Through the Berkeley Peace Corps DeCal, students will learn about the Peace Corps experience as well as the projects involved in the Peace Corps. In a series of lectures and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer presentations, students will see that there are some general trends among the experiences of each Peace Corps member and also observe the unique differences.

We hope to gather a group of people with a common interest of serving others for the well-being of the community in which we live. This DeCal is especially beneficial for people who are planning to apply to the Peace Corps. We will hold Returned Peace Corps Volunteer panels and presentations, so we can learn about Peace Corps service projects abroad and the necessary skills for service. Even if you do not intend to apply to the Peace Corps, this course can be relevant to you, as it focuses on factors key to public service, including: cross-cultural competence, geographical knowledge, and communication skills. If you are passionate about public service and cross-cultural understanding, this is the course for you!

This course is a great curriculum for anyone interested in community development, foreign affairs, international travel, developing economies, ESL teaching, computer skills training, health care development, hygiene education, agriculture & environmental studies, youth development, business development, microfinance, economic development, public service, public policy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.