Jackson Anderson—studying geographic information sciences (GIS) and anthropology at USF—was accepted by the Peace Corps for a position in Panama, where he will be volunteering within the environment sector. “I really like travel and I’ve volunteered before, so this seemed like a good combination,” Anderson says. “The Peace Corps seemed like a real way that I could make a change. I want to make the world a better place.”
Anderson will complete his degree this coming December, before leaving in February to serve in the Peace Corps in Panama for just over two years—twenty-seven months. “I was looking for places that spoke Spanish and had an environmental opportunity. Panama was exactly what I was looking for,” Anderson says. “I’m looking forward to being immersed in the Spanish language and making connections with the people in my future community.”
After the Peace Corps, Anderson hopes to work in urban growth and development. “I want to work with city planning,” Anderson says. “I hope to make a city a better place and preserve what we have.” These goals led him to apply for the environmental work sector in the Peace Corps, where he could gain valuable experience, while fulfilling a passion for service.
Anderson admits to being nervous when he began the application process. “I was on edge because I really wanted it. But I realized early on that this is the perfect role for me,” Anderson says. “I told myself that I am the person for this program. This is a good a good match.” Anderson prepared his application for his potential service with the Peace Corps by getting into contact with the Peace Corps recruitment office at USF. “I drafted my application and my proposals with the Peace Corps staff at USF,” Anderson explains. Anderson also prepared himself by completing the Peace Corps Prep Program (PC Prep).
Anderson pictured with a Petroglyph in Ometepe Island in NicaraguaThe PC Prep helps USF undergraduate students prepare their Peace Corps applications, helps with foreign language proficiency and intercultural competency, professional leadership, as well as offering training and experience in one of the six specific work sectors: agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. “The Peace Corps Prep Program gave me a lot of information, and I feel more confident going to the country,” Anderson says. “I know that it made my application stronger when I was applying.”
“I know there are students walking around campus that haven’t considered applying,” Anderson says, when asked about advice he had for interested USF students. “Everyone should consider the Peace Corps. If you know that you want to do it or you’re curious about it, there is a lot of information.”
The USF Peace Corps recruitment office is in the Global Student Center in FAO100 on the Tampa campus for students interested in learning more about the Peace Corps. For students who would like more information about the Peace Corps Prep Program, they can reach out to the Global Learning Campus Programs Advisor at usfworld-gca@usf.edu.