With almost 500 volunteers since 1961, Iowa State has been recognized as a leading recruiter of Peace Corps volunteers in the Midwest. Rick Maiers, former Peace Corps campus representative, said there are nearly 30 ISU students currently serving in the organization, and there have been almost 500 volunteers from Iowa State since the Peace Corps began in 1961. “They’re serving and have served all over,” he said. “There are quite a few serving in Africa. We also have volunteers in Central America, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, South America and Eastern Europe.” Maiers said volunteers are sent to serve in various locations, depending on where the Peace Corps needs people and also where the volunteers want to travel. “There are several types of volunteer areas,” he said. “Countries ask for volunteers in education, business, environmental areas, agriculture, health and nutrition and community development. There are lots of specific areas within these broad areas. Countries will ask for specific types of volunteers depending on what they need done in their country.” Maiers, graduate student in forestry, said he had a positive experience serving in the Peace Corps. “I was in the Philippines and Costa Rica,” he said. “I had an incredible experience that opened my mind and allowed me to do things I’d learned here in a totally new setting.” Maiers said at first, it was difficult to adjust to a new place, but eventually he was able to make great friends. “People start to get to know you as who you are, once you get trust from the community. That is a really great feeling,” he said. Matt Haan, graduate student in animal science, also said he had a great time working on animal-husbandry projects in the Peace Corps. “I was in Haiti from 1996 to 1998,” he said. “For me, it was a great experience to go to a different culture and see how they live. It was a good challenge to try to fit into another culture.” Maiers said there are many reasons to join the Peace Corps. “The Peace Corps provides an incredible experience and opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and to learn about different cultures and languages,” he said. “There’s also the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective and to live, work and really become immersed in a different culture.” Haan said there is usually a two-year time commitment for serving in the Peace Corps. “Once you are signed up, there is a three-month training period where you have cultural training and things like that. Then you have two years of service. You can also extend the service period to another two years,” he said. Maiers said there are several steps you can take if interested in joining the Peace Corps. “The Peace Corps has an 800 number you can call, or there will be a new campus representative starting this week. There’s also an office in Room 6 in Hamilton. There are also a variety of returner Peace Corps volunteers on campus to talk to,” he said. Peace Corps recruiters also will visit Iowa State this week as a part of the agency’s fall recruitment campaign. Peace Corps representatives will be at the Engineering Career Fair today, and at the Business and Liberal Arts Career Fair Wednesday. There will be an informational session at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 233 of the Memorial Union.