???For students who wish to learn a sense of volunteer and community, the Peace Corps is a worthy alternative to the typical post graduation humdrum of job searching and graduate studies.
According to Amona White, a former volunteer, the Peace Corps requires the type of person who is adventurous, flexible and creative. Going into it, volunteers need to realize that things aren't going to happen immediately, which is hard after growing up in a culture with an instantaneous mindset, White said.
???"It should be mandatory for students to go into the Peace Corps right after graduation," Amona said. "It's the perfect time-there's nothing holding you back and you are leaving nothing behind."
??? According to Michael Marrone, associate vice president for development and former Peace Corps volunteer, expectations have to go out the window.
???"A good way to prepare for going into the Peace Corps is to study abroad," Marrone said. "The Peace Corps is a two-and-a-half year commitment, so doing a semester away helps students get used to all the changes."
???College becomes a shelter where there are few worries pertaining to the real world. According to White, the Peace Corps has a cure for these post college worries. When volunteering for the Peace Corps the government covers travel, medical and dental insurance, and other costs, such as food.
???Former volunteers have completed their service in Africa, Ukraine, Romania and Cameroon.
???The Peace Corps takes past knowledge and experience, such as major course of study in college, into consideration for project placement, according to Ellen Dussard, director of international students and scholar services and former Peace Corps volunteer.
???"The experience shifts your view from individualist to a more compassionate and community based view point," White said.
???According to Diane Hardy, international student adviser and former Peace Corps volunteer, volunteers go and expect to change people's lives, but may find they are changed by the community as well.
???To really get the true effect of this once in a lifetime opportunity, volunteers need to take advantage of the community and culture they are surrounded by, according to White.
???"The dinners were eaten out of a communal bowl, so everyone sat and ate out of one large bowl," Marrone said. "Some volunteers chose to stay in their rooms and eat bread and peanut butter, but they missed out on a lot: The community embraced those who ate with them."
???Although optimism should always be the main focus, there can be hard times, according to White.
???"The one time I really thought I wanted to go home was when a student of mine died," White said. "He woke up, threw up, and died. He was an orphan so all the teachers had to ban together to cover the funeral costs. It was devastating."
???Hard times are bound to happen while away but according to White, it can be tougher to return home.
???"Coming home is the hardest part. You get used to this community feeling and then you come home alone," White said.
???Although volunteers may be drying their eyes once home, the people and communities they have left behind will never forget the important role they played. Marrone said it's the job of the volunteers to provide people with the resources to complete the work.
???"It took a while for me to realize that I wasn't supposed to be digging the wells myself, I was supposed to be giving the people what they need to do it themselves," Marrone said.
??? According to White, the fastest way to get involved and play the role of volunteer, humanitarian and compassionate human being is to apply online; the paperwork route takes longer.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
