Peace Corps

What a way to travel and experience the world?! THE PEACE CORPS! Ever since I studied abroad last semester I have had, what is called “the travel bug.” I want to go everywhere! Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have to finish my degree first and maybe pay off my first adventure to Australia. However, after listening to Travis Axton, I am thinking that the Peace Corps just may be my ticket to experience anther part of the world in a way that traveling cannot do.

On April 10, 2008, Travis Axton, came to speak to my Multi-cultural English class about his experience in and a little about the Peace Corps in general because he is now employed by them. The Peace Corps is an organization that allows those who choose to, use their skills in anther country of need in order to help relationships between the US and that country. It is a volunteers’ choice to commit 27 months of their life in one of the 74 countries and immerse themselves into a new culture. Some of the goals that the Peace Corps has are: to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, and finally to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans by bringing back their stories and experiences and sharing them with others.

Travis Axton spent his time in the small country of Zambia. There, he was part of a healthcare committee that helped establish programs for those in his village. Oh, the stories he had! First of all, when he arrived he didn’t know a word of the native language, yet was welcomed as a chief would be. The people of his village had been awaiting his arrival for months, so when he came, they greeted him with a parade of people singing, drumming, and slaughtered a chicken, just for him. There was one man, James Bond, who spoke English, which helped him a little, but for the most part, he was on his own. He was able to pick up the language and had an amazing time helping the people in his small village. It was interesting to hear the different ways to greet people when you see them on the streets. Each greeting is taken very seriously and will be used even if a person is in a hurry, which apparently, they never are. I sometimes wish that America could forget our desire to always be in a hurry! It seemed like a very social, respectful, and helpful culture.

The internet site for the Peace Corps, (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) is a great way for anyone who is interested to find out more about the program.  What I found was really helpful was that on the homepage, there's a list of FAQ that I of course initially had as well.  I clicked on each one and my questions were answered.  They are questions like:    What is the Peace Corps? What about safety? How do I become a volunteer?  What are the benefits?  This is where I found a lot of valuable information!  I also liked the large world map that a person is able to click on to see if volunteers serve in that particular country.  There are also links to current news articles about the Peace Corps and what they are doing.  All in all it is a very informative and helpful website if a person is interested in finding more about the Peace Corps!!!

There seemed to be so many benefits to joining the Peace Corps that I am definitely considering it for after I graduate. First of all, just the ability to really be left alone with basically no one in a new place, a brand new culture, sometimes foreign language, and just your skills to help you get along in this place, is an experience that cannot be compared to anything else. The Peace Corps does take care of you as well. Each person is given health and dental coverage, the ticket to their country, a monthly allowance, 2 days vacation per month, and when you return from your time, they give you $6,000 to get back on your feet. There’s so much personal growth that goes along with being alone. I hope that I will be able to have the opportunity to join this amazing organization.