November 22, 2004: Headlines: COS - South Africa: Political Science: Development Administration: Western Herald: Ryan Simpson, who will graduate on Dec. 11, will be the first Western Michigan University student to receive a master's degree in development administration with a Peace Corps option
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November 22, 2004: Headlines: COS - South Africa: Political Science: Development Administration: Western Herald: Ryan Simpson, who will graduate on Dec. 11, will be the first Western Michigan University student to receive a master's degree in development administration with a Peace Corps option
Ryan Simpson, who will graduate on Dec. 11, will be the first Western Michigan University student to receive a master's degree in development administration with a Peace Corps option
Ryan Simpson, who will graduate on Dec. 11, will be the first Western Michigan University student to receive a master's degree in development administration with a Peace Corps option
Peace Corps gives student 'eye-opening experience'
By Sarah Oskey
News Writer
November 22, 2004
Ryan Simpson, who will graduate on Dec. 11, will be the first Western Michigan University student to receive a master's degree in development administration with a Peace Corps option.
The newly-reformed program in the WMU Department of Political Science requires U.S. students to work with the Peace Corps for 27 months.
"We wanted American students to have more field experience," said Paul Clements, director and creator of the program.
Clements, who has been with the WMU political science department for eight years, worked with the Peace Corps from 1985-1987 and said he thinks it's a great learning experience, especially for American students who are not as exposed to problems that Third World countries endure.
There are currently 11 other students working their way through the program.
Simpson received a bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State University in 2000. He heard about WMU's new master's program through his father, C. Dennis Simpson, who is a professor in the WMU College of Health and Human Services. Ryan Simpson had been thinking about working with the Peace Corps on his own when his father came across the program.
Simpson left for South Africa in July 2002 and finished his time there in early September of this year. He never traveled home for any occasion but did have the luxury of having his family come to visit him.
When Simpson first arrived, he stayed in a small village while he completed his training. He then moved to the town of Whitbank and lived in a boarding house.
While in South Africa, Simpson worked with an HIV/AIDS program. The Peace Corps worked with a theater group that attempted to educate people about AIDS through acting.
According to Simpson, one in 10 people become infected with AIDS in Africa, making AIDS education important.
During his stay, Simpson was able to experience a different way of life and learn many cultural traditions. He also learned the language of Zulu.
"It is an eye-opening experience when you are totally immersed in another culture," he said.
On Nov. 18, Simpson presented WMU President Judith Bailey with a doll from the Ndebele tribe that he brought back from South Africa. Bailey was grateful and spent some time talking to him about her experiences overseas. The two also discussed many of the cultural differences a foreigner experiences.
In the future, Simpson said he would like to work with immigrants and refugees. He is looking for a nonprofit organization devoted to a cause he is interested in.
Further along in his future, he said he would like to move to either Central America, South America or Africa and work with people who are in need of help.
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Story Source: Western Herald
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - South Africa; Political Science; Development Administration
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