‘We really wanted to bring our experience back to the U.S.’

Colorful rugs, patterned clothing and displays featuring information about different countries filled the Indiana Memorial Union Frangipani Room on Monday, marking the beginning of National Peace Corps Week. \nReturning Peace Corps volunteers gathered in the IMU to show off their displays about countries in which they served. Books and music in multiple languages and various artifacts filled the room.\n“We really wanted to bring our experience back to the U.S. so we can show who served where and talk about our experiences,” said Courtney Bennett, a volunteer who served in Honduras from 2004 to 2006.\nStudents attending the event were able to interact with returning Peace Corps volunteers, visit their displays and ask any questions they had about the Peace Corps. For sophomore Jonathan Dillon, it was all about getting more information.\n“I have always been interested in joining the Peace Corps after college,” Dillon said. “I am glad I got to come. I learned more information about the organization and the different places to go.”\nWith nine different countries represented, including Honduras, Morocco, Bolivia and Kyrgyzstan, volunteers were ready to talk to students about their 27-month stays in the countries they served.\nAlice Luck, a volunteer in Bolivia from 2004 to 2006, wanted to serve another country.\n“I knew I wanted to join after 9/11 happened,” she said. “I wanted to give something back and be part of a solution.”\nThe volunteers said they looked forward to finding out about their assigned jobs in the underdeveloped countries. \n“When I finished my undergrad, I knew I wanted to give back to the world,” said Kris Rees, a volunteer who served in Kyrgyzstan from 2002 to 2004. “I taught English for two years in a local village.” \nStudents interested in learning more about the opportunities available through the Peace Corps can discover what it is like to live and work in underdeveloped countries by attending events scheduled throughout the week.\n“I encourage those (who are hesitant about joining) to learn a lot about the organization,” Luck said. “They should talk to different people. It is a good project to take upon yourself and is a great opportunity to gain leadership experience.”