FLEMING ISLAND – Nathan Campbell, a Peace Corps volunteer, will be one of the first to return to overseas services since the pandemic forced a global evacuation in 2020.

Campbell has been preparing for his deployment for several years, enrolling in the Teaching English as a Second Language Program at the University of Florida.

“I think there are so many reasons to volunteer,” Campbell said.

He chose to become a Peace Corps Volunteer to provide people with the same opportunities he had in life.

“It only feels right to try to help give others opportunities, help them access the same opportunities that I have had in my life,” he said.

He also said education allows people to have better opportunities and become better individuals.

The Peace Corps partners with communities across the world to develop sustainable solutions to world issues in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development. The volunteers live with the people and work together with local governments, schools, small businesses and entrepreneurs. The organization has had more than 7,000 volunteers and currently serves in 61 countries.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, Campbell will be living in Ecuador for two years providing better education through the Peace Corp education section. He will be teaching English to local teachers while helping them provide a better curriculum.

In addition, he will assist in coordinating programs and events to establish a steady education that will continue to exist even after he leaves.

“I will be working more with my local counterparts, my community there for projects and programs that they want. I’m kind of just working for the community,” Campbell said.

Campbell hopes people will see education as something fun and valuable.

“I specifically want to work with teachers to improve their English education and work with teachers outside of the English department just to improve the education access in general,” he said.

Campbell also said he hopes to share Ecuador’s beauty, culture and food with the people in the United States after he returns.