usually without intending to. Albanians are 

blunt. They’ll tell you if you’re fat or skinny to your face without thinking that they’re offending you. Be

prepared to answer questions about how much money you have or are making as a Volunteer. Albanians are 

kind and generous. Even if they’re poor, they will bring you their best food and drinks (homemade wine or 

raki). Albanians take pride in what they serve you. Don’t be surprised if random people start giving you gifts 

like sweets, fruits, and socks or invite you for coffee when you first get to your site. Sometimes they’ll want 

something in return (like ask you to tutor their kids in English or help them get a U.S. visa), but most of the 

time they’re just kind. When you live with your host family, they’ll expect you to be part of the family, paying 

them visits and calling them on occasion after you move to your permanent site or apartment.

Albania is a beautiful country. Expect to find old castles on mountains, unique landscapes, and gorgeous 

valleys. At the same time, be prepared to find dumps of trash and rivers turned into sewage canals. Take the 

time to travel around the country. But expect to find crazy furgon (mini-buses) drivers. They can fit their 

vehicles into the smallest possible area and stop in the middle of the road to talk to a fellow driver. You’ll 

wonder who gave them driver’s licenses.

If you think Albania has Mediterranean, warm weather, think again. In winter, it can get really cold in Albania, 

especially up in the mountains. It can get so cold that you can see your breath in your room and you’ll dread 

putting on cold clothes. There’s no centralized heating in most Albanian homes. Even if you have an electric or 

gas heater, you’re lucky if there’s power 24/7 or you don’t smell gas in your room. Bring a sleeping bag! I 

wouldn’t have survived this past winter without it. 

Life in Albania is slow. Be prepared to sometimes be bored at home and at work. Bring lots of music and 

books to keep your mind busy. If you’re used to working with computers and lots of paper, lower your 

expectations. Work in Albania is not about doing paperwork, but about maintaining relationships, usually built 
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through cups of coffee. Don’t expect to be told what to do. The job description they give you in the beginning 

doesn’t mean anything—you can be a strategic planner one day, IT helpdesk the next, and English translator 

the third. Your job and experience here will be what you make of it.

—Anna Gutierrez 

Working with Albanians can be exceedingly difficult. It takes a lot of patience and tolerance. They tend to be 

suspicious and jealous of each other, and there is a tendency to criticize and find fault. Albanians have refused 

to work on a project because it wasn’t their idea. Some have gotten angry at me for sharing and trying to find 

partners for ideas we were working on together. 

There is an anecdote I’ve heard several times from Albanians. They tell it in a joking manner, but they admit it 

has a ring of truth. 

The Albanian king decided he would grant some of his subjects anything they desired. The first Albanian 

peasant approached the king. “What is your desire my loyal subject?” the King asked. “The only request I 

have is that you give me a cow that I might provide my family with milk.” The king was a little taken aback 

by such a simple request but granted the peasant his wish. The peasant took his cow home and proudly 

showed it to his neighbor. The next day the peasant’s neighbor went to the king to have his request granted. 

The king asked his loyal subject what he wished. This peasant replied, “Your lordship, I don’t want 

anything except that I want you to take the cow away from my neighbor.”

I find myself always breaking some sort of cultural practice. I have been accused of trying to accomplish too 

much and trying to give too much assistance to certain people. In this culture it is easier to do nothing than try 

something and risk failure. There is also an underlying belief that if you can’t do a project perfectly, it is better 

not to do it at all. When I ask Albanians how things are going to get better in their country, they almost always 

say that outsiders are going to have to come in and make things better. They do not feel connected to their 

government and don’t understand why America supports and works with their government. They feel the 

government is surely corrupt. Yet they feel powerless to hold their leaders responsible.

—Mike Benjamin 

The first thing I’d like to say about you moving to Albania is that you will be safe here. For some reason, many 

people think of Albania and think it is dangerous here. There is crime here, but the crime consists of very highlevel crime that you won’t be involved in and low-level petty theft, which most often happens in the capital. I 

have lived in a number of cities and towns in the U.S. and feel safer here than I did in any of them. The only 

exception is the drivers here. For some reason drivers here think they are more important than any pedestrian 

and drive with the thought that it is the pedestrian’s job to get out of the way. As far as the Kanun-related 

blood feuds, they do exist and are pervasive across the north of Albania. I live in the south, and I know nothing 

of them here. Volunteers who are in the north say how they know people whose families are involved in them 

and it is heartbreaking to see, as often men never leave their house in their entire lives from fear of being killed 

in the street due to being involved in a blood feud. There are entire towns where only women are outside due 

to them. You will not be placed anywhere where blood feuds are pervasive like this, and as a foreigner, you are 

exempt from them as long as you do not align yourself with one family against another. 

An additional note on safety is that 99 percent of Albanians love Americans-almost unconditionally. There are 

historic reasons for this, as president Wilson is seen as helping make sure that Albania was kept as a sovereign 
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country rather than being eaten up by its neighbors, and of course the US’s lead role in the Kosovo situation. 

They do have a generally negative view of what is going on politically now with the US, but less so even than 

many Americans. The pro-American sentiment takes on surreal dimensions, a great example of which was 

during the elections that took place this summer. During almost every event for each of the parties you could 

see three flags waving in the crowd: the Albanian flag, the political party’s flag, and the American flag (which 

believe it or not was not on fire!). It was really weird, but nice to know that most Albanians are generally 

positive toward us, unlike much of the world.

I must say that I and most Volunteers love it here. There are minor cultural differences here, and I have gotten 

(mostly) used to those differences quickly. It’s a great place, people befriend you so quickly here and there are 

so many people who are so excited to talk to you. When I am on long bus rides, and we have a coffee break, 

other passengers often fight with one another about who is going to sit and hang out with me and buy me a 

coffee, and this is descriptive of my interactions with Albanians in general. If you have any doubts about 

coming, get rid of them, it’s a wonderful experience here.

—Chris Cudebec
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PACKING LIST

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Albania and is based on their experience. Use it as an 

informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect 

list! You obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you 

personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep 

in mind that you have a 100-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything 

you need in Albania.

General Clothing

 Professional clothes: Albanians are very well dressed and expect you to look professional in work 

settings.

 Wicking clothing/towels: Towels are not provided in your homes and are great to have while traveling 

(all the better if they dry fast).

 Outer clothes: You will be outside a lot and outer clothes are great for layering when it gets colder.

 House clothes: Who doesn't like comfy clothes to relax in? House slippers/sandals are great to have 

also.

 Warm hats/socks: If you haven't gotten it yet, it's cold here! Be prepared! Attack the winter!

 Thermal underwear: unavailable in Albania and great to have for cold winter

Shoes

 Walking shoes: You will be walking a lot throughout your entire service. Durable and comfortable 

shoes are of utmost importance.

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items 

 Any favorite nonprescription medical supplies (those provided by the Peace Corps may not be your 

favorite brands, e.g., Nyquil or Zicam)

 A supply of feminine hygiene products (or menstrual cup) to last throughout pre-service training 

(Tampons can be purchased in Tirana; o.b. tampons can be found in pharmacies in larger cities.) 

 Contact lens solutions (not supplied by the Peace Corps and not readily available outside of Tirana)

 Small supply of cosmetics or creams (the quality in Albania varies); hair-care items of certain 

brands may be difficult to find; if you are particular about this, pack enough until you can get more 

shipped

 Quick-drying towel 

 Hand sanitizer/wet wipes 

Miscellaneous

 Sleeping bag: Essential for the winter and also great for traveling to other sites

 Headlamp/flashlights: Power outages are frequent and having these will help you to maintain a routine 

when this happens.

 Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife

 Sturdy umbrella: You can buy umbrellas locally, but they're not good quality.

 Nalgene bottle: Dead giveaway that you're a foreigner but good to have and track water consumption.

 Hobby things/exercise equipment: Bring what makes you happy: guitars, drawing tools, knitting 

needles, etc. Exercise bands, jump ropes, and other things to keep you active are great to have. 

Women typically don’t work out in public here, but if you feel comfortable running in your 

community that is also an option.
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 Notebooks/studying materials: Learning a language is hard enough as is, so make it easier on yourself 

by bringing materials that help your learning process (notebooks, flash cards-not available in country, 

highlighters, etc.).

 Comfort foods: Bring individual servings of comfort foods to get you through long training days. 

After training, favorite foods that you miss are great ideas for care packages.

 Reusable grocery bags: PCVs are working hard to eliminate the plastic bag problem here in Albania 

and this will help you become part of the solution.
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PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as you prepare to live outside the United States 

for two years. Not all items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include everything you should 

make arrangements for.

Family

 Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Counseling and Outreach Unit at any time if there is a 

critical illness or death of a family member (24-hour telephone number: 855.855.1961 ext. 1470).

 Give the Peace Corps’ On the Home Front handbook to family and friends.

Passport/Travel

 Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the Peace Corps passport and visas.

 Verify that your luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.

 Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will 

expire three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular 

passport.)

Medical/Health

 Complete any needed dental and medical work.

 If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.

 Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications (including birth control pills) you are currently 

taking.

Insurance

 Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.

 Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is 

responsible for your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is advisable for people who have 

pre-existing conditions to arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a 

lapse in coverage, it is often difficult and expensive to be reinstated.)

 Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.

Personal Papers

 Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.

Voting

 Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many state universities consider voting and payment 

of state taxes as evidence of residence in that state.)

 Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.
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 Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas. 

Personal Effects

 Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time you leave your home for service overseas 

until the time you complete your service and return to the United States.

Financial Management

 Keep a bank account in your name in the United States. Notify your bank that you will be living in 

Albania and inform them of the possible/likely countries you may be visiting (on annual leave) while 

living abroad.

 Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.

 Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your property and business.

 Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other debts 

through the Office of Volunteer Financial Operations at 855.855.1961 ext. 1770.

 Place all important papers—mortgages, deeds, stocks, and bonds—in a safe deposit box or with an 

attorney or other caretaker.
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CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS

This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer 

various questions. You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly using the local numbers 

provided. Be sure to leave the toll-free number and extensions with your family so they can contact you in the 

event of an emergency.

Peace Corps Headquarters toll-free number:

855.855.1961, press 2, then the extension number (see chart below)

Peace Corps mailing address:

Peace Corps 

Paul D. Coverell Peace Corps Headquarters

1111 20th Street NW

Washington, DC 20526

For questions about: Staff: Toll-free extension: Direct number:

Responding to an invitation Office of Placement ext. 1840 202.692.1840

Country and program 

information

Country Desk

Officer

ext. 1184 202.692.1184

Plane tickets, passports, visas, 

or other travel matters

CWT SATO Travel ext. 1170 202.692.1170

Staging and reporting 

instructions 

(Please note that you will 

receive comprehensive 

information, including flight 

and hotel information, 

approximately three to five 

weeks prior to departure.) 

Office of Staging ext. 1865 202.692.1865

Loan readjustments, tax 

readjustments and power of 

attorney

Office of Financial 

Services

ext. 1770 202.692.1770

Family emergencies Counseling and

Outreach Unit 

(24-hour line)

ext. 1470 202.692.1470