Peace Corps Week

On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the executive order that created the Peace Corps. At UW–Madison, we celebrate the founding of the agency each year in a variety of ways, and invite the campus and community to celebrate with us from February 25th-March 2nd 2024. In addition to the events listed below, during Peace Corps week you can also see a display of photographs taken by Peace Corps Volunteers in the hall outside the UW Peace Corps recruiter’s office, 260 Bascom Hall.

Expanded Recruiter Office Hours

February 26, 2024, 1-2:30PM in Memorial Union

February 28, 2024, 2-4PM in 301 Ingraham Hall (International Studies)

Are you ready to apply to serve in the Peace Corps? Just want to find out more about it? Come talk to the Campus Recruiter. This week she will be stationed in different locations around Campus, ready to talk to you about the process of applying, the benefits of serving, and what your day to day life as a Peace Corps Volunteer might be like.

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

Application Workshop

4-5:30 PM @ 260 Bascom Hall

Stop by to get help on the Peace Corps application process and meet people who have been in your shoes and succeeded. If you are a junior or senior (or anyone ready to apply to Peace Corps in the next 18 months) and thinking about Peace Corps as a post-graduation or mid-career change option, the timing of this workshop is perfect for you. Come find out how to glide through the application process.

This workshop will be presented by the campus Peace Corps recruiter and Sydney Goggins of the UW-Madison Writing Center. Advance registration is requested.

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Round Table at CALS Global Day: Wisconsin and the World

12-3PM @ Varsity Hall in Union South

Part of CALS Global Day, Round Tables provide a chance to network, learn more about opportunities on campus, and workshop your ideas for global engagement. Once an hour, each roundtable host will provide an overview of their unit and programs. Hannah Bennett, UW-Madison Campus Recruiter will be at the Peace Corps table to provide you with more information about Peace Corps, help you find volunteer openings, and connect with returned Peace Corps volunteers.

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

Peace Corps Story Slam 2024: “A Life Unimagined”

7:00-9:00 PM @ The Play Circle in Memorial Union

Come to hear speakers from almost every geographic area of Peace Corps as they entertain and engage you in stories from their service. This year’s Story Slam theme is “A Life Unimagined.”

Story-tellers share 5-minute stories to illustrate questions like… What was your “aha” moment in Peace Corps? What happened that suddenly the reason for your service became clear? Or that your reason for being in that country, at that time, became clear?

Are you an RPCV with a story to tell? There may be room for you to participate. Sign up here before February 10th.

Check back here for more information as we get closer to the event.

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Peace Corps Info Session

2-3:30 PM @ Study Abroad Resource Center, 3rd Floor Red Gym

Serving in the Peace Corps is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a new language, and make a lasting impact–and if you’ve studied abroad, you may be especially qualified for a post college international volunteer experience. Join the campus recruiter and other RPCVs at this information session to learn about Volunteer experiences, ask questions about service, and gain tips to guide you through the application process. This event is co-sponsored by International Academic Programs.

MARCH 2, 2024

Freeze for Food 5K and 10K

Both races begin and end @ the Vilas Park Shelter

Join the Freeze for Food 5K/10K, sponsored by the RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison. We raise funds to support food security programs of Madison’s Open Doors for Refugees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to welcoming refugees to the Madison area and supporting their resettlement. Register to run in the race here, or sign up to volunteer to support the race.