Peace Corps Prep Prepares UT Students for Service Abroad
- Feb 11, 2019
The University of Texas at Austin is now a partner school of the Peace Corps Prep, a certificate program that prepares students for international fieldwork and to be potential Peace Corps volunteers.
Since the creation of Peace Corps in 1961, more than 1,800 UT alumni have served abroad to as volunteers. Last year, UT ranked No. 8 among top volunteer-producing large universities. The Peace Corps Prep program continues that legacy of global service.
With the Peace Corps Prep program, current UT students interested in Peace Corps can better prepare themselves to stand out in the application process and be well-prepared for service as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
The program provides a way to recognize students whose interests align with the Peace Corps for their coursework and extracurricular service. It focuses on four core competencies: sector-specific skills, foreign language, intercultural competence, and professional and leadership development.
“Peace Corps Prep is a fantastic way to combine so many student interests in one program: traditional international-focused academic classes, cutting-edge experiential learning, service and student leadership opportunities and more,” said Michael Mosser, PC Prep faculty advisor at UT. “It gives you the chance to ‘try out’ much of what you’d be doing in Peace Corps, while also making the most of your experiences here at UT.”
Students in the program select one out of the six Peace Corps sectors: health, environment, agriculture, youth in development and community economic development. This is similar to the process of applying to be a Peace Corps volunteer.
Students enrolled in the program are also required to learn a foreign language and develop leadership experiences during their time as a student.
While having a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into Peace Corps, enrolling in the program will help students be more competitive. But the program doesn’t just benefit those interested in service. The certificate program can also help students be a competitive applicant for graduate school and careers in their fields of study, even if they decide not to apply to Peace Corps.
Education and psychology student Nazlee Khadjeheian said she has been interested in the Peace Corps since she was a teenager and is currently working on fitting the Peace Corps Prep program into her degree plan.
“I have been interested in the Peace Corps since I was in middle school, but it wasn't until I was in high school that I really did my research on what it took to become a volunteer,” she said. “This certificate is a great way to really hone in on skills and passions, as well as provide students from all career sectors an opportunity to gain a global perspective around their specific degree.”
To celebrate the launch of Peace Corps Prep and Peace Corps Week, Texas Global is hosting a film screening and Q&A on Feb. 27 for interested students.
