Matthew Washburn '95

About Matt

Matt Washburn graduated in 1995 with a degree in international studies.  While a student at Richmond, Matthew studied abroad in France. 

After graduation, Matt spent four years living in Central Europe and the Balkans working in the fields of education, development, business, and refugee assistance.  In 1999, he returned to his alma mater to work in the office of international education where he was responsible for events and publications for two years.

Matthew left Richmond to work for the Peace Corps headquarters in Washington D.C.  After three years there, he became a program and training officer for the Peace Corps in Mongolia.  After two years in Mongolia, Matt moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where he continues to work as a program and training office for the Peace Corps.

Personal Statement

There is no doubt that the combination of my strong international education at UR and my study abroad in France prepared me for a career working abroad.  I have very fond memories of my 4 years at Richmond. Before studying in Richmond I knew little about international affairs and entertained no thoughts of living abroad or studying international relations. In 1999, I married a Hungarian woman and we have a 1-year-old son who is learning Hungarian, English and Russian simultaneously, and he's already using words from all three languages to express himself.  I'm afraid he's going to have a leg up on me in languages, and can see him surpassing me way too soon...

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