The Peace Corps Recruiting Office at the University of Vermont provides assistance to individuals curious about or interested in applying to Peace Corps. The recruiter will answer questions you have about Peace Corps, put you in contact with area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), or help you with the initial steps of the applications process. Although located on the UVM campus, the regional office assists all area residents. Working in collaboration with the East Region and the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Association, the UVM office serves as an information and educational resource to area educators, community groups and individuals.
What is the Peace Corps?
Peace Corps is a U.S. government-funded volunteer program that sends American citizens overseas to work in fields of international development for 27 months. Initiated by President Kennedy in 1961, Peace Corps is open to all American citizens over the age of 18 who possess the skills necessary to qualify for at least one of Peace Corps' programs. There is no upper age limit to Peace Corps, although all applicants must pass a thorough medical and dental exam.
The Three Goals
Peace Corps continues to work for peace and understanding using three primary objectives:
1) To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2) To help promote a better understanding of Americans abroad.
3) To help promote a better understanding of other people and countries on the part of Americans.
What Do Volunteers Do?
Current Peace Corps programs include: Education, Health, Community Economic Development, Environment, Youth in Development, and Agriculture. Visit the main Peace Corps website for program specifics.
Where Do Volunteers Go?
Currently, over 6,500 Peace Corps Volunteers work in over 60 countries world-wide. Visit the Peace Corps website to see country specifics.