Peace Corps Prep Helps Students do Service Abroad

Is your student considering participating in a global volunteer opportunity, such as the Peace Corps, after graduation? If so, they may be interested in Peace Corps Prep, a no-cost certificate program through the Peace Corps, new to the University of Michigan this past Fall.

Peace Corps Prep is an ideal program for a student who is interested in an opportunity like Peace Corps but isn't sure how to plan for it. Peace Corps Prep acts as a roadmap, guiding students to activities in and outside the classroom to prepare them for global service activities.

According to Peace Corps, students who complete the certificate requirements are three times more likely to be accepted into Peace Corps.

Students in the program will have the opportunity to:

  • Do 50 hours of volunteer work related to the field in which they'd like to serve
  • Network with other globally-interested peers and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, who are current U-M graduate students

The University of Michigan's connection to the Peace Corps runs deep. The idea behind the Peace Corps started at U-M during President Kennedy's speech on the steps of the Michigan Union in 1960 (learn more about U-M’s role in the creation of Peace Corps). This legacy continues today, and U-M is in the top ten for producing Peace Corps volunteers for 18 years in a row.

If your student is interested in learning more about the Peace Corps, and whether it could be a good fit for them, they should visit the U-M Peace Corps office, housed within the International Center. This office is staffed by recruiters who are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and current U-M graduate students.

The next application deadline for Peace Corps Prep will be in the Fall 2018, but your student can start working towards the requirements now.

For more information, see the U-M Peace Corps Prep website.

 

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