Peace Corps Applications At A 40-Year High

04:22

October 14, 2015

Peace Corps Response Volunteer Nate Bloss worked as a project supervisor for the "Bridging the Gap Africa" program in Kenyan communities where people and economies are affected by the ability to cross waterways safely. (peacecorps.gov)

Applications to the Peace Corps are up nearly a third over last year, to a 40-year high, Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said Wednesday.

Carrie Hessler-Radelet was confirmed as director of the Peace Corps on June 5, 2014. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa from 1981 to 1983. (Peace Corps) — Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa from 1981 to 1983. (Peace Corps)

This is big news for the government-run volunteer program, which saw a 34 percent drop in applications between 2009 and 2013. It comes a little more than a year after the organization revamped its application process to try to attract more volunteers.

Here & Now's Robin Young talks with Hessler-Radelet about the changes in the application process, the increase in the number of volunteers and what it all means for the Peace Corps.

Guest

Carrie Hessler-Radelet, director of the Peace Corps since June 2014. She tweets @PeaceCorpsDir.

This segment aired on October 14, 2015.

policy