UD graduate headed to Ghana for Peace Corps

2016 Jun 1

John McCarron, a 2016 University of Delaware graduate from Downingtown, Pa., has been selected as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Last weekend, McCarron, an Honors Program student and chemical engineering major, received his honor's degree with distinction, walked in the University's Commencement, attended convocation and departed on his Peace Corps journey to Ghana.

McCarron will teach math to middle school students in the West African nation. "I think I've known that I wanted to do this for several years now," the seasoned chemistry and engineering tutor said.

While Ghana's official language is English, McCarron will spend his first three months in-country stationed in the capital city of Accra, where he will take intensive courses in Asante Twi to help him navigate locally.

"It will be so different than what I have been doing for the past four years," said McCarron. "I'm looking forward to taking some time to be introspective, to reflect, and to learn a new way of life."

McCarron was selected for the Peace Corps along with Bridgette Spritz, an international relations major who will depart in September for Rwanda to teach English.

McCarron looks at the program as a way of giving back before moving on to his career in medicine. "I have had so many opportunities that most of the world has never come close to getting. I felt that before I just kept running ahead with everything, I should take a step back and try to repay some of the wonderful things the world has done for me."

Once McCarron settles into his new community this fall, he will look for opportunities to branch out, to perhaps tutor students in science, to practice new language skills with his host family and friends, and "to try new things is the goal," he said.