Global Connections
Request a Connection RPCV: Sign up to Participate
Benefits
Peace Corps Volunteers in every region of the world work at the grassroots level. Their stories, projects, and experiences can provide firsthand views of cultures not usually accessible through textbooks, films, and other familiar media. After service, returned Volunteers bring home to their communities a wealth of stories, experiences, and life lessons from their time living and serving abroad.
The Global Connections program allows learners to experience different countries, cultures, and traditions by introducing them to customs, beliefs, and service journeys many have never considered. These connections inspire global competency in the classroom and beyond, and give students an insight into the Peace Corps experience.
Connecting
Requestors submit a Request Form, including specific details of how they would like to connect to a Volunteer or returned Volunteer. The educator will be contacted directly with more information to facilitate their connection. If you have already identified a specific Volunteer or returned Volunteer with whom you would like to connect, enter their name and country of service in the Details about Connection box on the Request Form.
Interacting
There are many ways to interact. You might exchange pictures or letters, facilitate a webchat, write a blog together, or have an in-person or virtual presentation. Once contact is made, you can work together to determine the specific time commitment and expectations of your connection.
If you are planning a virtual or in-person presentation, visit the Global Connections Presentations best practices page to prepare for your event. The Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools program also offers resources to enrich students’ intercultural awareness and communications skills either before or after an engagement.
I encourage every single one of you from grade K to 12, please connect with the Peace Corps and a Volunteer who's in the field. The relationship can be as simple as a monthly email. It’s free, and you can do amazing things in your classroom to encourage global education.
Audra S., Global history and geography mentor teacher, Rochester, N.Y.