Finding My Fix: Chronicles of a Travel Junkie

For anyone not from the US, or, more importantly, anyone from it… the United States government established a program in 1960 to serve the country in the mission of international peace. I know, I know, I frequently hear the stereotype while abroad that the United States’ agenda is anything but peace. With the world’s second largest military and most nuclear-active, how could that stereotype be avoided? But I have news… our government has a softer side.

Since the program was created by then Senator John F. Kennedy, 182,000 volunteers have served in foreign countries in jobs such as education, health, agriculture, business, techonology and community development.

The Peace Corps (www.peacecorps.gov) lists its mission as:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

If you, my fellow worldly American, haven’t considered it, why not give it a look? They accept citizens 18 or older, so it’s not too late.

A two-year commitment provides plenty of benefits… loan deferment or cancelation, airfare to and from the country, connections with various graduate programs, a monthly stipend and $6,000 readjustment when you return to the US, not to mention the obvious… YOU GET TO SPEND 2 YEARS ABROAD. You learn a language, immerse yourself in a culture, feel like maybe you’re doing some good in the world, make friends, gain skills, change yourself.

Of course, the world is imperfect, and I would suggest that anyone considering also check out the risks involved… diseases you might never have heard about, assault, rape, political unrest. These are often countries that, sadly, don’t quite have the stability you likely enjoy in your community. But also, ask yourself, how safe are you at home? Afterall, the US shouldn’t exactly gloat about it’s crime rates. Nor should any country, really (http://www.nationmaster.com/cat/cri-crime).

An important related publication is the 2004 Annual Report of Volunteer Safety found here:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=Learn.safety.safetyreport

(In case you can’t tell… I’m seriously considering, especially since I have a love of travel coupled with a tendency to procrastinate things, a.k.a. graduate school.)