Kennesaw State University graduate to be part of Peace Corps first wave of returns to the field

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — There are some letters that can change your life and a Kennesaw State University graduate recently received one.

“Congratulations on your invitation to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco,” Christopher McCall read aloud.

McCall says he was a freshman at KSU when a graduate in the Peace Corps came to speak in front of one of his classes. He decided then and there that this was what he wanted to do.

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“It’s definitely a mixture of excitement and nerves. I’ve never done anything like this,” McCall said.

In the spring of 2020, COVID-19 forced the Peace Corps to suspend its global operations. The U.S. evacuated 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries, but now they are returning to overseas service.

McCall will be part of the first wave.

“Over the last two years, people in a lot of the countries have been asking where are the volunteers?  When are they coming back?  So, that certainly was good to hear,” said McCall.

McCall will have to travel light.

On the day Channel 2 visited, he had his clothes laid out on the living room floor of his parent’s home. He’ll stuff it all into a duffel bag, and bring along a special musical instrument case.

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“I don’t think I’d be able to keep my sanity if I didn’t have some kind of musical outlet,” McCall said.

He has played guitar for years, but figured it’d be easier to pack a mandolin.

McCall says he can’t wait to ship out, and be part of the Peace Corps’ 60 year tradition that began when President John F. Kennedy sent out the first volunteers. An American mission to help people in developing countries.

“We’re very excited. They’re ready to go back into it. That’s their job,” McCall said.

One of toughest jobs you could ever love.

McCall will arrive in Morocco on Sept. 14.

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