THE PENDULUM

by Samantha King, November 3, 2009

Peace Corps applicants may soon find themselves in the most competitive process to date as the Peace Corps experiences an 18 percent increase in applications.

The Peace Corps is a government-run program that began in 1961 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy as an incentive for American citizens to partake in global service. Kennedy firmly believed the Peace Corps would be a viable method to promote world peace and friendship.

Stephen Chapman, public relations specialist for the mid-Atlantic recruiting office, said he believes the increase in interested applicants is connected to the recent presidential campaign's focus on service as well as the younger generation's desire to serve.

"Both candidates for the 2008 election emphasized service," Chapman said. "Peace Corps is nearing its 50th anniversary, (and) people still recognize the need to provide service for their country."

Both President Obama and Sen. John McCain spoke extensively about Americans providing service to their fellow man during their campaigns. Obama has continued the trend since his inaguration by giving similar speeches in public places and universities across the nation, especially encouraging the youth of America to get involved.

"Service has become more of a focus in high schools and universities across the nation in recent years," Chapman said. "People are finding ways to continue the tradition. Peace Corps is an excellent means to do so."

Senior Shannon Boone, who is currently applying, said she believes the economy may also be a reason students are becoming more globally involved.

"Everyone is thinking about the job market. Retired people, too," Boone said.

The Peace Corps program lasts between 24 and 27 months. All chosen applicants must go wherever they are assigned. Applicants choose whether the location or their job is more important, Boone said.

The Peace Corps accepts people from all backgrounds and places them wherever the need is the greatest.

Boone is a science education major and hopes to give back by teaching in a foreign country.
"I will go wherever I am needed," she said. "Location is secondary to me."

While those who volunteer are gone for two years, Chapman said those two years are not wasted.

"I would think of it not as losing two years, but gaining valuable skills employers are looking for in the workforce," Chapman said. "Employers are always looking for people who are dynamic and resourceful."

Generally, those who serve in the Peace Corps gain skills such as leadership, resourcefulness and are looked to as primary leaders in the community, Chapman said.

Applying to the Peace Corps is an extremely lengthy process and should not be considered without great thought, he said. The application asks for general information, but it also requires two short essays and complete medical and criminal background checks.

Boone is currently completing the medical portion of the application. She has seen multiple doctors during the last few weeks for physicals and X-rays.

"(Peace Corps) will be your primary insurance provider for 27 months," Boone said. "They want to make sure you will be more of a benefit than a cost."

The application process is projected to take nine to 12 months, depending on medical history reports.

The most difficult aspect about the experience, Chapman said as a veteran Peace Corps member, is the transition back to the States. The Peace Corps gives its volunteers $6,000 to ease the transition, and offers counseling to its returning volunteers so they may find jobs or return to school.

But sometimes the monetary aid is not enough.

Chapman was an English teacher in Poland from 1997-1999. He returned with a completely different outlook on America and how it is viewed abroad.

Boone said she assumes her feelings will be the same.

"(Peace Corps) puts things in perspective to see what we count as need and what other people do," she said.

The government is still working on the logistics to accomodate the expanding desire to participate in the Peace Corps. No decision has been made as to whether extra funding will be provided to match for the increasing numbers, though the organization is hopeful it will receive additional funding, Chapman said.