Peace Corps Campus Representative

Cliff Hansen, Campus Representative for Portland State University, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Cape Verde from 2006–2007.

After growing up amongst the wheat fields outside Spokane, Washington, Cliff received a BA degree in International Affairs at Eastern Washington University with a minor in Computer Science. He is currently working towards a MA degree in Book Publishing at Portland State University.

During his Peace Corps service, Cliff had the unique experience to live on an active volcano on the island of Fogo. On the weekdays he would work in the village of Mosteiros teaching English and computer skills at a community center, and on the weekends he would usually hike up to the two small villages actually located inside the volcano’s crater where he would teach English and work with tour guides.

“I’d never really even heard of Cape Verde prior to going there,” explains Cliff, “now I enjoy listening to the music of Tcheka, have strong opinions about the methods for sustainable development in that country, and am starving for catchupa refrigado ku manecon. It’s a really unique feeling to have such a connection with a place beyond most people’s imaginations.”