FVSU Peace Corps Prep

What Does Peace Corps Do?

• Helps the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• Helps promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• Helps promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

View the video below to see more about what Peace Corps volunteers do.

What Does Peace Corp Prep Do?

Peace Corps Prep's goal is to prepare undergraduate students for international development work and global citizenship through coursework and experiential learning. It takes underclassmen of all majors and provides them with a structured course of study that compliments their major; to enhance their education and encourage them to apply to become Peace Corps volunteers. Ideally, our graduates would be accepted as Peace Corps volunteers, and use their skills to strengthen communities abroad; however, this should not be the sole measure of success. The enhanced skill set and personal growth through community engagement will help students obtain a direct advantage for employment or acceptance to a graduate program as a result of the Peace Corp Prep Program.

What Kind of Course Work is Required?

For many majors, it is already your coursework. For students in a general major, it may help you develop an interest and create a long term goal. Either way, it is going to involve speaking a foreign language, community service and courses to enhance global understanding.

What About the Community Service Part?

Community service is perhaps the most important part. It will give you actual experience that the Peace Corps and future employers find extraordinarily valuable. Consider the following:

Education

• A campus program in which students tutor ESL peers.
• Teaching in one of these or a similar form: in a classroom, with a community outreach organization, or in a formal tutoring capacity.
• The subject of the teaching may be English as a Foreign/Second Language, special education, drama, or a STEM subject.

Health

• Volunteer or work experience in such areas as HIV/AIDS outreach, hospice, family planning counseling, emergency medical technician (EMT) or CPR teaching/certification, maternal health, and hands-on caregiving in a hospital, clinic, or lab technician setting.
• Counseling or teaching in health subjects.
• Working as a resident advisor in a dormitory, as a peer nutritionist, or as a sexually transmitted infections counselor.
• Significant experience in mechanical repairs, construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hydrology, or set design.

Environment

• Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns.
• Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals.
• Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping.
• Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management.

Agriculture

• Working with a large-scale or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, livestock care and management, or fish cultivation and production.
• Teaching or tutoring the public in environmental or agricultural issues/activities.
• Working on the business management or marketing side of a commercial farm.

Youth in Development

• Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs.
• Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business.

Community Economic Development

• Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, microfinance, management, project management, budgeting, or marketing.
• Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity.
• Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair.
• Website design or online marketing.
• Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization.

So How Do I Apply?

Easily, fill out the application below.

What Happens After I Apply?

You will meet with the campus Peace Corps Prep Coordinator, and we will review your application, do some paperwork and you will be free to begin your journey.

What If I Have Other Questions?

You can email Kiarrica Favors, kfavors4@wildcat.fvsu.edu your ambassador.

Does This Cost Me Anything?

No.

What About the Peace Corps?

Upon completion of the program you will receive a certificate of completion. After graduation, you will be able to apply for the Peace Corps. You're not guaranteed acceptance but it increases your odds greatly. When in the Peace Corps, there are many benefits.
Links

Peace Corps website - peacecorps.gov

What do volunteers do? - peacecorps.gov/volunteer

Cool places you can serve - peacecorps.gov/openings

Talk to the recruiter: Leslie Jean-Pierre ljeanpierre@peacecorps.gov, 404-562-3457