Amanda Richardson served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal



"It's important to know how people work in ambiguous and unstructured circumstances, how adaptable and culturally adaptable they are," she said. "Will they cut their hair or live in a foreign country without certain amenities?"

Amanda Richardson served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal

Peace and joy

Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
By Julia Melloni
Correspondent

[Excerpt]

"Once I got a feel for the community and people's attitude of service, it's easy to see that people in Vermont want to give back. It doesn't surprise me that so many people are interested in Peace Corps," said Richardson, who is originally from Idaho.

Richardson, 27, served in the Peace Corps in Nepal in 2003 and 2004. With a graduate assistantship from the University of Vermont and the Peace Corps, Richardson acts as the state recruiter to help pay for her master's degree in community development and applied economics.

Richardson works with the public and students from UVM and other schools throughout the state to promote the Peace Corps' mission of service in developing countries while making sure individuals have the right fit and attitude for the work.

"It's important to know how people work in ambiguous and unstructured circumstances, how adaptable and culturally adaptable they are," she said. "Will they cut their hair or live in a foreign country without certain amenities?"

Joining the Corps

Richardson said the Peace Corps is looking for a general attitude and the right mindset from people with a wide range of backgrounds and skills.

Once an applicant receives an invitation to serve in a specific country, the Peace Corps provides a monthly stipend and three months of training in that country so people can learn the language, learn about the culture and get a sense of the job they will perform for two years.

"I get approached by a lot of people who don't even know what Peace Corps is. The training Peace Corps offers is one of the most unique aspects; very few organizations are going to provide the training the Peace Corps does," Richardson said.

The Peace Corps provides airfare, food, housing, pocket money and medications for volunteers. The monthly living allowance covers costs equivalent to a middle-class income in that country.

Applicants have to commit to 27 months -- two years of service plus the three-month training -- and must have a college degree. Upon completion of service, volunteers receive approximately $6,000 to help them transition back to life in the States.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: December, 2007; Peace Corps Nepal; Directory of Nepal RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Nepal RPCVs; Recruitment