In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps Volunteers are putting their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with welcoming host communities – growing, teaching, learning, and making change. Together.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will live and work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects, receiving a living wage and other support as you immerse yourself in a new culture. You’ll build relationships, exchange knowledge, and help transform lives for generations. You will also receive transition funds to help you resettle upon your close of service.

The Peace Corps provides communities abroad with sustainable solutions by sharing America’s most precious resource – its people. Peace Corps service is people-to-people public service and citizen diplomacy at the grassroots level. Volunteers work to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in the following areas:

Agriculture
Community Economic Development
Education
Environment
Health
Youth Development

Through their service, volunteers return home as global citizens with new perspectives. They gain cross-cultural, leadership, language, teaching and community development skills that give them a competitive edge for advanced education and job opportunities in today’s global economy.

Peace Corps Recruiters at UHM

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement is where you will find UHM's Peace Corps Recruiters.
The Peace Corps Recruiting Team are all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and are here on campus to answer any questions you may have about Peace Corps opportunites and, for those that are interested in service, help you through the application process. Recruiters can be reached for one-on-one meetings, virtual meetings, emails and by phone.

Meet Your Peace Corps Recruiter's Team!

Kristina Estrada

Aloha! My name is Kristina Estrada, I grew up on the coast of Virginia and attended Virginia Tech where I studied International Agriculture, Horticulture, International Studies, and Global Food Security.

I served from 2018-2020 in Paraguay in the agriculture sector at an agricultural high school in the countryside. Most of my time was spent collaborating on small projects with my neighbors and teachers. In my free time, I learned how to cook regional dishes, went to the local streams to cool off, and spent time with neighbors drinking tereré. I loved my time in Paraguay, and still keep in touch with my neighbors weekly. The experience brought me many lessons, joyful memories, as well as opportunities. After my COVID-19 evacuation, I became an Americorps VISTA as a sustainable agriculture specialist for a year in rural Wisconsin on the Lac Courtes Oreilles Ojibwe Reservation.

I am currently in my third year as a graduate student in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department here at UH Mānoa! I never imagined my time and experience would lead me to so many new places and so many new friends.

Kevin Sander

Aloha! My name is Kevin Sander and I joined the Peace Corps in 2017 as an agriculture volunteer in Paraguay. There, I focused on working with local beekeepers to improve management practice as well as establish a regional committee of beekeepers to provide each other support and petition the government for equipment. My experience got me interested in pursuing a Master's Degree in Entomology at UHM so that I could better understand the science behind beekeeping and continue to offer technical supporrt to beekeepers abroad. Originally from the Seattle area, I arrived on O'ahu in 2022 and am now a third-year graduate student studying honeybee health, pests, and disease. I also teach environmental science courses at the Hawai'i Nature Center for 1st-3rd grade.

I'm excited and grateful for the opportunities I've found here to continue to support local beekeepers and engage in education - both things I got my start in through the Peace Corps.

Orion Young

Aloha! My name is Orion Young, I am originally from California and I joined the Peace Corps after receiving my undergrad degree in Community Health Education. I volunteered in rural villages in Togo and Côte d'Ivoire, as well as refugee camps in Guinea-Conakry on several health projects including Child Nutrition, Guinea Worm, and HIV/AIDS.

My Peace Corps service was truly a formative part of my life. I was inspired to get back to my Chinese roots by attending grad school in China and then working on study abroad programs for American students studying Mandarin both on the ground overseas and right here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

It is always a pleasure to help those interested in learning more about the Peace Corps!

Watch Video: BOLD Invitation

University of Hawai'i Mānoa
2600 Campus Road, QLCSS 209
Peace Corps Recruiters In-Office Hours

Tuesday |10:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday |2:00pm - 4:00pm

For more information, please contact Kevin or Kristina at pchawaii@hawaii.edu
or call 808-956-6860.

To connect with more Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai’i, please visit: https://rpcvhi.org

(RPCVHI) is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, a domestic registered domestic non-profit organization with the State of Hawai'i, and an affiliate member organization of the National Peace Corps Association.

University Faculty and Staff

Do your students, organizations, clubs, or friends want to learn more about Peace Corps' opportunities for international development? Invite a recruiter for a class talk or organization presentation today! For inquiries, please contact us at pchawaii@hawaii.edu.

For more information, please visit the Peace Corps website Click HERE
and our Frequently Asked Questions page - FAQs

Ready to take on the challenge? Ready to become a difference maker? Ready to change your life!
Take your first step today by applying to the toughest job you'll ever love.
Join the Peace Corps today!

APPLY Today!