ACDI/VOCA Launches Overseas Graduate Student Volunteer Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ACDI/VOCA is proud to announce the launch of the Service Learning Corps (SLC), a program that places select graduate students in overseas development projects.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120308/DC67185LOGO-b)

Service Learning Corps is designed to bring the latest research and learning from American higher education to beneficiaries in developing and transitional nations. These beneficiaries of ongoing ACDI/VOCA development projects are well-positioned to reap the benefits of SLC assistance and ensure a rewarding experience to student volunteers.

Students Can Make Responsible and Substantive Contributions
SLC will give graduate students the practical, on-the-ground experience necessary for jumpstarting careers in overseas development. The program's individually designed long-term assignments will expose students to real-life development situations, inform them about ACDI/VOCA's proven solutions and challenge them to make their own responsible and substantive contributions.

ACDI/VOCA is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes broad-based economic growth, higher living standards and vibrant communities in low-income countries and emerging democracies. Through SLC, students will serve in ACDI/VOCA projects spanning the development continuum, from meeting basic needs in food security and nutrition, to economic growth and poverty alleviation, access to financial services, market integration, gender development and climate change.

An "Incredible Opportunity"
"The ACDI/VOCA Paraguay gender analysis assignment has been an incredible opportunity to expand my academic knowledge and personal skills in gender and women's empowerment in Latin America," said recent SLC volunteer Nathalia Patricia Hernandez Ochoa. "I would recommend volunteering if you seek to work towards true, meaningful and sustainable development."

Working with a network of partner universities across the United States, the program will identify current or recent graduate students to fill volunteer assignments related to their studies. Assignments will be for up to six months; the average will be three months. This longer-than-usual ACDI/VOCA assignment timeframe allows for greater impact as well as a more intensive experience for the volunteer.

To apply, students must be recent or current master's or Ph.D. students in agriculture, international business or international studies. Placements will be competitive.

Assignments Arranged and Expenses Covered
Each assignment will be arranged and supported by ACDI/VOCA staff in the country of service, and students' travel and living expenses will be covered. When possible, the SLC volunteer will be paired with a local graduate student in the country of assignment, thus promoting teamwork and fostering relationships

"We are excited about this new program that responds to needs from the field while also helping to cultivate young professional talent in this global environment," said Diana Roach, senior director of the volunteer program.

Service Learning Corps is an expansion of ACDI/VOCA's longstanding volunteer program. Since 1971, 10,865 expert volunteers have donated approximately $30 million worth of professional time to carry out ACDI/VOCA-implemented development work on behalf of government, foundation, private and other sponsors.

To read more about the program or to apply to be an SLC volunteer please visit: www.acdivoca.org/service-learning-corps.

Media Contact
Anja Tranovich
+1 202 469 6095
[email protected]

SOURCE ACDI/VOCA