New program will help U-M students prepare for Peace Corps

ANN ARBOR—Starting this fall, University of Michigan undergraduate students will have a new resource to help them prepare for international service.

The Peace Corps Prep program will provide students with a foundation for Peace Corps service and other international opportunities by offering courses and activities in four core areas: language, intercultural competence, leadership and work sector.

“The program’s role is to create a structured pathway for students by combining specific U-M courses and co-curricular experiences to build competencies Peace Corps has identified to be valuable,” said Judith Pennywell, director of the International Center where the Peace Corps Prep program is housed.

The program is voluntary and available to all students who are sophomore or above.  As part of the program, students will complete two semesters of language courses, take three intercultural competence courses, three work sector-related courses, one leadership activity, and complete 50 hours of field experience in a Peace Corps work sector.

“With record number of applications in Peace Corps, we hope to produce more, and better prepared, volunteers to represent Michigan and the United States,” Pennywell said.

The University of Michigan is the fourth all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers, with 2,684 alumni since the agency was created in 1961.

The launch of the Peace Corps Prep program was funded by the Office of the Provost, Global Engagement and Interdisciplinary Academic Affairs.

More Information:

Peace Corps Prep Program

International Center