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Rewards from the Peace Corps require time and dedication
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A Peace Corps representative and a handful of former Peace Corps volunteers shared their memorable experiences with a small audience Sept. 27 in the William F. Hayes Memorial Auditorium located at the Boise Public Library.
All walked away with a better understanding of the Peace Corps, due to the stories shared.
Boise State University student Heather Hansen walked away with a different understanding of the Peace Corps. “I never really understood everything that happens in a different culture, or country for that matter. Hearing the stories and watching the initial video really made me re-evaluate my decision. I really want to give of myself and share my knowledge with people of a different country,” Hansen said.
Founded by John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps focuses its main goals on “world peace and friendship.” It achieves these goals by helping people from selected countries meet reasonable needs, and it helps portray an understanding of the American culture by learning the ways of another countrys’ cultures.
“How many of you who are going to be doctors are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?
“On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can, and I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past,” said John F. Kennedy to the nation.
Months later, he said, “My fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
A long, tedious process awaits those interested in joining the Peace Corps. The average paperwork process and physical for a single person varies seven to nine months, whereas for a married couple the process could take up to twelve months. Even after completing this process, only 30 percent of applicants actually receive acceptance. This low acceptance rating is usually the result of passing the initial physical, but later developing health problems before acceptance.
Volunteers must be at least 18-year-old, be willing to give 27 months to a project and have more than just a little higher education completed. The Peace Corps recommends candidates learn a second language, but it is not required. Even if a person knows a foreign language, he or she may not get to travel to a country that speaks the same language.
The average age ranges from 25 to 28, and 95 percent of the volunteers have a bachelors degree.
The Peace Corps looks for healthy, energetic people interested in sharing their knowledge in business, technology, education, social sciences, the environment, health and many other areas of study. After approval, volunteers must complete three months of cultural training and the remaining two years in the country assigned. Volunteers receive 24 days of vacation a year, free medical and dental care, paid round trip airfare, an allowance and a $6,075 readjustment check upon returning to the States after the 24 months of volunteer work.
The Peace Corps will take time, effort and energy. Who is up for the challenge?
MARTEE ORTIZ