Tower-Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019 | TOWER 5 Lindsey Becker ’18 (pictured above, far left) is at her post in the Republic of Zambia, a rugged landlocked country whose Zimbabwe border boasts the famed Victoria Falls. She arrived in April 2019, and prior to getting underway, she paused to share excitement, perspectives and plans. Becker holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with minors in Pennsylvania German studies, history and international studies, and unlike De La Rosa, she’s twice explored foreign soil prior to pursuing the Peace Corps. Becker studied abroad in Germany with Dr. John Delaney , professor of history, and also lived in Morocco as an intern, where she taught English to locals and worked for an organization writing grant proposals. In Zambia, Becker is an aquaculture extension specialist teaching rural farmers how to incorporate fish hatcheries that will improve the livelihoods and supplement At TWC, De La Rosa pursued a track specific to international affairs. “This really pushed me to identify my passions. I discovered that my interest in Latin America and the Caribbean could be turned into a career in international development.” During his internship, De La Rosa connected with a returned Peace Corps volunteer who convinced him that he would be a good candidate for service. “Kutztown has been the source of some of the most enriching experiences of my life. My time at KU shaped the trajectory I’ve been on for the past four years. Had it not been for the faculty I was fortunate to encounter, I probably would not have ended up in D.C., or certainly Morocco. The Spanish faculty, in particular, played and continues to play an important role in my professional development.” De La Rosa is among a select group of United States citizens, 18 and older, who have given service in Morocco. Since 1963, 5,165 volunteers like the KU grad have served, 271 of them this year alone. continued on page 6… Another Heart for Africa, in Another Hemisphere nutrition in their communities. Becker admitted she doesn’t know much about aquaculture or agriculture, but said her Kutztown courses in ethnographic research methods and intercultural communication will definitely be an asset to this end. “Zambia is especially useful because it’s considered the quintessential Peace Corps experience. It’ll be the most influential of my trips because I won’t have technology and other Western comforts; I’ll be able to use my anthropology background in its place. Being totally alone will give me the best opportunity to further hone and develop my skills,” Becker said. Becker is among more than 2,000 who have volunteered for Peace Corps Zambia since the program’s start in 1994. Upon completing her 27 months of service, Becker plans to apply to the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program and attend graduate school to study international relations so that she can keep on doing what she loves: helping others to create a better world. At this very moment, separated by a flight path of about 4,000 miles and the imaginary line of the Earth’s equator, you will find a second KU grad and Peace Corps volunteer on the continent of Africa.