For those who desire a life-changing opportunity, the Peace Corps provides chances to seek adventure, to travel and to immerse oneself in a new culture, said Karl Federspiel, Ohio University's Peace Corps' strategic recruiter.
Federspiel, who was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, said those who are interested in the organization should seriously ponder their motives before going through the application process.
This was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me
Federspiel said. (The experience) has changed me on so many levels.
In order to apply for the Peace Corps, those interested need to fill out an application online or on paper through Federspiel. The application is then sent to the Chicago's Peace Corps Office, as OU's office is a subdivision of the Peace Corps.
After the initial application is received, applicants have to fill out a reference kit and set up an interview with Federspiel. At that time, Federspiel will consult each prospective volunteer to see which area their services could benefit. These fields include agriculture, health and HIV education, forestry and environment services, as well as educational and youth development programs. Federspiel said business and information technology programs are becoming more prominent.
Federspiel then sends the reference kit and his interview comments back to the Chicago office, where the information is evaluated before the office's staff sends nominations to qualified applicants. Volunteers are usually 23 to 28 years of age and have graduated from college, Federspiel said.
They are looking for a broad range of things he said. Education volunteer experiences
overseas experience
language skills
as well as agriculture and environmental experience.
Once nominations are given, those nominated must go through a medical evaluation before the main Peace Corps office in Washington sends out invitations to nominees, informing them of what country they have been asked to serve in. All in all, the process can take up to eight months.
The OU Peace Corps office has 23 people serving and 12 pending nominations. Federspiel said more people should be receiving nominations shortly.
Liz Favret, a senior psychology major, is awaiting her invitation from Washington. Though Favret always knew she wanted to join the corps, she began her Peace Corps experience at an information session last year. Favret hopes to begin her two-year stint in October.
This is the best time of my life to volunteer
she said I will be able to help people out. It's a valuable experience
and it will help me figure myself out.
When nominees like Favret get their assignment, they take part in a three-month training session where they partake in cross-cultural training, language skills and their specific program training. Once the training is complete, the nominee is considered a certified volunteer and travels to an assigned post to work for 24 months.
The Peace Corps provides volunteers a stipend to live from as well as medical and dental care. Living and travel expenses are taken care of as well. Once volunteers return, they are provided with scholarship opportunities for graduate school.
Typically, volunteers will go to a country in a group of 20-30 people, Federspiel said. Unless the volunteers are married, they are not paired up with another American to live with. Volunteers usually live with a host family, unless another volunteer is stationed nearby.
Carson Bennett and Rachel Glickel, like Favret, are awaiting their medical clearance. The pair will marry this August so they can serve together. The pair hopes to be placed in Africa. Bennett said they may not have considered marriage for a couple of years but did not want to face any separation.
Both of us have thought about (serving) since high school
Bennett said. Rachel's parents served and met on a return function. Personally
I have always thought it was a way to see the world.
