Peace Corps is a volunteer program that serves as a way for you to be of service around the world.

“I’ve always been interested and said I would do it” says freshman Daniel Paillant. “Being from Haiti, I felt helpless not being able to help my country. This would be a good opportunity to give back.”

Volunteers serve in 76 countries including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East. Peace Corps Volunteers live, learn, and work with a community overseas for 27 months, providing technical assistance in six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture, and environment. Peace Corps provides volunteers with language, cross-cultural, and technical training for the first 3 months at their assignment.

It is recommended to submit applications as early as possible so specific skills are matched to openings as they become available. It is best to plan ahead and apply nine months to a year in advance of the target departure date. An expressed interest in a program area, volunteer experience, a college degree, and a commitment to public service are helpful in securing a Volunteer assignment. To be eligible for service, you must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a BA or BS with some experience in specific areas.

“You can qualify for 90 percent of the volunteer opportunities with a BA degree, the other 10 percent are from experience” explained Emily Webster, Regional Recruiter for Peace Corps and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Webster was motivated to become a volunteer for a combination of reasons. Studying abroad had given her the “international bug”, this way she was allowed to go to another country and to learn a different language.

The type of work a volunteer does is determined by the needs of a host country and the potential of a volunteer to contribute to those needs and to the Peace Corps’ mission.

“40 percent of all volunteers are in the education field. It is our biggest field” said Webster. There are a wide variety of volunteer positions to fill throughout the world; however, nearly all volunteers fall under one of the following general categories teaching English, health, agriculture, and community and youth development.

An information session was held on Feb. 2, where 20 students took the opportunity to watch the new Peace Corps informational video and ask more specific questions.

“I believe this will peak your interest in Peace Corps” said Karen Lingrell, Assistant of Director Career Employment.

During the Q&A session, Webster explained there is no age cap on volunteers. The oldest volunteer is 84 years-old and is serving in Botswana. Volunteers are placed in safe environments, are assigned housing and given a monthly stipend to cover expenses. Many benefits including: full medical and dental insurance, a non-complete waiver and fellowships for Master’s programs. There is also a readjustment allowance given to volunteers to help them transition back into the US culture.

For more information please contact Emily Webster at [email protected]