Julie is enrolled in this program through University of Alaska Fairbanks, studying Alaska Native and Rural Development, or as she likes to put it, “Rural/Community Development with a Cross-Cultural or Indigenous component”. She has already completed all of her coursework, a small portion of which she did correspondence since being in Jamaica, and while here is receiving graduate credit while she works on her thesis. This means that the only thing that stands between Julie and her Master’s is the successful completion of her thesis, as well as the passing of her comprehensive exams, to be taken next summer upon returning to Alaska. If everything goes as planned, we will finish our service here in May, and Julie will graduate in August.
There are many benefits to being in the PCMI program:
- PC tries to place you with an assignment that corresponds with your studies. This is nice, as sometimes PCVs are placed in fields they might not have first chosen.
- Julie regularly communicates with her professors back in Alaska, as they offer guidance on her studies, suggest applicable readings, as well as provide insightful discussion on all topics pertaining to PC/grassroots development/cross-cultural interactions/etc. This has augmented Julie’s PC service nicely, as well as provide more practical experience for a graduate degree.
- The PCMI program has also greatly helped our piggy bank, as UAF waives her tuition fees for the credits she’s gaining while in PC, AND Julie also received a fellowship during her year of coursework due to her involvement in PCMI.
- Plus, having a Master’s Degree on your resume should count for something, and being a Returned PCV must open some doors… right? So, what about the double whammy… A Master’s Degree that worked hand-in-hand with PC service? We’re hopefully talking about pretty hirable material, right? As we start to shift our focus to life after PC, AND hear about the job climate back home….we sure hope so.
And some last pics of Culture Camp:
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