Former Peace Corps Volunteer speaks about merit of joining

11/09/05 - Peace Corps regional recruiter George Rutherford spoke yesterday about life changing experiences in the Peace Corps."The Peace Corps experience is unique to every person," Rutherford said in the Memorial Union to about 30 students.

Eric Bulmer, a returned Peace Corps volunteer from Nepal, also spoke.

"The closest friends I have in life are from the Peace Corps," Bulmer said.

When Bulmer shares his Peace Corps experiences with others, people often say that they thought about joining the Peace Corps as well, to which he replies, "I didn't just think about it, I did it."

After college, Rutherford joined from 1988 to 1991. He volunteered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and worked in fisheries.

Rutherford was a Public Administration major and said he knew nothing of fisheries prior to his Peace Corps experience.

"Your major in college doesn't matter," he said. "We will get you in the Peace Corps if you want to be in the Peace Corps."

For a majority of the programs, no experience is necessary, he said. The Peace Corps provides training. "The Peace Corps teaches you to do two things well: speak the language and the job you are required to do," Bulmer said.

There are five steps involved in the application process. The entire process takes six to nine months. "If you are a senior and considering the Peace Corps, you should apply now," said Rutherford.

There is no deadline for applications, but he said the greatest program range is available to applicants around July.

The application and the Peace Corps program are non-binding. Unlike the military, the Peace Corps is a commitment, not an obligation, Rutherford said. Leaving early is possible. Bulmer said one-third of his group left within the first year. He also said that every time he got frustrated and thought about going home, he would think, "What would I do in the States that would be better?"

For those interested, Rutherford advised talking to return volunteers.

"The more people you talk to, the more you'll have a feel for it," Rutherford said.

Once accepted into the Peace Corps, there is a two to three day orientation in the United States, followed by three months of intensive language, cultural and technical training before the two-year post.

"There are many benefits to joining the Peace Corps," Rutherford said. "You get 24 vacation days per year. You can have people from home come visit you and see what you are a part of."

Volunteers are free to do what they want with vacation time, even return to the United States. "I didn't go back to the U.S. during my vacation, I felt that it would disrupt the flow of being away," Bulmer said.

While there, everything is paid for, including airfare and travel to the location, housing and food, Rutherford said.

"There is enough money, you just aren't able to splurge," Bulmer said, adding that his monthly pay was about equal to $110.

Bulmer said, "I didn't miss the amenities." He had no electricity, the water came from a public well and it was a 15-mile walk to the main road.

"The hardest thing was becoming satisfied with my ability to speak the Nepali language," Bulmer said.