Suspending your phone service during Peace Corps
The average phone plan in the United States is $80 a month. With such a high price tag, few Peace Corps Volunteers would consider keeping their phone service during their time out of country. But what about our phone number? Learn what to do in this article.
The average phone plan in the United States is $80 a month…
With such a hefty price tag, it’s no wonder that many Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) choose not to keep their phone service during their time abroad.
But what about your phone number?
While it might seem like a minor detail, over time, you develop a connection with your phone number. It becomes part of your identity, and let’s face it, the thought of memorizing a new number—and updating it with everyone you know—can feel like too much of a hassle.
The good news is there are ways to keep your number while saving money. Many telecommunications providers offer suspension programs, though PCVs may face challenges qualifying. If those don’t work, services like Google Voice provide an affordable and reliable solution.
Here’s what you need to know:
Suspending Service with Major U.S. Carriers
Most major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint (now part of T-Mobile) offer “Military Suspension” programs. These allow customers to pause their service while keeping their phone number for free or a small monthly fee.
Unfortunately, Peace Corps Volunteers generally don’t qualify for these programs (AT&T calls us out directly) because the Peace Corps is not classified under the same criteria as active military deployment or federal government assignments.
What can you do instead?
Persistence Pays: Some volunteers have successfully negotiated suspensions by explaining their unique circumstances. Call your carrier, even AT&T and ask to speak to a manager or specialist who might have more flexibility.
Low-Cost Plans: If suspension isn’t possible, consider switching to your carrier’s cheapest available plan. Many providers offer prepaid or minimal service plans, which can cost as little as $15/month.
While suspending service with a carrier might work for some, it’s not always a smooth process. That’s where Google Voice comes in.
Google Voice: A Lifeline for Peace Corps Volunteers
Google Voice is a free service that lets you port your current phone number and use it for calls, texts, and voicemail—all over the internet. It’s a game-changer for Peace Corps Volunteers who want to stay connected without maintaining a full phone plan.
Benefits of Google Voice:
Keep Your Number Forever: Porting your number ensures you’ll never lose it, even if you don’t have a traditional phone plan.
Access from Anywhere: With Wi-Fi or data, you can send and receive texts and calls just like you would with a regular phone.
Voicemail and Texts in One Place: Google Voice stores your messages and voicemails in your account, accessible from any device.
No Monthly Bill: Once your number is ported, there’s no recurring cost unless you opt for add-ons like international calling.
How to Port Your Number to Google Voice
The process is straightforward, but there are a few steps to get it right:
Check Eligibility:
Not all phone numbers can be ported to Google Voice. Visit the Google Voice Porting Tool to confirm your number is eligible.Prepare Your Account:
Your phone number must remain active with your current carrier until the porting process is complete.
Have your carrier account number, PIN, and billing address handy (this information is required for porting).
Initiate the Port:
Log into your Google Voice account.
Select “Port a Number” and follow the prompts.
Pay the $20 one-time porting fee.
Wait for Confirmation:
Porting usually takes 24-48 hours. During this time, your existing service will remain active. Once the process is complete, your phone number will be fully transferred to Google Voice.Update Your Contacts:
Once porting is complete, inform banks, employers, and key contacts that your number now operates through Google Voice.
For PCVs, Google Voice simplifies life: no monthly bills, no hassle of switching numbers, and reliable access to calls and texts. Plus, in emergencies or when you return stateside, your number will still be active and ready to use.
The Bottom Line
Peace Corps Volunteers have enough to think about—keeping a phone number shouldn’t be another stressor. Whether you negotiate with your carrier or embrace Google Voice, there’s a solution to fit your needs and budget while serving abroad.
Choose the option that works best for you and focus on what truly matters: your service and the adventure ahead.
Care Packages: A Peace Corps Volunteer Lifeline
When the hour is dark and all things seem bleak, a good care package is just the thing to lift a Peace Corps Volunteers’ spirts. Learn how to send a care package in this article.
Imagine this for a moment.
You are heading to the main school in your community to work with your afternoon class. Usually you like this class because the professor actually understands what Peace Corps is and has stopped asking why you keep showing up. Just recently, she let you start running the classroom after lunch…finally an opportunity to put into practice the zillion ice-breakers and leadership activities that you spent three months learning.
It’s hot.
The electricity went out and the overhead fan has given off its last gust of stale, dry air. While this is pretty normal, it seems to have the kids a bit more combative than usual.
After class you hurry home to shower. Today is the community garden group meeting you’ve been preparing for. Your first independent community project! The rock on which you will build your entire Peace Corps service.
Nobody showed up.
Everyone told you this would happen. Just keep at it and don’t take it personally. Still, it’s a tough day. To add on to it, the neighborhood cat that you thought you were cool with stopped showing up. Today sucks.
But what’s this?
As you get closer to the door you see a semi-formal note with scribbles that seem to say you have a package at the local post office. Oh merciful universe, the tricks you play.
A waterfall of ideas begin to pour. Gatorade packets? Mac n Cheese? Maybe family photos of your cousins birthday party?
The next day, energy is restored. With a hop in your step, you take the relatively short bus trip to the post office to pick up your care package. With a quick flick of the pen and a small token of appreciation to the office clerk, you head back home with your box of goodies.
What joy awaits? You’re filled with newly found vigor and love. This small package, the contents it holds, has given you an extra breath. Thank you.
Maybe this seems extreme, but a well timed care package can lift the spirts and keep you moving forward just as things seem to be at their most bleak.
Naturally, sending a package to remote parts of the developing world is not a cut and dry thing.
Common mistakes will make the shipment of the package twice as expensive as its contents. Even worse, poorly filled out paperwork may cause the volunteer to dish out a sizable chunk of their monthly allowance just to get it out of customs. This is assuming the package arrives safely in the first place.
To help, we’ve compiled a small list of do’s and don’ts.
Before you leave for your Peace Corps Service, share this article with friends and family. When that first care package arrives, give thanks and then gorge out on Velveeta cheese and sriracha.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Sending Peace Corps Volunteer Care Packages:
Get the correct shipping address (obvious, yes..simple, no)
Ask the Peace Corps Family and Friends Facebook page if anyone has insight into that country
Usually someone will have experience with the country you’re shipping to and can give specific advice
Look up the country’s customs requirements and fill out necessary forms
Fill in the Detailed Description of Contents
Don’t get carried away with this, but make sure each item is accounted for
If the item is expensive, say it is ‘used’. If its not, make sure the value is declared below $10* so the Peace Corps Volunteer doesn’t get hit with fees when they collect the package
*If you are insuring the package, ignore this step
Make sure the package is marked as ‘Gift’
Extra Tips:
Write passages of the country’s dominant religion on the package to dissuade curious eyes
If you’re sending cash, hide it in the pages of wrapped book
Double bag any powder or liquid item
Be weary of items that melt or have a short shelf life
Do you have any care package content ideas? Any extra tips you think the community would like to know? Don’t be shy, comment below and share your thoughts.
Congratulations on making it through this article and preparing yourself for your Peace Corps experience.
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