Peace Corps

           The Peace Corps was started by John F. Kennedy when he challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country by going to foreign third world countries and working towards improving these countries and making ties and friendships with these countries and the United States. According to the Peace Corps website “Today More than 190,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.” The three goals and mission of the Peace Corp are to:”(1) Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. (2)Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. (3)Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans” (Peace Corps Website). When committing to the peace corps volunteers commit for 27 months. They are placed in a country by their abilities and where there talents are most needed in a certain country.  When working for the Peace Corp you are basically helping out the countries government in which you are placed. You live there and interact with the community and are immersed in the culture of that country. You go through three months of training in your country, this is where you learn all about the country and how to react socially with those that live in the country.  You stay with a family does not speak English and it helps you immerse yourself into their culture. Then you start your job and start help working towards the betterment of the country you are assigned to. Benefits of the Peace Corp is that your tickets to and from the country are paid for. You receive housing allowance and medical benefits.

      On April 10, 2008, Travis Axon a Peace Corp Representative came to our class and shared his experiences while has serving in the Peace Corp. Travis was placed in Zambia, Africa. He shared his stories and how he learned to adapt to the culture. He said that one thing he had to adapt to with the Zambia culture was that it was rude if you do not stop and say hello and acknowledge everyone that you pass. He says that there are certain handshakes that he had to learn also. I found his stories very interesting and his information very helpful. He said that after he graduated college he was unsure on what he wanted to do, and Peace Corp became an option for him and he took it. He said that it was one of the best things he ever did. I think that this would be a great opportunity for anyone. For me I already know what I want to do when I graduate so I do not see myself joining the Peace Corp. I am also unsure on how I would be able to adapt to a third world country. However, I know that there are many people that have joined the Peace Corp and have done great things and have brought back great stories to tell others back here in the United States, just like Travis Axton did for us.

Peace Corp Website: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm