Peace Corps changes lives

For former Peace Corps volunteers who spoke at the University last night, the "toughest job they'd ever love" changed their lives.

Last night, while those volunteers shared their experiences in foreign lands such as Botswana, Mali, Malaysia and Tonga during a panel discussion at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., they also aimed to recruit applicants to experience the "toughest job they might ever love."

Current Peace Corps Associate Director Patti Garamendi, who was the keynote speaker at the discussion, was appointed to her position by President Clinton in August 1993. Garamendi spoke emotionally when describing her introduction to the Peace Corps.

"At the University of California at Berkeley's football stadium, John F. Kennedy came out of that football tunnel surrounded by security guards . . . and my life was changed forever," she said.

"When he said, 'ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,' he left behind a legacy that lives on today," she said.

Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1962 shortly after making those statements in his inaugural address.

Many questions were asked at the panel discussion by students considering joining the Peace Corps. Panelists addressed many aspects of the Peace Corps, including the qualifications needed to become a volunteer.

Some requirements include being an American citizen and passing all the required medical exams, Garamendi said. It is a plus if volunteers have an agricultural background, she added.

"Every year, we have over 130,000 inquiries from across the world," she said. "About 10,000 of these become good quality applications, but we only have 4,000 open job slots. This is why the selection process is so competitive."

Christopher Bassar (junior-environmental resource management) asked the panelists how they dealt with culture shock.

Peace Corps recruiter and panel member Tasha Boone said the Peace Corps prepares volunteers before they travel. Boone, a former volunteer in Botswana, said she also prepared herself for the most challenging living situations.

"It really wasn't that bad," she said.

Garamendi also discussed the financial benefits involved in the Peace Corps. Everything, including plane tickets and medical and dental care, is paid for by the organization, she said. In addition, the Peace Corps has $5,400 waiting in a bank account for those volunteers who return from their two years of service.

"This money is to help volunteers re-adjust to their home living conditions," Garamendi said. Volunteers often put the money toward outstanding college loans or graduate school, she added.

For those interested in the Peace Corps, the University contact is Patrick Tobin, the Penn State Peace Corps representative.

Tobin spent time in the Ivory Coast, where there are about 63 spoken languages. His advice for those interested in the Peace Corps is to talk to someone who has been involved in the organization.

"Talk to a returned volunteer or talk to me," he said. "But definitely talk to someone who has been there."