A Message from the Coordinator
First of all, I hope all of you are finding your balance in the ever-shifting realities of the Covid19 pandemic, both in your academic and personal lives. Peace Corps is making its own adjustments, with volunteers’ service being temporarily suspended in the interests of health and safety, but will resume normal operations once conditions permit. You can read more on Peace Corps' Covid19 Updates page.
In the meantime, I am (virtually) available to talk to those of you with interests in the Peace Corps, whether you are just curious about the experience or strongly considering applying. Since even under normal conditions the application process takes 6-9 months, this is a good time to explore what Peace Corps life is like and what opportunities might be a good match for you. Feel free to write to me at peacecorps@osu.edu and we can arrange a talk by phone or skype.
Peace Corps also has a lot of online webinars set up. Some share the experiences of volunteers in sectors like agriculture or education, others talk about how ethnic identity, gender, or sexual orientation impact one’s experience, and other webinars get into the nuts and bolts of applying to Peace Corps. Or explore the Peace Corps website itself.
The adjustments we are experiencing currently remind me of a period in my own Peace Corps service as a TEFL teacher in Benin, when all schools were shut down for over a month due to political instability. Although our current situation is more serious, much of the anxiety, uncertainty, restlessness and the finding of creative outlets were similar (my response was to paint everything in sight, including my latrine cover & moped helmet). Discipline, creativity and resilience for the good of the community are the essence of Peace Corps, so how we get through this pandemic is great preparation for those who go on to serve.
Stay well,
- Laura Joseph, PCV Benin, peacecorps@osu.edu
Please contact Laura for more information on the Peace Corps. Office hours are in Enarson Classroom Building, Suite 156, Thursdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, or by appointment.
"The toughest job you'll ever love": Peace Corps basics and opportunities
Learn about Peace Corps through the experiences of volunteers with connections to Ohio State in this short video.
Ohio State University ranks among top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2020
There are 62 Buckeyes currently volunteering in countries around the world.The university held strong at its No. 6 spot from last year’s ranking on the annual list. Consistently ranked in the top 10 for the last eight years, Buckeyes have shown their commitment to helping people in interested countries meet their need for trained men and women. The university is among three Ohio schools on the list this year. “Everything I have done during the last two and a half years as a volunteer in central Peru has been possible because of the amazing education and opportunities that I received at Ohio State,” said Shelby Crosier, a health education volunteer. Read more
Join the Club! Ohio State's Peace Corps Club
The Peace Corps Club at Ohio State was established in 2010 to inform the student body about the Peace Corps and community service related projects. The group's mission is to create competitive Peace Corps applicants, fulfill volunteer needs within the community, and bring like-minded people together. Visit the club's website and blog to learn more about volunteer opportunities in Columbus as well as updates and helpful tips when applying for the Peace Corps.