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Recruiter brings experince of Peace Corps

Sept. 29, 2009

Matthew Hellman | Lariat Photographer Sarah Garvin, regional peace corps recruiter, presents on the field work that peace corps offers. Through the presentation, Baylor students have the chance to get a feel for how a peace corps opportunity can unfold.

Former Peace Corps members share stories of global connection

By Trent Goldston

Staff Writer

Recruiters from the Peace Corps were on campus Tuesday to speak with students about the possibilities offered in a life of service.

Samantha Garvin, the Peace Corps regional recruiter, said the organization gave her the opportunity to change lives.

"I think it's great to be there on the ground, at grassroots level, really getting to know people, giving them an understanding about us and our culture," Garvin said.

After leaving a life as a hotel manager, Garvin joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Honduras. There, she was able to do things she would have never thought possible, Garvin said.

"The Peace Corps has some really amazing cultural experiences that you get. I've had babies named after me. I had the chance to work on some really cool projects," Garvin said. "I helped to bring a university to the community."

Those who join the Peace Corps can really make an interesting impact on the community, Garvin said.

The Peace Corps is a 27-month commitment, which involves three months of overseas training and two years of service.

Valerie Flynn, also a recruiter for Peace Corps, recently returned from serving in China. Flynn taught English there, and although she left with no prior experience with the Chinese language, she said that she has returned a fluent speaker.

"When I was an undergrad, I was really passionate about service," Flynn said. "Honestly I can't even project to you how much it changed my life and how phenomenal this experience was."

When Flynn was first assigned to help train teachers, she was confused and out of her element.

"I couldn't understand how I was qualified," Flynn said. "While I was in China I realized that I was absolutely qualified. It was absolutely relevant work."

Flynn not only taught English, but also worked in a village and was able to get to know the community and integrate with them.

"As their token foreigner they will absolutely protect you," Flynn said. "Everyone knew who I was. People were always looking out for me."

Flynn said that she was able to bring her own special element to her work overseas.

"If you care about something and you have a passion for something, you can bring that to your community," Flynn said.

"I really care about children, and when I was in high school and college I had a part-time job working with adults with special needs."

Seeing how children and adults with special needs typically did not receive an education, Flynn used her prior experience to help start a nonprofit centered on the education of those individuals.

"Special education, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy: This was something I didn't know that much about, but I was able to bring it to the community," Flynn said. "It's totally sustainable and this nonprofit is still running in the community."

Flynn stressed that despite what people think they want or know going into the Peace Corps, their perceptions will change and will grow in the process.

Las Vegas senior Sara Lemons attended the event and said that she found it very interesting.

"It made me really think about the future," Lemons said. "It gave me a lot to think about and it seems like a great organization to be with if you want to make a difference."

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