UC Berkeley alums still flock to Peace Corps

Graduates from the University of California, Berkeley have made the school one of the top volunteer-producing universities in the nation, according to a Peace Corps report released last week.

The 2014 report of college and university volunteers ranked UC Berkeley No. 7 in the nation in the large school category with 66 alumni volunteers.

Janet Allen, Peace Corps regional manager, said Berkeley has produced 3,576 volunteers for the program since its beginnings in 1961, giving it the total highest number of alumni who have travelled overseas to serve:

“We congratulate and thank Cal for its sustained and continuing effectiveness at developing volunteers committed to work in solidarity with host country communities to make a difference and promote world peace and friendship.”

The University of California Los Angeles edged out Cal for the No. 6 spot with 67 volunteers while the University of Wisconsin-Madison was ranked at the top with 90 volunteers.

Cal alumna Maria Sebastian volunteered helping children on the Eastern Caribbean island country of Saint Lucia after graduating as a International Development Studies major:

“My education helped me to be open-minded to different political systems, work environments, lifestyles, and sensitive towards diverse cultures and peoples … not to mention it boosted my confidence in learning a new language and surviving with it.”

Peace Corps volunteers travel overseas to live and work at the grassroots level working on tackling problems like food and fresh water security and gender equality in an effort to promote world peace and friendship.

Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said graduates return home from their tour bringing their experience with them to help foster a more global outlook in the United States”

“The unique Peace Corps experience helps recent graduates cultivate highly sought-after skills that will launch their careers in today’s global economy.”