2008 Woodie Awards
Conquest for peace
Emily Buckley
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Community
If you have ever wanted to travel, help people in need, and experience another culture, the Peace Corps may be for you.
"The best time to apply is the beginning of your senior year," said Humboldt State University career coordinator Celeste Robertson. Last week was National Peace Corps week. Meetings throughout the week informed students about steps to apply. Robertson shared her experiences in the Peace Corps, when she served on the Ivory Coast of Africa.
Marci Fradkin, the new program coordinator for study abroad programs, worked in Kenya for her service, as well as at Peace Corps Headquarters for 4-and-a-half years. Fradkin and Robertson addressed fears students typically have before applying: safety, health care, and dealing with culture shock. "The biggest danger in the Peace Corps is the likelihood of a car accident," Fradkin said.
The application process isn't simple. For students earning degrees in liberal arts subjects, at least thirty hours of supplemental volunteer work is necessary. Additional volunteer or internship work must be relevant to the program to which you apply. This also depends on your interests. Programs for liberal arts majors include: teaching English, health education, community development, and agriculture programs. "The Peace Corps love science students, which is probably why so many Humboldt State students get in," Fradkin said. Humboldt State ranks number 20 out of 30 in our nation for mid-size colleges who join the Corps.
"If you're not a go-getter, don't join the Peace Corps," Fradkin said. If applicants are clueless of where to start, Michael Insalaco, Humboldt State Peace Corps coordinator, can point you in the right direction. "The Y.E.S. house is a good place to volunteer," Insalaco said. Y.E.S. [Youth Environmental Services] provides many volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Robinson recommended resourceful Web sites with listings of volunteer positions and internships available throughout the United States and abroad. "I'm so glad I went to this meeting. I had no idea that I had to start now if I want to join when I graduate," said sophomore film major Jordan Bernhardt.
"The best time to apply is the beginning of your senior year," said Humboldt State University career coordinator Celeste Robertson. Last week was National Peace Corps week. Meetings throughout the week informed students about steps to apply. Robertson shared her experiences in the Peace Corps, when she served on the Ivory Coast of Africa.
Marci Fradkin, the new program coordinator for study abroad programs, worked in Kenya for her service, as well as at Peace Corps Headquarters for 4-and-a-half years. Fradkin and Robertson addressed fears students typically have before applying: safety, health care, and dealing with culture shock. "The biggest danger in the Peace Corps is the likelihood of a car accident," Fradkin said.
The application process isn't simple. For students earning degrees in liberal arts subjects, at least thirty hours of supplemental volunteer work is necessary. Additional volunteer or internship work must be relevant to the program to which you apply. This also depends on your interests. Programs for liberal arts majors include: teaching English, health education, community development, and agriculture programs. "The Peace Corps love science students, which is probably why so many Humboldt State students get in," Fradkin said. Humboldt State ranks number 20 out of 30 in our nation for mid-size colleges who join the Corps.
"If you're not a go-getter, don't join the Peace Corps," Fradkin said. If applicants are clueless of where to start, Michael Insalaco, Humboldt State Peace Corps coordinator, can point you in the right direction. "The Y.E.S. house is a good place to volunteer," Insalaco said. Y.E.S. [Youth Environmental Services] provides many volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Robinson recommended resourceful Web sites with listings of volunteer positions and internships available throughout the United States and abroad. "I'm so glad I went to this meeting. I had no idea that I had to start now if I want to join when I graduate," said sophomore film major Jordan Bernhardt.
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