Returned Peace Corps volunteers come to Western
Western's Peace Corps Fellows program draws returned volunteers to continue their graduate study with its benefits
Rebecca Jania
Issue date: 11/2/05 Section: News
"It was also difficult to deal with the fact that when people asked, 'How was Peace Corps?' they only wanted a one-sentence answer. It would take days to fully explain the experience, and even then it would be hard for some to understand," Sanders said.
"Other difficulties of re-adjustment (included) cars, not walking everywhere (and) the pace of life (which is) much faster here."
Western's Peace Corps Fellows program assists individuals returning to the United States from the Peace Corps to re-adjust to life in the United States and to continue to perform similar work.
The Fellows' Web site states the mission of this program is to support the personal and professional development of returned Peace Corps volunteers while providing high quality leadership to rural Illinois communities.
Sanders said she was interested in various aspects of the Peace Corps Fellows program.
"Western's Peace Corps Fellows program is one of the few in the country that offers a full tuition waiver with a graduate assistantship," she said. "It's also close to where I'm from and I liked that. Finally, when you're in the program, you not only emphasize your degree (like RPTA), you take community development classes and have an 11-month internship in a rural area in Illinois and since I'm from here I see the value in that," Sanders said.
As a part of the Fellows program, Sanders said the experience has been positive overall.
"(We have a) wonderful, caring staff, good learning experiences (and a) good support system," Sanders said. "I think the staff tries to provide us with as much financial, emotional and logistical support as possible. And most of the time they get it right. It's definitely a good program for those who are willing to stay in Illinois for at least two years and work in community/economic development in rural areas," Sanders said.
Once Sanders graduates from Western, she is interested in working in ecotourism to help raise the quality of life for those in rural areas through nature and/or tourism.
"Other difficulties of re-adjustment (included) cars, not walking everywhere (and) the pace of life (which is) much faster here."
Western's Peace Corps Fellows program assists individuals returning to the United States from the Peace Corps to re-adjust to life in the United States and to continue to perform similar work.
The Fellows' Web site states the mission of this program is to support the personal and professional development of returned Peace Corps volunteers while providing high quality leadership to rural Illinois communities.
Sanders said she was interested in various aspects of the Peace Corps Fellows program.
"Western's Peace Corps Fellows program is one of the few in the country that offers a full tuition waiver with a graduate assistantship," she said. "It's also close to where I'm from and I liked that. Finally, when you're in the program, you not only emphasize your degree (like RPTA), you take community development classes and have an 11-month internship in a rural area in Illinois and since I'm from here I see the value in that," Sanders said.
As a part of the Fellows program, Sanders said the experience has been positive overall.
"(We have a) wonderful, caring staff, good learning experiences (and a) good support system," Sanders said. "I think the staff tries to provide us with as much financial, emotional and logistical support as possible. And most of the time they get it right. It's definitely a good program for those who are willing to stay in Illinois for at least two years and work in community/economic development in rural areas," Sanders said.
Once Sanders graduates from Western, she is interested in working in ecotourism to help raise the quality of life for those in rural areas through nature and/or tourism.
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