Straus said, those reading applications are hesitant to accept individuals who do not at least acknowledge they are looking to get something out of the Peace Corps. Even the video shown went to great lengths to make the audience aware of all the things volunteers get from the experience. Mostly, applicants can expect to gain perspective as well as the opportunity to become fluent in another language.
Josh Straus recruits for the Peace Corps
Oh, the places you'll go, the things you will see
The Peace Corps offers grads the opportunity to explore the world, get experience
Brett Sowerby
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Style
Meet new people, see new, far-away lands and learn a new language. The only requirement is two years of your life.
Conceived at the height of the Cold War in the 1960s, the Peace Corps was inspired by Senator - and later President - John F. Kennedy. In October of 1960, Kennedy delivered a speech to the students of the University of Michigan asking them to donate their time, suggesting two years, to work in developing countries in the name of peace. Those in attendance took his advice seriously.
Since its inception in 1961, more than 180,000 Americans have donated their time to 139 countries. Quickly doing the math, that's almost 400,000 years donated - if you include the three months of training each volunteer undergoes before heading into the field.
Early Tuesday evening, among the buzz of the heating fan inside the Memorial Union's Multipurpose Room, nestled just outside the Progressive Student Alliance's potluck, Josh Straus gave his spiel.
Straus, a recruiter for the Peace Corps out of Boston, spent his volunteer time in Eastern Europe teaching English. He enjoyed his experience so much he actually applied for - and was granted - an extension in his host country. In fact, he was so smitten with the Peace Corps, he became a recruiter when he returned home, a job with a time limit of five years.
Many characteristics were tossed around describing what was important for volunteers. The important traits were expected, ranging from an open mind, patience and the curiosity to explore and become involved in a new and different culture. "There's no real type that join [the Peace Corps]," Straus explained after his presentation. He said that if he was to look for a common thread in applicants, it would be a desire "to make a difference and get world experience."
Straus explained the dichotomy of reasons was part altruism, part selfishness. He told the crowd that gathered that no one joins with entirely selfless motives - everyone would like to get something out of the experience. In fact, Straus said, those reading applications are hesitant to accept individuals who do not at least acknowledge they are looking to get something out of the Peace Corps. Even the video shown went to great lengths to make the audience aware of all the things volunteers get from the experience. Mostly, applicants can expect to gain perspective as well as the opportunity to become fluent in another language.
Whatever the reasons for joining, money is not one. According to Straus, he made about $120 a month as an English teacher. What would be a pittance here in the United States, Straus estimated he was making about four times what the local teachers were. Straus also pointed out that he lived quite comfortably in his host country, as well as receiving a "readjustment" stipend of $5,000 after the two-year commitment completion.
While the informational video Straus showed was interesting and full of insight, showing a series of volunteers living in various countries, the Peace Corps would do well to make their recruitment ads less hackneyed.
Despite corny advertisements, the Peace Corps is not hurting for membership; as it turns out, the government organization rejects about two-thirds of its applicants. That being said, there are many reasons individuals are declined admittance into the U.S.'s international club for volunteers. Many are rejected because of medical reasons. The Peace Corps conducts significant physical and mental evaluations of its applicants, attempting to ensure volunteers can remain in their host countries for the full two years without complications. Straus explained that he would not have been allowed in Latin America because of his allergy to plantains.
Straus clarified that the safety and health of the workers was the top priority of the Peace Corps, saying the budget for safety was essentially limitless. He cited his experience: When needing a plane ride to get to a major city for medical treatment, the organization bought the remaining tickets on the flight to ensure its departure.
Interestingly, over the years the percentage of expertise areas has shifted. When the Peace Corps was in its early years, the majority of volunteers were sent abroad to aid in agriculture. Because of the expansion of industrialization, only five percent are sent to help farmers increase food production and promote environmental conservation. Instead, many volunteers are now being sent to aid in education.
The one piece of advice Straus gave after his speech: "Apply now." He said it now takes anywhere from six to 15 months for individuals from the beginning of the application process to be sent abroad. Those who finish applications now might expect to leave in August of 2009.
As fun as all this sounds, it is a huge commitment - namely two years and three months of one's life. For more information, or for contact info on local recruiters, visit the Peace Corps Website at peacecorps.gov.
