VSU students who are interested in indulging in another culture, while helping a community flourish can attend a Peace Corps recruitment event on Nov. 18 in the Magnolia Room in the UC.
The Peace Corps is an independent government-funded agency that sends volunteers to live and work in one of 77 countries for 27 months.
The volunteers must commit to three months of training and two years of volunteer work in their local community.
“We work on the grounds in these developing communities to provide them with technical assistance in the fields of education, agriculture, environment, health, business and youth development,” Rachel Mast, Recruitment Coordinator for the Southeast region, said.
For their visit to VSU, Mast and other Peace Corps representatives will be providing awareness of the opportunities the Peace Corps is offering.
“Right now Peace Corps is growing so we do have hundreds of positions that are still available in 2011,” Mast said. “We are certainly hoping to find students that are interested in serving a global community overseas, cultural integration, as well as providing some technical skills.”
To be qualified for a volunteer position, students must be at least 18 years old with any degree in any field, or at least three to five years of professional experience, and have displayed interest in serving abroad.
For the adult learners who are interested in the opportunity, there is no upper-age limit. “Currently our most senior volunteer is 85 and she is working in Morocco,” Mast said. “Not only do we actively look for college students, but Peace Corps is an opportunity to represent the face of America.”
Although hosting a recruitment event is free for the Peace Corps and interested volunteers, people leaving the country are provided with living allowances and an additional $7,400 at the end of their tour. This is given to the volunteers as “readjustment” money and typically helps volunteers financially readjust to life back in the U.S.
Applications submitted by volunteers typically take nine to 12 months to clear, so students are encouraged to apply early.
The Peace Corps recruitment event and informational will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all students.