A recent spread in the local newspaper, the Ithaca Times, highlighted the impressive presence of returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University’s home. Ithaca has the highest per-capita concentration of RPCVs in the nation.
So what is it about Ithaca that makes residents interested in the Peace Corps? A December 2014 Ithaca Journal article profiles Ithaca High School graduate Carolyn Booth, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru for four years. Booth explains, “Ithaca really has so many community events and ways to participate and be involved… Maybe it just creates spirit of wanting to give back in some way.” There are 11 Ithaca area residents serving abroad in 2016.
Cornell University alone produces a high number of volunteers as well, according to a recent Peace Corps report. Cornell ranks fourth among Medium Colleges and Universities, with a total of 38 volunteers currently serving world wide. Ahead of Cornell are George Washington University (43), American University (42), and Western Washington University (41).
In a 2014 Cornell Chronicle article celebrating Cornell grads’ service in the Peace Corps, alum Allie Munson ’12 spoke of how her experience at Cornell inspired her to apply. “At Cornell, I discovered my passion for international health and development,” Munson said. “Peace Corps was the perfect opportunity to gain experience working abroad in these fields in a grassroots, dig-in-and-get-your-hands-dirty kind of way that fosters strong connections with local community members and a deep understanding and respect for a new culture.” Munson served in Guatemala, where she worked to improve maternal and child health.
The map below shows where all 38 Cornellians are serving in 2016.
So, does the Ithaca area and Cornell foster a spirit that drives people to Peace Corps, or are people with the volunteering spirit attracted to Ithaca and Cornell?
In the case of Erik and Polly Holmberg, the answer is both. Polly grew up in Interlaken, NY, just 18 miles from Ithaca and now works at Cornell as Program Coordinator for the Cornell Alliance for Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Erik grew up in Ovid, NY, just 25 miles from Ithaca and works at the College of Veterinary Medicine in Information Technology. In 2010, the couple joined Peace Corps Madagascar at the age of 34. When asked to elaborate on his experience there, Erik shared the following:
We joined the Peace Corps at the ‘older’ age of 34 because we felt we could contribute to our host country better, having gained years of ‘real-life’ work experience. We had always wanted to serve and represent our country with our minds, rather than with weapons, and the time just seemed right. In addition, I, personally, wanted to really see what I was made of, at my core.
Erik and Polly Holmberg in Madagascar
The two biggest things that Peace Corps teaches are PATIENCE and FLEXIBILITY. These philosophies began and were emphasized right from the application process. We had to be patient waiting for our invitation. We had to be flexible with our assignment, as it could have truly been anywhere in the world and working in any focus area. I still say these two words to myself every day, in so many different situations. They’ve become part of my soul.
I love working at Cornell, because it scratches the diversity itch. I meet so many people, from so many different places, who have so much to offer. I feel that my time in Madagascar really taught me how to be empathetic and problem solve, in addition to being patient and flexible, things that help me in my job. My wife works at Cornell in International Programs and is currently in Tanzania with our 21 month old son. No big deal. Our Peace Corps experience helped us see the world as a vast canvas for endless possibilities. Many people stay home because they’re scared of one thing or another. Because of what we learned in the Peace Corps, we don’t think the world is a scary place and we know that most of the people on this planet are nice and good.
In addition to the many human ties, Peace Corps shares several official partnerships with Cornell University that are unique opportunities to combine a Cornell learning experience with hands-on Peace Corps service.
City & Regional Planning in the College of Art, Architecture & Planning (AAP) and International Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) both offer graduate degrees pairing Peace Corps service and academic studies. Students can earn a Master’s International (MI) degree by integrating academics and research at Cornell before and after service. Additionally, students can apply post- service to a graduate program degree program in CALS, AAP, or the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. Students are eligible to apply for a fellowship with the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program. Fellows receive financial assistance for their studies and complete a summer internship in an underserved American community.
To learn more about Peace Corps at Cornell, contact Annie Pease at peacecorps@cornell.edu.
This article was written by Cecelia Madsen.