On October 14, 1960, John F. Kennedy made an unprepared speech to a group of University of Michigan students and asked them--over 1,000 strong at 2:00 A.M. on a cold fall night--if they would be willing to devote a few years of their life
working in underdeveloped countries around the world to promote better understanding among
the many nations and their people. When the young Kennedy heard the overwhelming enthusiasm of the students, he proposed a program that would do just what he said--
a program he called the "Peace Corps."
On March 1, 1961--less than one year from Kennedy's speech on that early October morning in 1960--the Peace Corps was born. Since then more than 140,000 Americans have served as peace corps Volunteers in over 90 different countries. The next one maybe you...
General Information
The Peace Corps is an international volunteer organization operated by the U.S. government. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has maintained the basic mission of grassroots, person-to-person development work, combined with intense cross-cultural exchange. The Peace Corps currently has programs in 72 different countries around the world. Peace Corps programs have evolved as the world has changed. While the need has remained for Volunteers to work in agriculture, education, forestry, health, water sanitation, and skilled trades, countries are increasingly requesting help in new areas: business, environmental education and protection, urban planning, youth development, and teaching English, commerce, and technology.
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will live and work in your country of service for twenty-seven months, while helping change and improve the human living conditions at the grassroots level. For the first three months of your assignment, the Peace Corps will provide you with intensive in-country training. While in training, you live with a host country family to improve your cultural integration and language skills. Also during training, Peace Corps Volunteers receive instruction in local languages, technical skills, information on culture and traditions, and personal health and safety.
Although many people join the Peace Corps to help other people, most Volunteers return home with a lifetime of benefits. The Peace Corps allows you an opportunity to polish skills that enhance your competitiveness in any career and graduate program. Volunteers can defer payments on many student loans and receive a partial cancellation on Perkins Loans. Service in the Peace Corps can also contribute to graduate studies through the Peace Corps Fellows Program and Master’s International Program.
If you are interested in an application or simply more information about the Peace Corps, you can contact the UCD campus recruiter at 218 South Hall, 752-8234, peacecorps@ucdavis.edu. You could also contact the Peace Corps San Francisco Regional Office by calling 1-800-424-8580, or through email at sfinfo@peacecorps.gov.
If you’re looking for the beginnings of an international career, the Peace Corps has a job for you.
The toughest job you’ll ever love!