“The Peace Corps will give me the chance to learn about a new culture and experience it first hand, while allowing me to teach those about my own culture,” said Jacobs. “This opportunity will allow for me to have more than just cross-cultural dialogue, but real experience and hands-on exchange.” Jacobs said that her decision to join was affected by the encounters she had with Returned Peace Corps volunteers, all of which were positive and reassured her that the process and the programs were effective and inspiring.
Allison Ann Jacobs departed for Jordan on July 6 and is now beginning training to become a youth development Peace Corps volunteer
Jacobs joins Peace Corps
ESCANABA — Allison Ann Jacobs, 22, the daughter of Paul and Paula Jacobs of Escanaba, has been accepted into the Peace Corps.
Jacobs departed for Jordan on July 6 and is now beginning training to become a youth development Peace Corps volunteer. Jacobs’ work will involve collaborating with a rural youth center in order to prepare youth for future roles in their families, communities and country. She will do this through leadership training, health education and English language lessons.
A graduate of Escanaba High School, Jacobs attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Arabica Islamic studies, graduating in 2007. Jacobs previously worked for State Representative Tom Casperson in the U.S. State Department.
“The Peace Corps will give me the chance to learn about a new culture and experience it first hand, while allowing me to teach those about my own culture,” said Jacobs. “This opportunity will allow for me to have more than just cross-cultural dialogue, but real experience and hands-on exchange.”
Jacobs said that her decision to join was affected by the encounters she had with Returned Peace Corps volunteers, all of which were positive and reassured her that the process and the programs were effective and inspiring.
During the first three months of her service, Jacobs will live with a host family in Jordan to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Jacobs will serve for two years in Jordan, living in a manner similar to people in her host country.
Jacobs joins the 310 Michigan residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 5,930 Michigan residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.
Peace Corps began service in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1997. Since then, 343 Volunteers have worked in the areas of community development initiatives, micro-enterprise development for women, environmental management and awareness, and teaching English as a foreign language. Volunteers in Jordan also participate in special education programs that support hearing and visually impaired students. There are currently 56 Peace Corps Volunteers in Jordan.
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad.
