The Peace Corps will find a home at the UF International Center once again.
A recruiter from the volunteer program will arrive in January after a two-year hiatus. A contract between UF and the Peace Corps expired in 2012, according to UF Grants and Contracts Coordinator Nargiza Ludgate.
The recruiter has not been chosen yet, but UFIC is in the process of filling the position.
“We’re very excited and looking forward to reestablish this office,” Ludgate said.
The recruiter will give presentations to students interested in making a two-year commitment to the Peace Corps.
UF is one of the top providers of Peace Corps volunteers and wants to continue this tradition.
Gregory MacDonald directs a Master International program that blends the Peace Corps and a master’s program together. A student would start a non-thesis master’s degree in plant science, and while they take classes, they apply to the Peace Corps.
“It does allow the student to gain in-depth experience,” MacDonald said.
“There are only a few so far, and a lot of that has to do with students who really aren’t sure of their career path, so rather than start a specialized graduate program, they opt for Peace Corps directly,” he added.
Tarone Thirawatananond, 20, said it’s nice for students to have the opportunity to contribute in another country.
“They’re coming in for a great cause, and it’s great for other people to know about it so they can come together for this great cause,” the UF biochemistry junior said.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 10/3/2014]
