By Kresha Worton
As the nation continues to slide into recession and job scarcity continues to rise, the Peace Corps is seeing a rise in volunteer applications.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate rose from 7.2 percent in December to 8.1 percent in March.
With the decrease of job opportunities, the number of applicants for volunteer service abroad has increased by up to 16 percent.
?In 2008, 13,011 people applied for the Peace Corps service and in 2007 there were 11,175 applicants,? said Nick Hake, the Peace Corps recruiter who covers Utah.
According to Peace Corps statistics, the 16 percent increase in applications is the largest they have seen in five years.
?Peace Corps is a competitive process, and should be approached like a full time job during the application process,? Hake said. ?The economic downturn may be a factor for certain applicants.?
Hake said some of the other reasons people are motivated to volunteer abroad are to help others in need, to give back to communities, to experience a new culture, to share American culture and to further develop language skills.
?The Peace Corps sends all volunteers abroad to serve in countries who have requested volunteer assistance. It is a 27- month commitment for American citizens,? Hake said.
Hake said the Peace Corps provides the volunteers with housing, medical and dental care, and a modest living stipend, which allows the volunteers to live at the same level as the people they are serving. It also allows money to travel to and from the country they are serving in.
Hake also said a readjustment allowance of just over $6,000 is given to volunteers upon completion of their full 27 month assignment.
Hake said the average age for volunteers in the Peace Corps is 27 and the minimum age to serve is 18.
?I think now is a great time to serve because there are so many people in need in these desperate times,? said Lauren Taft, a 2008 BYU graduate involved in service.
kworton@hotmail.com