"Peace Corps Returns": How the Peace Corps Increases Social Capital in the United States Through Returned Volunteers

Abstract

The primary focus of this study was to demonstrate that the Peace Corps improves social capital in the United States. The research was conducted in Michigan through interviews with various returned Peace Corps Volunteers. In order to collect data I attended returned Peace Corps volunteer picnics and meetings where I conducted all of my interviews. This data was supplemented with memoirs written by returned Peace Corps Volunteers and histories of the Peace Corps. The results demonstrate that returned Peace Corps volunteers do increase social capital in the United States through increased community involvement.