Fourth-year anthropology student Stephen Bingcang is no stranger to traveling abroad. Born in the Philippines, Bingcang moved to the United States about 15 years ago, joined the Navy after high school, and traveled to South America, Central America, Canada, the Panama Canal, Mexico and some of the Caribbean Islands. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador and attended archeological field school in Peru. Thus, the Peace Corps’ mission of service abroad was something that appealed to Bingcang.
“I looked them up online and saw exactly what they were doing ““ going to other countries and helping out other people. So that kind of fit in with my goals in life to help out as much as I can. … Pretty much, I just want to help out people where they most need it,” Bingcang said.
Bingcang’s projected departure is July 2011, and he will be serving somewhere in Asia, although he will not know exactly where until he is medically and legally cleared in January.
His assignment deals with sewage and hygiene maintenance and education, so he will most likely live in a rural area, building sewage systems and restrooms, as well as educating people about proper hygiene.
Bingcang said he’s not bothered by the fact that he has no idea where he will be in eight months. He is just excited for what these experiences will bring.
“Really what I’m trying to get out of it is just to better myself and to just make an impact on the world somehow, even if it’s just a little impact,” Bingcang said.