Wamberg says that her Peace Corps experience has been rewarding thus far and she is looking forward to sharing her stories of living and working abroad, recognizing that Peace Corps volunteers should strive to bring their knowledge and understanding of new cultures back home to their communities. This helps Peace Corps achieve and carry out the essential third goal of the agency – to strengthen Americans' understanding about the world and its vast peoples and cultures. With this third goal in mind, Wamberg has arranged to speak at the "Home for the Holidays" Peace Corps information event being hosted by the Chicago Regional Peace Corps Office on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Hostelling International-Chicago, located in downtown Chicago at 24 E. Congress Parkway. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the benefits offered with Peace Corps service, and attendees will have the unique opportunity to get a glimpse of Wamberg's life in the Philippines to see how one person can make a difference.
Jaclyn Wamberg, who is currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, will be making a trip back home to Barrington, Ill., for the holidays, not just to spend time with family and friends, but also to share her Peace Corps experience with the local community
Local Peace Corps Volunteer Shares Stories from Abroad while Home for the Holidays
By Casey Lowman
Dec. 6, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
Wamberg enjoys a Thanksgiving meal with her friends and co-workers in the Philippines
Wamberg enjoys a Thanksgiving meal with her friends and co-workers in the Philippines
Jaclyn Wamberg, who is currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, will be making a trip back home to Barrington, Ill., for the holidays, not just to spend time with family and friends, but also to share her Peace Corps experience with the local community.
This will be Wamberg's first trip back to the U.S. since she departed for Peace Corps service in the Philippines more than a year ago. Wamberg is currently serving as an English teacher volunteer, co-teaching English courses at the University of Eastern Philippines, as well as providing assistance to students outside of the classroom to help further develop their English-speaking skills.
Wamberg is also in the middle of a project to create a Learning Resource Center at the university after realizing that the current library lacks the necessary tools to support her students with their English learning. "Our vision is to have a space that can provide students with a comfortable learning environment that will also house educational materials and programs to enhance their learning," says Wamberg. Wamberg has received book donations from various international agencies, and was also awarded funding from a Peace Corps Partnership Grant.
Wamberg says that her Peace Corps experience has been rewarding thus far and she is looking forward to sharing her stories of living and working abroad, recognizing that Peace Corps volunteers should strive to bring their knowledge and understanding of new cultures back home to their communities. This helps Peace Corps achieve and carry out the essential third goal of the agency – to strengthen Americans' understanding about the world and its vast peoples and cultures.
With this third goal in mind, Wamberg has arranged to speak at the "Home for the Holidays" Peace Corps information event being hosted by the Chicago Regional Peace Corps Office on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Hostelling International-Chicago, located in downtown Chicago at 24 E. Congress Parkway. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the benefits offered with Peace Corps service, and attendees will have the unique opportunity to get a glimpse of Wamberg's life in the Philippines to see how one person can make a difference.
In anticipation of her visit to the U.S., Wamberg is already excited about experiencing certain comforts of home that aren't easily accessible in the Philippines. "Since I arrived in the country, I have been keeping a mental note of the food that I will eat as soon as I get home. First, I will find a Vienna Beef hotdog stand at O'Hare airport and that will be the first thing I eat in America. After that, I am excited to have dairy products like cheese, yogurt and milk. And in between all this eating, I look forward to sleeping past 5 a.m. because there will be no roosters to wake me, driving a car, and wearing jeans for the first time in 16 months."
While Wamberg is happy to travel home, see family, and take advantage of more modern conveniences, she is also looking forward to her remaining time in Peace Corps, which will have her serving during Peace Corps' 50th anniversary year in 2011. "My job isn't over at the end of a class period and my impact is not limited to just my students. I do much more just by being here than I could have ever imagined."
Wamberg is a 2005 graduate of Barrington High School in Barrington, Ill., and went on to attend the University of Vermont, graduating in 2009. Wamberg joins the approximately 378 Illinois residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 7,847 Illinois residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961, when the agency was founded 50 years ago under President John F. Kennedy.
While in service, Wamberg receives all living expenses, full health and dental coverage, and a $7,425 transition fund upon completing service. After Peace Corps, she is eligible for non-competitive federal employment advantage and Peace Corps Fellows/USA graduate programs offering financial assistance.
Over 8,521 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Philippines since the program was established in 1961. Volunteers in this Southeast Asian nation work in the areas of education, youth and family development, and coastal resource management. Currently, 259 Volunteers are serving in the Philippines. Volunteers are trained and work in the following languages: Aklanon, Bikol-Albay, Bikol-Naga, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ibaloi, Ilokano, Kankana-ey Kinaray-a, Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray.
About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961 by executive order. Peace Corps will commemorate 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world through 2011. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 77 host countries.
Peace Corps volunteers work in six main program areas: education and English teaching; public health; business development and ICT; agriculture; environment; and youth and community development. The mission of Peace Corps has withstood the test of time, and the work of volunteers is as relevant today as ever, with focus on important global issues including education reconstruction, HIV/AIDS prevention, food security, climate change and new technologies. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age, but there is no upper age limit. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment, including a comprehensive training period. To learn more about the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov.
