The Transy Peace Corps Prep program will prepare you for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service. To accomplish this, you’ll build four core competencies through interrelated coursework, hands-on experience and professional development support:
1. Training and experience in a specific work sector
You will complete at least 3 course units that align with a specific work sector and 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that sector. Choose from the following:
- Education
- Health
- Environment
- Agriculture
- Youth in Development
- Community Economic Development
2. Foreign language skills
Complete at least 1 course unit beyond the 1000 level in a modern foreign language.
3. Intercultural competence
You will deepen your cultural agility through a mix of courses and/or substantive intercultural experiences in which you learn about others while reflecting on your own self in relation to others. Some example courses:
- Cultural Anthropology
- Gender in Non-Cultural Perspective
- Enculturation in Non-Western Societies
- Immigration and Linguistic Diversity in U.S. Schools
- Cultural Psychology
- Stereotyping and Prejudice
- Cultural Geography
- Immigration, Gender, and Race
- Introduction to Women’s Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Intercultural Communication
4. Professional and leadership development
These three required components will strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps:
- Have your resume critiqued by the Office of Career Development.
- Attend a workshop or class on interview skills at the Office of Career Development.
- Develop at least one significant leadership experience and be prepared to discuss it thoughtfully. For example, organizing a campus event, leading a work or volunteer project or serving on the executive board of a student organization.