Being More Than Just a Student at the Peace Corps Community

As a young kid, I had always been interested in the world and the people in it. I had always read through history books about people from other countries, which at the time seemed like other worlds, and their religions and cultural differences. As a young person, one thing that interested me most was just how different those far off civilizations were. Through the lens of a small boy, just how different were those faraway places? Just how similar were we and how were we connected through common characteristics? That young adventurous kid wanted to travel the world and find all the unique cultures and distinct traditions that were once only on the pages of the books I read. Ever since I heard about the Peace Corps, I have dreamed of being a part of it. In this document, I share my personal story of learning about the Peace Corps and explain why I believe it is the best place for me to pursue my personal goals.

It was during my Junior year, in my American History class to be precise, where I learned about how in the 1960’s, John F. Kennedy issued an executive order to create a new agency called the Peace Corps. This new Corps would send representations of the United States to help with foreign development throughout the world. As I sat there listening intently, I began to imagine myself serving across the globe. I wanted to help people and I wanted to do something in my life that was greater than myself.

It wasn’t until the second semester of my Junior year when my AP Psychology teacher began talking about a former student who joined the Peace Corps and was serving in South America. As I began to get involved in more clubs like Beta, Student Government, and Student2Student, I found myself serving long hours and finding great enjoyment in helping others within my school and local community. So, I asked my teacher about the organization and told her this was something I was really interested in. She arranged a Skype meeting with her former student, so I could learn more. A few of my peers and I joined in on the Skype meeting and listened as she shared about her experiences. Two hours had passed while we continued to ask her countless questions about all the places we had only imagined. Hearing about all the friends she met, the people she helped, and the experiences she had along the way, pulled me in and set a fire within me to leave my comfort zone and follow through with my aspirations to serve.

I have always dreamed of having purpose in my mission and for my mission to have meaning to others. I wanted to do something that had an impact for me and for those around me. Joining the Peace Corps seemed to fit that mold. I soon learned that the Peace Corps is only a two-year program, and while this is a worthwhile mission, I would need something beyond this. I have always been interested in social work but have been discouraged by people saying it doesn’t pay well or that it is a hard job to do. However, that was never it for me. It wasn’t about the money or something that I had to do. I wanted a job that felt right, that gave me a sense of purpose, a belonging, a mission.

My desire is to go to college to major in social work, with a minor in a religious or cultural study. I want to earn a bachelor’s degree and join the Peace Corps. I aspire to be more than just a student, but an active member of a student body. I want to make connections with my peers and my professors. I want to walk through the campus and stop and talk and ask questions and learn. I am excited for college and the experiences I will have there because I know that those experiences and relationships will catapult me into the world that I have yet to create.