Peace Corps Volunteers Share Experiences During Send-off Event

NC State’s Peace Corps recruiter along with the Raleigh regional Peace Corps recruiter hosted a send off and welcome back party on April 26.

Newly invited volunteers joined with recently returned volunteers and other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to share stories, learn about volunteer experiences, and celebrate those preparing to depart for assignments overseas.

Fifteen NC State affiliates have been invited to overseas assignments over the next six months. These volunteers will primarily be serving in countries within Africa, which is where about 46 percent of all Peace Corps volunteers are currently serving.

Volunteers are assigned to a primary project in one of six key sectors: education, health, youth in development, environment, community economic development, agriculture, or Peace Corps response.

During the event, new volunteers asked returned volunteers questions about pre-service training and potential challenges they may face during service. Returned volunteers explained that pre-service training, which is conducted in-country, prepares volunteers for many country-specific challenges.

Training is broken down into five key components: technical, language, cross-cultural, safety and security, and health. RPCVs also shared stories of successes and obstacles they faced during service and how they applied what they learned in training to their service.

One apprehension shared by many of the new volunteers at the event was the decision of what to pack for their Peace Corps experience. As the RPCVs explained, the new volunteers did not have to worry much about what to bring, because using what is locally available in their country of service is one of the primary goals of the organization.

NC State currently has 40 alumni volunteering worldwide through the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps serve in over 60 countries across the world.

Learn more about Peace Corps at NC State or connect with a recruiter.