KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 / GRADUATION GUIDE
3C
Peace Corps offers new perspective, opportunity
Students look for new life experiences, job alternatives after college in Corps service
BY MOLLY MARTIN mmartin@kansan.com
All her life, Alli Jones has wanted to run off to the other side of the world.
"I have wanted to live and work in Africa as long as I can remember." Jones said.
As a child, she had heard stories about Africa from people at her church who had built houses and schools there. She realized she was capable of doing
"I have wanted to live and work in Africa as long as I can remember."
prepared to serve for 27 months. Jones said such a time commitment made her decision very difficult.
Jones, a first-year graduate student from Minneapolis, will visit Africa for the first time as a volunteer for the Peace Corps in June. She will stay in Tanzania and work to bring HIV awareness and education to the region.
however, she does not yet know in which country she will live.
Before entering the Peace Corps, Jones and Mertz wanted to graduate with degrees.
this work too someday.
"I still have days when I think,
'What am I doing?'" Jones said.
Some students choose to take a year off after graduation and try something new, such as going abroad to travel, teach, or be an au pair.
Jones is working to get her master's degree in special education. She also student teaches
Chelsea Mertz, a senior from Topeka, will also begin her service with the Peace Corps this summer. Like Jones, she will be serving in Africa as an HIV educator;
ALLIJONES Minneapolis graduate student
Deborah Fraser/KANSAN
student teaches
children with special needs at Raintree Montessori School.
"I like it here," Jones said. "I guess I just feel like shaking it up."
Unlike Jones, Mertz
To serve in the Peace Corps, those who are interested must be
said she had no apprehensions about making the 27-month commitment.
"I'm really welcoming the change," she said.
In addition to serving others, Mertz said she also looks forward to her own experience of cultural immersion.
Jones applied for the Peace Corps in April 2009 and graduated with a degree in unified early childhood in May of that year. Mertz applied last June, and will graduate with a degree in political science on May 16.
The Peace Corps offers an opportunity for volunteers to see life from new angles, Jones said. She said that living in the United States is like living in a bubble
"I'm hoping to gain insight and a new perspective on life."
CHELSEA MERTZ Topeka senior
as people lose sight of what's going on in the rest of the world.
In Africa, jones expects to see how the world works differently. Once she
returns, she wants to act as a witness to life outside the bubble of American society.
Mertz said she has no expectations. But she does want to escape the pressures of American society, such as the race-to-the-top mentality of success.
"I'm hoping to gain insight and
a new perspective on life" Mertz said.
Students interested in the Peace Corps as a post-graduation alternative can visit the Peace Corpse Office on campus at the Burge Union. They can also email www.pacecorps@ku.edu. Recruiters at the office help students through the application process.
Jones said KU has done a good job of letting students know more about the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps has a booth at Hawk Week that offers information for students.
Although the application process is competitive, and volunteer experience is key, Jones said that passion for service is absolutely vital.
Edited by Allyson Shaw
"Make sure you think about it, and that it is something you really want to do," Jones said.
Deborah Fraser/KANSAN
While some students opt to travel after graduation, others try the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps offer the chance for volunteers to see the world.
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