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Rural Upbringing with World View

Joining the Peace Corps promises adventure, experience abroad, exposure to unique cultures and traditions and diplomacy for the average American.  These global experiences attract so many young Americans, often from rural areas, because it offers a truly life changing experience.  Chris Martin grew up in a smaller town outside of Durham, North Carolina, but he, like many other Americans, has big dreams of joining the Peace Corp and making a positive impact on the global community.  PSAs released by the Peace Corp are targeted at a younger audience, which attracts recent college graduates.  The experience of traveling abroad and engaging in diplomacy stands in stark contrast to the rural American lifestyle.

         Although the Peace Corp is open to anyone that has an undergraduate degree, the majority of members are young, just like Chris Martin.  The average age of a person who joins the Peace Corp is 28 and 90% of people at least have an undergraduate degree.  This clearly shows the target audience of recruiting younger people who are usually recent college graduates.  In just one encounter with Chris you can feel his energy and excitement, which is ideal for a job abroad that presents a new challenge everyday.  This targeting of young volunteers is what drew Chris Martin in, and many other young adults in the United States.

         Joining the Peace Corp involves spending a minimum of two years abroad in a completely different cultural atmosphere than the individual is used to.  In many rural areas of the United States access to unique cultures is often limited, which is part of the reason why Chris Martin is seeking opportunities to expose himself to something unique.  In Durham, the city that Chris lives outside of, 41% of the population is Caucasian and 38% is African American.  Chris describes his school as a place that has some diversity, but nothing like the experience of diversity in the Peace Corp.  This international opportunity is a means to escape the routine of daily rural life.  This lure of new experiences and a complete change sparks interest in the Peace Corp in thousands of Americans.

         There have been many reports recently about the risk of joining the Peace Corp.  Numerous stories of violence and more often rape have been exposed, especially for women who are abroad.  Despite these horrific stories many young adults still have a great desire to join the Peace Corp.  Chris Martin is one of these individuals, and when asked if he was concerned about his safety in the Peace Corp, he responded that he was only worried about missing the ones that he loved while away.  This bravery is truly commendable and is what will guide our world to a more peaceful state.  This inner strength may not be seen in many females that are considering the Peace Corp because of the recent stories of violence.  The threat of rape and violence and the exercises of patriarchy can seem overwhelming to a woman, especially in a foreign country.  Chris Martin is able to avoid this fear simply by being a man, and feeling as though he could properly protect himself, even in a foreign country, because of his gender.  

         Chris Martin has plans to join the Peace Corp after college, and his decision was influenced by his young age, rural upbringing, and gender. The Peace Corp program specifically targets recent college graduates, which attracts numerous young people looking to make a difference, just like Chris.  Chris Martin grew up in a rural area with a father who is a chemist and mother who is a veterinarian.  The idea of the Peace Corp. stands in stark contrast to rural United States, and is a way to escape this lifestyle for foreign experiences.  Chris Martin is confident in his decision to join the Peace Corp. and also is not worried about his safety partially due to his gender that gives him an inner strength.    

Works Cited:

"Fast Facts | About Us." Peace Corps. United States Government. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.fastfacts>

Durham, NC - City of Medicine. The City of Durham. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/eed/diversity_city.cfm>.