Binghamton University has been placed on several competitive lists over the years, most notably for its academics — but as of this past January, the school is being recognized for a different type of accomplishment.
As the only SUNY on the list, BU is ranked on the “Top Peace Corps Volunteer Producing Colleges and Universities” list for 2008. The annual list recognizes institutions for the number of recruits they produce each year.
Since President John F. Kennedy challenged students to serve their country in the name of peace and friendship, establishing the Peace Corps in 1961, 219 BU students have joined in hopes of living up to his vision.
“I joined the Peace Corps four or five years after graduation because I wanted to find myself and see the world,” said Teresa Michael, a recruiter for the New York state region. “I’m happy to see a SUNY school debut on the list because it shows that our missions are getting across to the students.”
A frequent visitor to the Binghamton campus, Michael characterized BU students as idealistic individuals who recognize that joining the Peace Corps is not just an altruistic act, but one that serves to satisfy their desires in terms of seeing the world while using the skills they’ve gained in college to try to make a difference at the same time.
The report divides U.S. schools into three sectors based on their size. Binghamton falls in the medium-sized college list, which features colleges and universities with 5,001 to 15,000 undergraduates.
While some may have a “hardship volunteer” image of the Peace Corps, according to Michael, the nonprofit organization funds adventures overseas and provides training and medical care, in addition to a living allowance.
Michael said that another benefit of joining the organization is that most students graduate with student loans, but volunteers can actually defer their loans with the Peace Corps.
“It depends on the loan provider, but public and subsidized loans are usually deferrable,” she said. “You can knock off 30 percent of your Perkins loans, for example.”
Donny Chan, a Binghamton alumnus from the class of 2000, is leaving with the Corps for Mongolia this May.
Chan said the first 90 days of the 27-month commitment to the Peace Corps would be dedicated to training.
“They assign you to a country, and you’ll most likely stay in the capital city and learn all the skills you will ever need,” Chan said.
While he understands his responsibility to help others, Chan also said he is excited for the learning experiences he will take from his trip.
“When you’re in the United States, it can be a closed environment and everyone is sort of Americanized,” he said. “And when you go to another country, your obligation is to learn about other people and their language and be in a situation where they learn about your culture and your language. The cultural experience in and of itself will be wonderful.”
According to Michael, the basic techniques that volunteers acquire in the program are beneficial on a broad scale.
“The world is getting smaller on a daily basis and working with diverse people is becoming a norm,” Michael said. “The Peace Corps helps you become integrated in a completely foreign environment and teaches you tangible skills.”