Job Discussion Forums

[Beg2Differ]

Hi,
I'm looking at applying for a volunteer position on the Peaceboat. I would like to chat with anyone who has taught on a voyage to give me advice and an overall review of the program. Tks in advance.

[Okonomiyaki]

Hi.
I've been thinking of applying for one of their volunteer positions, too-- after I do at least a year of money-earning in Japan to refill the coffers.

I can offer a bit of advice about the Peace Boat and working cruise ships in general.
1) They don't have a boat. They simply piggy-back on a working cruise ship. So, don't expect to be handling anchor chains or wearing embarrassing uniforms with short white pants and large gold epaulets.

2) On the other hand, you ARE working staff in a claustrophobic ship setting. If you have a romance with a fellow crew or a student, and that romance leads to accusations of favoritism OR devolves into an uncomfortable aversion to the other person's presence, then the school and ship have a perfect right to feel you've behaved irresponsibly. Therefore, expect some pretty draconian-sounding regulations like "no romance with paying customers" and "no cohabitating with fellow staff unless you can show a marriage certificate with both your names on it". Also, expect an absolutely zero-tolerance official drug policy, including a pre-employment drug screening pee test. You may also have to pass a fairly rigorous general health check, to be sure that you won't become a liability while far from shore.

3) Just because you're a volunteer, don't expect to be treated like royalty. The students are very likely paying 10,000 dollars per person to make this trip, so the STUDENTS are far-and-away THE high priority, NOT YOU. Your happiness is a low priority. This may include, but not be limited to, off-hours dress and behavior codes, conflict resolution, chaperoning duties when folks go ashore, assigned seating and acceptable topics at meals (IF you eat with the students), and so on. You're the ENTERTAINMENT, not the customer.

4) On the happy side, expect to gain weight. I've been on several merchant and cruise ships, and the one thing they seem to have in common is GREAT FOOD in unlimited quantities. On the other hand, chances to exercise may be limited-- and may be further restricted if preference is given to letting paying students use the exercise facilities.
Expect to get a leeeettle seasick in very heavy weather, and during the first three days, but outside of that you will have "sea legs" and a sea stomach that lets you enjoy any food in any sea conditions. And heck, those cruise ships are BIG-- it takes awesome storm forces to move them in anything approaching a stomach-churning way.

On the other hand, the big ship may not dock often. Docking fees are expensive, so typically a big cruiser will put down an anchor in a relatively calm bay and then use far smaller boats to shuttle passengers to shore. Those smaller boats-- and the ladders used to get into them-- can easily rob you of your appetite and your sea legs.

5) Look at the Peace Boat schedule. It seems to stop in each port for just one or two days, before continuing on its long, looong voyage. I'm a little surprised that they don't let the various destinations take up more of the burden of entertaining the students, but ... the schedule seems to indicate that destinations are occasional treats while YOU, dear teacher, are the main entertainment. So, if you're going because you want to be entertained by visits to oodles of countries, then reverse that expectation.

6) I'm just guessing, but I'd say that the two biggest factors in hiring will be your stability, and whatever bonus skills you bring to the job. I say "stability" because shipboard life isn't for everyone-- the Peace Boat probably has a high staff attrition rate, with flaky teachers jumping ship (literally) at the first few ports of call. So try to look like you're making a sober, well-reasoned decision and that you're committed to doing the whole trip even if things get tough. As for bonus skills: sure, you're gonna be an English language teacher aboard ship, but they'll be hoping for more: can you speak Japanese? Got teachable art skills? Got sailing experience? Been to the South Pacific before? Speak Spanish or Pidgin Inglis? Have experience in some objectivity-increasing Peace Corps or journalism career? Highlight those features in your interview.

Hope t' see you there, 'cuz that'll mean we BOTH made it in.

[Beg2Differ]

What a great in depth response. I really appreciate you taking the time. Yes, perhaps we'll see each other on the high seas!!

[genesis315]

I knew nothing about this so-called 'peace boat'. Thanks for the interesting information. Something to think about.

[Tara2117]

I do know that it is very, VERY competitive. TONS of people want to teach on the Peaceboat, and very few make it through. I have friends who have tried several times, and never got it.

You'll probably have a better chance if you apply as something other than an English teacher. If you speak two languages and can be a translator, for instance. Those are the people who are harder to come by. The English teachers are a dime a dozen, so your chances of getting hired for that are quite slim.

Best of luck anyway! Who knows, you just might make it.