Peace Corps
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy,
through Executive Order, established
the United States Peace
Corps. Forty three years later, the
Peace Corps remains a strong organization
that promotes cross cultural
understanding through volunteerism. More
than 170,000 volunteers have participated in the program
serving over 135 countries.
The Peace Corps provides significant experience
for individuals in preparing them for life and work in
a global business environment. Business problems
ranging from complex business strategy to bringing
products to market, economics, productivity, and visibility
are areas addressed by the volunteers as they
provide assistance to people in other countries. Volunteers
are provided training and development in key
areas including language and socio-cultural components
of different countries including aesthetics, attitudes
and beliefs, religion, education, and legal and
political elements.
Volunteers are given intensive training lasting
from 9-12 weeks in the host country covering language
through local cultural customs. The benefits of
participation flow both ways, however. In addition to
exposing American volunteers to different cultures,
the diversity of volunteers helps to shape outsiders'
perspectives of Americans.
The current director of the Peace Corps is the son
of immigrant migrant workers from Mexico. His parents
did not attend school beyond the seventh grade.
Today, Gaddi H. Vasquez is the director of the Peace
Corps, appointed by the President of the U.S. Vasquez
is an example of the diversity that is America as we
enter the 21st century.
Discussion Questions
What are the forces in the global environment
that impact volunteers in the Peace Corps?
Of the broad forces in the global environment,
which area does the Peace Corps have the most
impact?
How would Hofstede's model assist the Peace
Corp volunteer?
