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RPTA ALUMNI DRAWN TO PEACE CORPS

By Kalli Sandberg (RPTA '13), Staff Writer

The Peace Corps is a great opportunity for students after college. Individuals coming out of our department are drawn to the experience because it involves helping people and traveling to an international location. RPTA alumnus Nic Turrentine traveled to Fiji for the Peace Corps (2007-2010) and recalls his experience, “I was a business development advisor and lived in a small village called Lavena, on an outer island called Taveuni. My primary assignment was to assist the village with improving the operations and financial management of an eco-tourism project the community was operating. I also worked with the youth running sexual reproductive health programs." One of the exciting things about working with the Peace Corps right now is that the program is going into its 50th year of helping people.

Turrentine enjoyed the experience so much that he decided not to leave once his 2-year commitment was complete. He adds, "I extended for my 3rd year and moved to the capital city, Suva. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader and worked in the Peace Corps office as part of the programming and training team. Part time I worked with a regional NGO on coordinating a multi-unit sexual health project called Stepping Stones in 8 different villages throughout the country.” Turrentine found that the experiences he had living in Fiji have made him more appreciative of his life at home. Working for the Peace Corps and traveling to areas that are in need is an amazing experience that Turrentine is truly thankful for.

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