“Global Voluntarism” was last Thursday night’s message from Peace Corps’ Recruitment Coordinator Brian Payne in the Humanities’ Auditorium.

As a global volunteer, Payne’s experience did not rotate around what a Google search of the term may entail. Rather, it revolved largely around the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Antigua and in various other corners of the world.

One of the biggest challenges he faced as a Peace Corps volunteer was overcoming the mixed images he gave being a black American in places where populations were predominantly black. Payne said that he had to battle the notion that some blacks have in foreign countries - that whites are more intellectual - by proving that there is no correlation between race and intelligence.

Also there were those skeptical of Payne with looks begging the question: “Is he really here to help us?” or “what can he do that I can’t?” These questions forming in the minds of host-country nationals seemed to predominate the mood upon his arrival.

One element that Payne said the American media has projected to the global community is the belief that all Americans are New Yorkers - or at least from some major metropolis. And in order to win favor in the minds of people in the modest environments where he worked, Payne had to emphasize that at heart he is just a “country boy” from Thomasville, N.C. In time he would become viewed as “Brian the Antiguan” instead of “that Black man.”

From there he developed an AIDS awareness program via a government-sanctioned curriculum in Antigua. He wrote and presented his program to secondary-aged students while teaching health and physical education.

The Peace Corps is a humanitarian organization that works in the development of world peace and understanding among global populations. There are currently 7,810 volunteers serving in 138 countries.

The application process takes nine to 12 months and each tour lasts 27 months. For more information or to apply, please go to peacecorps.gov.