Peace Corps Prep Program

Fairfield University is the only Jesuit university to offer a unique interdisciplinary preparatory program that prepares students for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service.

Overview

This program enables Fairfield University to reach more students with global opportunities, better prepare students with cultural competency skills, and encourage students to learn in non-traditional destinations. Students are led by diverse faculty who teach within the six Peace Corps sectors: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, and community economic development.

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Learn More About the Sectors

Core Competencies

Program Requirements

To prepare for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service, students will need to meet the following four core requirements:

1. Training and Experience in a Work Sector: Students must complete at least three courses that align with one of the Peace Corps' six sectors and accumulate at least 50 hours of volunteer or related work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.
2. Foreign Language Skills: Requirements vary by placement region.
3. Intercultural Competence: To meet this requirement, students must complete three approved courses or one to two courses plus substantive intercultural experience.
4. Professional and Leadership Development: Peace Corps service and similar international development work opportunities are highly professional and selective. PC Prep requires three specific activities to strengthen students’ candidacy for the Peace Corps, including their resume, interview skills, and leadership experience.

Training and Experience Requirements

PC Prep students are required to complete at least three courses that align with a specific work sector. Students must also accumulate at least 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.

Students will focus on one of the six Peace Corps sectors and complete at least three courses plus 50 hours of related experience in that sector.

Foreign Language Skills Requirement

Requirements vary by placement. Students who are strong native speakers, or who can demonstrate fluency, and who wish to serve in a country that speaks the same language are exempt from taking the Foreign Language Skills Requirement.

Most students must hone their capacity to interact professionally using a non-English language. Minimum course requirements vary by desired placement region as follows:

Intercultural Competence Requirement

Engaging thoughtfully across cultures begins with self-awareness. With this learning objective, students will deepen their cultural agility through a mix of three introspective courses in which they will learn about others while reflecting upon themself in relation to others. The goal is for students to build their capacity to shift perspective and behavior around relevant cultural differences.

If you would like to substitute a studying/volunteering abroad experience for one of the electives, please discuss it with your PC Prep Coordinator. Examples may include: The Humanitarian Spring Break Trip to Abilene, TX to work with newly resettled refugees; an inter-session experience in Ecuador through Campus Ministry, etc.

Professional and Leadership Development Requirement

Peace Corps service and similar international development work opportunities are highly professional and selective. PC Prep requires three specific activities to strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps (or any other professional endeavor). Students are required to:

1. Have your resume critiqued by someone in the career center in your school or college.
   (College of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering & Computing, Dolan School of Business, Marion
   Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies, or the School of Education and Human Development)
2. Attend a workshop or class on interview skills at the Academic and Career Development Center.
3. 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.

Faculty and Advisors