[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In La Primavera. For the first year I lived in the town of La Primavera with a mom who had, her kid was in the eco club. And so the volunteer before me set that up. But after about a year in I started understanding Spanish more and understanding the town dynamics. I was living in a very contested place with people who had a long standing dispute, and it was really interfering with my ability to do anything in the town. So I moved into the city, into Guadalajara.

[Assistant] What was the, what was the problem there?

[User] It was a, it was an inner familial conflict over the house. And I was in the middle of it, basically.

[Assistant] So then you moved into an apartment by yourself or?

[User] Yeah, in the middle, in the central of Guadalajara. Yeah, it was a lot better.

[Assistant] That was a lot better?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It was a, it was an inner familial conflict over the house. And I was in the middle of it, basically.

[Assistant] So then you moved into an apartment by yourself or?

[User] Yeah, in the middle, in the central of Guadalajara. Yeah, it was a lot better.

[Assistant] That was a lot better?

[User] It was a lot better. And, I mean, I had an hour commute to the office, but then I was seen much more as a neutral party in the town. And I continued to go to the town and to do my projects there. I started about, after about a year, I started organizing about six moms of the eco club kids. Those were the ones who showed up after all the public meetings. Um, a project to train them how to run a recycling collection center. So we did a, quite a long time, quite a long training program where we talked about reduce, reuse, recycling. I educated them about all of the traffic or trash gyres, the plastic islands in the oceans and things like that. And then we built a bodega to collect recyclable materials from the school. Kids would bring the materials to school and collect them at school, transfer them to the bodega, and then they would sell them, sell the materials once they had enough, to garner some money and just to fund small projects in the town, not really as an real income.

[Assistant] So you set up that whole project.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It was a lot better. And, I mean, I had an hour commute to the office, but then I was seen much more as a neutral party in the town. And I continued to go to the town and to do my projects there. I started about, after about a year, I started organizing about six moms of the eco club kids. Those were the ones who showed up after all the public meetings. Um, a project to train them how to run a recycling collection center. So we did a, quite a long time, quite a long training program where we talked about reduce, reuse, recycling. I educated them about all of the traffic or trash gyres, the plastic islands in the oceans and things like that. And then we built a bodega to collect recyclable materials from the school. Kids would bring the materials to school and collect them at school, transfer them to the bodega, and then they would sell them, sell the materials once they had enough, to garner some money and just to fund small projects in the town, not really as an real income.

[Assistant] So you set up that whole project.

[User] Yeah. And it was funded by a Mexican nonprofit.

[Assistant] That's great.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] What kind of materials were they?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. And it was funded by a Mexican nonprofit.

[Assistant] That's great.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] What kind of materials were they?

[User] Plastic mostly. Beer cans, but mostly plastic bottles and milk bottles and things like that.

[Assistant] So. Um, did. I know this is a big issue for later on as well. Did your sexuality play any role in your interactions in Mexico, or did people not care or not even pay attention or?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] What kind of materials were they?

[User] Plastic mostly. Beer cans, but mostly plastic bottles and milk bottles and things like that.

[Assistant] So. Um, did. I know this is a big issue for later on as well. Did your sexuality play any role in your interactions in Mexico, or did people not care or not even pay attention or?

[User] Oh yeah, all the, people really didn't care. They really didn't pay attention. The signals are different in every culture. Um, so we think it's someone's really obvious here. They're not going to be obvious in another culture. Um, some of the moms were curious when I, you know, would sort of evade some of their questions. And, and then once I had relationships with them, and they were about my same age so I was honest with them, and they were more curious than anything. And I, you know, of course, I was on Facebook and I decided if I was going to be friends with people on Facebook, they were just going to find out because I wasn't going to edit myself. And, um, but I also just, I didn't talk about it a lot. I dated one person, um, maybe for about six months, but. Yeah, I didn't. We weren't that, it wasn't that great of a relationship. So it's not like it was going anywhere.

[Assistant] Was there a big, was there a big community in?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Plastic mostly. Beer cans, but mostly plastic bottles and milk bottles and things like that.

[Assistant] So. Um, did. I know this is a big issue for later on as well. Did your sexuality play any role in your interactions in Mexico, or did people not care or not even pay attention or?

[User] Oh yeah, all the, people really didn't care. They really didn't pay attention. The signals are different in every culture. Um, so we think it's someone's really obvious here. They're not going to be obvious in another culture. Um, some of the moms were curious when I, you know, would sort of evade some of their questions. And, and then once I had relationships with them, and they were about my same age so I was honest with them, and they were more curious than anything. And I, you know, of course, I was on Facebook and I decided if I was going to be friends with people on Facebook, they were just going to find out because I wasn't going to edit myself. And, um, but I also just, I didn't talk about it a lot. I dated one person, um, maybe for about six months, but. Yeah, I didn't. We weren't that, it wasn't that great of a relationship. So it's not like it was going anywhere.

[Assistant] Was there a big, was there a big community in?

[User] In Guadalajara. Yeah, Guadalajara is considered the San Francisco of Mexico. So yeah, there were a lot of gay people.

[Assistant] So people chose.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In Guadalajara. Yeah, Guadalajara is considered the San Francisco of Mexico. So yeah, there were a lot of gay people.

[Assistant] So people chose.

[User] And it was, yeah.

[Assistant] Nobody cared.

[User] Not really. I mean, people would stare at me on the street, but that's no different than here. So.

[Assistant] So that was a good thing. Okay. So you did that, you did that same job for two years.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And it was, yeah.

[Assistant] Nobody cared.

[User] Not really. I mean, people would stare at me on the street, but that's no different than here. So.

[Assistant] So that was a good thing. Okay. So you did that, you did that same job for two years.

[User] Three. I extended for a third year to finish that project with the bodega. And then I did an organic gardening project, mostly with the same women, but then a few other people added. We ended up building 11 organic gardens. And there was no communal land, so we couldn't do a community garden. So we did individual gardens. And that was a SPA grant.

[Assistant] SPA? What is SPA?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not really. I mean, people would stare at me on the street, but that's no different than here. So.

[Assistant] So that was a good thing. Okay. So you did that, you did that same job for two years.

[User] Three. I extended for a third year to finish that project with the bodega. And then I did an organic gardening project, mostly with the same women, but then a few other people added. We ended up building 11 organic gardens. And there was no communal land, so we couldn't do a community garden. So we did individual gardens. And that was a SPA grant.

[Assistant] SPA? What is SPA?

[User] Uh, it's funded by USAID.

[Assistant] What does SPA stand for?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Three. I extended for a third year to finish that project with the bodega. And then I did an organic gardening project, mostly with the same women, but then a few other people added. We ended up building 11 organic gardens. And there was no communal land, so we couldn't do a community garden. So we did individual gardens. And that was a SPA grant.

[Assistant] SPA? What is SPA?

[User] Uh, it's funded by USAID.

[Assistant] What does SPA stand for?

[User] Special Projects Assistance, I think. They're pretty small grants, I think less than $10,000.

[Assistant] So you, you had, um, you had applied for that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, it's funded by USAID.

[Assistant] What does SPA stand for?

[User] Special Projects Assistance, I think. They're pretty small grants, I think less than $10,000.

[Assistant] So you, you had, um, you had applied for that?

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So. So you said that what you did in Mexico had a lot to do with what you did later on. I know you, after this job, um, you became the diversity and inclusion person in Mexico. How did that all evolve.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Special Projects Assistance, I think. They're pretty small grants, I think less than $10,000.

[Assistant] So you, you had, um, you had applied for that?

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So. So you said that what you did in Mexico had a lot to do with what you did later on. I know you, after this job, um, you became the diversity and inclusion person in Mexico. How did that all evolve.

[User]
In two, well, I'm not exactly sure what year it was launched, but in 2014, um, Mexico hosted a same sex couple initiative training. It was a week long training for the Mexican staff, well, for post staff. So they did these trainings at several posts around the world to train the staff to be ready to receive a same sex couple once the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down and the Supreme Court passed gay marriage. I don't, however, that happened, because I was in Peace Corps, so I don't remember how that happened exactly. But, um. To create a pathway basically. And so we had that training. And after a couple of those trainings, the staff that was giving that training realized that staff, post staff needed intercultural competence, diversity, and inclusion training writ large. And so they modified that. And that's a training they do now.

But as part of the training in Mexico, all of the staff participated. And they had a panel of six volunteers who had been active and involved and vocal about things needed to be changing, changed, or were giving trainings on different things. And I had been the chair of the volunteer advisory committee and had done several other things, doing trainings on diversity sort of trainings, trying to improve how the Mexican staff were helping the volunteers come in and team build in order to support each other throughout their two years of service.

[Assistant] Broader than sexual orientation.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. I, to start talking about identity and diversity, all of that generally. Um, and so, the six of us participated in the training the whole week. And then the last day we did action planning, the staff did action planning and we did planning. And we decided to create two different committees, a peer support network and a diversity and inclusion network. Peer support to do direct peer support, especially with incoming volunteers in their first three months of service, call and check in on them all the time. And then a diversity inclusion network to help with supporting incoming volunteers in navigating their differences in the Mexican culture, with each other, and also to help educate incoming volunteers more about the diversity of Mexico. And the way different, especially the way we think of our major identity aspects, how that plays out in Mexico.

[Assistant] Where it's basically different tribes or indigenous people versus?

[User] Well, it's, actually it's very interesting. There's a pretty significant population that identifies as white. The majority identify as mestizo. Um, there are Afro descendant people, Afro Mexicanos, and they were only included in a census in 2015. There's a lot of racism and colorism issues in Mexico. And then talking about the different religions, different immigrant populations. There's significant populations of Koreans, Japanese.

[Assistant] Really?

[User] All sorts of different kinds of people, yeah, all throughout Mexico.

[Assistant] Which you don't hear about very much at all.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, it's, actually it's very interesting. There's a pretty significant population that identifies as white. The majority identify as mestizo. Um, there are Afro descendant people, Afro Mexicanos, and they were only included in a census in 2015. There's a lot of racism and colorism issues in Mexico. And then talking about the different religions, different immigrant populations. There's significant populations of Koreans, Japanese.

[Assistant] Really?

[User] All sorts of different kinds of people, yeah, all throughout Mexico.

[Assistant] Which you don't hear about very much at all.

[User] No, not at all. Yeah. But it's, I mean, it's a huge country. So yeah, there are, people are, there's all sorts of different kinds of people there. I mean, Frida Kahlo's father was a Lebanese immigrant.

[Assistant] I didn't know that.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, not at all. Yeah. But it's, I mean, it's a huge country. So yeah, there are, people are, there's all sorts of different kinds of people there. I mean, Frida Kahlo's father was a Lebanese immigrant.

[Assistant] I didn't know that.

[User] Lebanese or Australian. Not Australian, Austrian. Maybe he was Austrian.

[Assistant] Really?

[User] Or Hungarian. Somewhere around there. Yes, Lebanese I think.

[Assistant] So you, you and these other volunteers created this network and then you, did you manage that or how did that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Lebanese or Australian. Not Australian, Austrian. Maybe he was Austrian.

[Assistant] Really?

[User] Or Hungarian. Somewhere around there. Yes, Lebanese I think.

[Assistant] So you, you and these other volunteers created this network and then you, did you manage that or how did that?

[User] Yeah, we, yeah, the volunteers manage it. Um, there's a staff liaison on each one and we work closely with the staff. It's not just some like rogue thing or off on its own. Get some funding from Peace Corps Mexico, especially the peer support network, to go and visit volunteers if they're struggling, um, or to, for both to go into the office for trainings or to go to regional volunteer meetings that would happen a couple times a year. Yeah. And I think they're still going strong and seem to have done a world of wonder to help the incoming cohorts like become a tight knit group.

[Assistant] Does this happen in other countries as well?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Or Hungarian. Somewhere around there. Yes, Lebanese I think.

[Assistant] So you, you and these other volunteers created this network and then you, did you manage that or how did that?

[User] Yeah, we, yeah, the volunteers manage it. Um, there's a staff liaison on each one and we work closely with the staff. It's not just some like rogue thing or off on its own. Get some funding from Peace Corps Mexico, especially the peer support network, to go and visit volunteers if they're struggling, um, or to, for both to go into the office for trainings or to go to regional volunteer meetings that would happen a couple times a year. Yeah. And I think they're still going strong and seem to have done a world of wonder to help the incoming cohorts like become a tight knit group.

[Assistant] Does this happen in other countries as well?

[User] It does in some, but it really depends on the leadership and the staff of each of those.

[Assistant] So that's, that's still continuing. Did you get to travel around the country much?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, we, yeah, the volunteers manage it. Um, there's a staff liaison on each one and we work closely with the staff. It's not just some like rogue thing or off on its own. Get some funding from Peace Corps Mexico, especially the peer support network, to go and visit volunteers if they're struggling, um, or to, for both to go into the office for trainings or to go to regional volunteer meetings that would happen a couple times a year. Yeah. And I think they're still going strong and seem to have done a world of wonder to help the incoming cohorts like become a tight knit group.

[Assistant] Does this happen in other countries as well?

[User] It does in some, but it really depends on the leadership and the staff of each of those.

[Assistant] So that's, that's still continuing. Did you get to travel around the country much?

[User] Oh, yeah. I traveled a lot. Um, Mexico has a fantastic intra city bus system, like nothing like Greyhound. Very, very, very nice busses. So I went all over the place there. We were restricted from traveling to a lot of places. But Mexico is such a huge country that I went to Chiapas, Oaxaca, the Yucatan Peninsula. Um, I lived pretty close to Puerto Vallarta, so I went there on.

[Assistant] But you did this on your own or as part of the diversity?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It does in some, but it really depends on the leadership and the staff of each of those.

[Assistant] So that's, that's still continuing. Did you get to travel around the country much?

[User] Oh, yeah. I traveled a lot. Um, Mexico has a fantastic intra city bus system, like nothing like Greyhound. Very, very, very nice busses. So I went all over the place there. We were restricted from traveling to a lot of places. But Mexico is such a huge country that I went to Chiapas, Oaxaca, the Yucatan Peninsula. Um, I lived pretty close to Puerto Vallarta, so I went there on.

[Assistant] But you did this on your own or as part of the diversity?

[User] Oh, on my own. On my own traveling. Yeah. Yeah, because it was my final year, my third year, when we were getting it up and running. We were writing the bylaws and figuring out what we were going to do and all that kind of stuff. And then because of all of my work in that, the Director of Programing and Training created the volunteer leader for diversity inclusion position for me and offered it to me. And then that fourth year I was in the Peace Corps office. I moved to Queretaro. And through that I traveled a lot, but that was mostly to support the staff on their site visits.

[Assistant] So you were a volunteer for three years and one year you were a staff there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, yeah. I traveled a lot. Um, Mexico has a fantastic intra city bus system, like nothing like Greyhound. Very, very, very nice busses. So I went all over the place there. We were restricted from traveling to a lot of places. But Mexico is such a huge country that I went to Chiapas, Oaxaca, the Yucatan Peninsula. Um, I lived pretty close to Puerto Vallarta, so I went there on.

[Assistant] But you did this on your own or as part of the diversity?

[User] Oh, on my own. On my own traveling. Yeah. Yeah, because it was my final year, my third year, when we were getting it up and running. We were writing the bylaws and figuring out what we were going to do and all that kind of stuff. And then because of all of my work in that, the Director of Programing and Training created the volunteer leader for diversity inclusion position for me and offered it to me. And then that fourth year I was in the Peace Corps office. I moved to Queretaro. And through that I traveled a lot, but that was mostly to support the staff on their site visits.

[Assistant] So you were a volunteer for three years and one year you were a staff there?

[User] Well, I was a volunteer leader, so I was still a volunteer but.

[Assistant] Oh, you were still a fourth year.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, on my own. On my own traveling. Yeah. Yeah, because it was my final year, my third year, when we were getting it up and running. We were writing the bylaws and figuring out what we were going to do and all that kind of stuff. And then because of all of my work in that, the Director of Programing and Training created the volunteer leader for diversity inclusion position for me and offered it to me. And then that fourth year I was in the Peace Corps office. I moved to Queretaro. And through that I traveled a lot, but that was mostly to support the staff on their site visits.

[Assistant] So you were a volunteer for three years and one year you were a staff there?

[User] Well, I was a volunteer leader, so I was still a volunteer but.

[Assistant] Oh, you were still a fourth year.

[User] But I was working in the office.

[Assistant] And you were being paid or no?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, I was a volunteer leader, so I was still a volunteer but.

[Assistant] Oh, you were still a fourth year.

[User] But I was working in the office.

[Assistant] And you were being paid or no?

[User] No.

[Assistant] So what did you learn from all of that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But I was working in the office.

[Assistant] And you were being paid or no?

[User] No.

[Assistant] So what did you learn from all of that?

[User] Oh, a lot. Um. Well, I learned that the diversity and inclusion sort of industry or topic area is, is my field, is my calling. And I've sort of come in and out of it my entire life, starting in kindergarten and. And have integrated it into all of the different things that I've done, including urban planning. And, and so I just sort of, just given up like, okay, this is what I'm supposed to do. So I found my path in life through all of this, um, that's for sure. I learned about myself, that I am very resilient and very persistent. Um. And, and from Mexican culture, I learned that above all else, the important thing is to love your friends and family and to have a good time. And not worry about.

[Assistant] All the details?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No.

[Assistant] So what did you learn from all of that?

[User] Oh, a lot. Um. Well, I learned that the diversity and inclusion sort of industry or topic area is, is my field, is my calling. And I've sort of come in and out of it my entire life, starting in kindergarten and. And have integrated it into all of the different things that I've done, including urban planning. And, and so I just sort of, just given up like, okay, this is what I'm supposed to do. So I found my path in life through all of this, um, that's for sure. I learned about myself, that I am very resilient and very persistent. Um. And, and from Mexican culture, I learned that above all else, the important thing is to love your friends and family and to have a good time. And not worry about.

[Assistant] All the details?

[User] All the details, all the little things, all the, especially being on time.

[Assistant] So, those are big lessons to learn. Um, what, what about the whole, you know, orientation to the three goals of Peace Corps? If you think about, about helping the country.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, a lot. Um. Well, I learned that the diversity and inclusion sort of industry or topic area is, is my field, is my calling. And I've sort of come in and out of it my entire life, starting in kindergarten and. And have integrated it into all of the different things that I've done, including urban planning. And, and so I just sort of, just given up like, okay, this is what I'm supposed to do. So I found my path in life through all of this, um, that's for sure. I learned about myself, that I am very resilient and very persistent. Um. And, and from Mexican culture, I learned that above all else, the important thing is to love your friends and family and to have a good time. And not worry about.

[Assistant] All the details?

[User] All the details, all the little things, all the, especially being on time.

[Assistant] So, those are big lessons to learn. Um, what, what about the whole, you know, orientation to the three goals of Peace Corps? If you think about, about helping the country.

[User] Mm hmm.

[Assistant] Um, I mean, you clearly provided training and set up some things so you could say.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Something there.

[User] Yeah, I think I transferred a lot of knowledge to the women and the children that I worked with, um, and the men I worked with too. And I helped them realize that they had it within themselves to do this project because the whole, especially the recycling project, the whole time we were working on it, the women referred to it as my project. It was my project, my project. And then it wasn't until the last month or two where they're like, oh, you really are leaving. Especially after I extended for the third year, like, oh, you're not leaving, you'll be here forever. Um, yeah. Oh, no, you're, you're really. This really is our project. Oh, okay. So, I mean, it took two years for them to get that, but I also appreciated that they didn't want me to leave, and they liked me so much that they really embraced me as part of the community. Um.

[Assistant] Good.

[User] Yeah. And I heard from some of the participants that I changed their minds about U.S. Americans, that they had this idea of gringos. Well, they said gringos specifically, um, and that now they realize not all of us are like that, and they appreciated that. And of course, I appreciated that. And, um, because my mom had, she had gone to school in Mexico a couple summers to learn Spanish. So I had some knowledge of Mexico. I didn't, I really tried not to have preconceived notions, at least about Mexicans. I think I did about my fellow volunteers. Um. That. I just, I mean, everything that I know about Mexico I learned while I was there, so I can't say I, you know, anything was dashed or anything like that, but I just found Mexicans to be the most hospitable, warm, loving people that I have ever encountered. And it's just a shame that we can't get along, really, our countries. I mean, our, I think we can people-to-people but.

[Assistant] Well, it's a unique time.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. And I heard from some of the participants that I changed their minds about U.S. Americans, that they had this idea of gringos. Well, they said gringos specifically, um, and that now they realize not all of us are like that, and they appreciated that. And of course, I appreciated that. And, um, because my mom had, she had gone to school in Mexico a couple summers to learn Spanish. So I had some knowledge of Mexico. I didn't, I really tried not to have preconceived notions, at least about Mexicans. I think I did about my fellow volunteers. Um. That. I just, I mean, everything that I know about Mexico I learned while I was there, so I can't say I, you know, anything was dashed or anything like that, but I just found Mexicans to be the most hospitable, warm, loving people that I have ever encountered. And it's just a shame that we can't get along, really, our countries. I mean, our, I think we can people-to-people but.

[Assistant] Well, it's a unique time.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] I hope unique time. Um, you've mentioned a couple of times you didn't get along with your fellow volunteers as much.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you think it all comes from that instance during training or were there other issues?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] I hope unique time. Um, you've mentioned a couple of times you didn't get along with your fellow volunteers as much.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you think it all comes from that instance during training or were there other issues?

[User] Yeah, I think it does. And, yeah.

[Assistant] And you weren't, were you stationed close to some of the other ones?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you think it all comes from that instance during training or were there other issues?

[User] Yeah, I think it does. And, yeah.

[Assistant] And you weren't, were you stationed close to some of the other ones?

[User] There were, no, not. I mean, and there were a couple who were two hours away. Um, they're an older couple. They're baby boomers. So I got along with them and some others, I guess, while, while in country, you know.

[Assistant] But you haven't kept up with anybody.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, I think it does. And, yeah.

[Assistant] And you weren't, were you stationed close to some of the other ones?

[User] There were, no, not. I mean, and there were a couple who were two hours away. Um, they're an older couple. They're baby boomers. So I got along with them and some others, I guess, while, while in country, you know.

[Assistant] But you haven't kept up with anybody.

[User] Right. So I guess that's what makes me think like, oh, the bonds weren't that tight.

[Assistant] Mm hmm. Yeah. So then you, you did this, this job for the fourth year, which is a long time to stay.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] There were, no, not. I mean, and there were a couple who were two hours away. Um, they're an older couple. They're baby boomers. So I got along with them and some others, I guess, while, while in country, you know.

[Assistant] But you haven't kept up with anybody.

[User] Right. So I guess that's what makes me think like, oh, the bonds weren't that tight.

[Assistant] Mm hmm. Yeah. So then you, you did this, this job for the fourth year, which is a long time to stay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And how did that then translate into the job you now have in Washington?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right. So I guess that's what makes me think like, oh, the bonds weren't that tight.

[Assistant] Mm hmm. Yeah. So then you, you did this, this job for the fourth year, which is a long time to stay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And how did that then translate into the job you now have in Washington?

[User] Um, well, I applied for the job in Washington and I think.

[Assistant] So the job existed before you came?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, well, I applied for the job in Washington and I think.

[Assistant] So the job existed before you came?

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User]
Yeah. There had been two people, it had been filled twice, but so it was still relatively new because once I arrived, um, that hadn't been filled by anyone for more than a year. So I basically created, made it into what it is, and it's evolving even more now. But I supported employee resource group programs and, um, basically worked on making sure the workplace is not just diverse but inclusive, and to identify barriers to that and to propose solutions to eliminating the barriers. Um.

And I, and the volunteer leader role was the first time I was, like, formally working in that capacity, and so it set me up for a, not really an entry level but sort of a mid, uh, level position, which is what my position is. Um. Because I, you know, I had ten or so years of professional experience generally, and then the more specialized in that particular realm qualified me for the job. I mean, I had to apply for it and go through all of that whole federal sector.

[Assistant] And what are the issues you're facing in Peace Corps? Is Peace Corps, do you think, different than, as an organization, different than other organizations from a diversity point of view?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User]
Um, I don't know exactly why, but it's very easy to forget that just because we're all U.S. Americans, or that we all work for the Peace Corps, that we're all different. We all have different backgrounds. We all have different experiences. We all have different experiences as volunteers and. That. And people seem to forget the history of this country and, um, and maybe never learned the history, maybe don't know the facts about civil rights and things like this and that. We had laws where women had no rights, like all of these kinds of things. And it's. Time marches on and progress keeps going. I think it is true that the arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice, absolutely, like Dr. King said.

And I also think that at the Peace Corps where we get into this mindset, oh, well, I served abroad. I lived in this other place. So I know how it is. These other people, I get diversity and inclusion, but it's different here. And they don't know it. And so I think we can't get out of our own way, in some ways. And to be open and curious again and not say, oh well, that doesn't matter. You just leave all of your ask yourself at the door. And that's the generational difference. I think older generations were raised and socialized to leave that at the door. And I'm 39, so I'm an elder millennial. I was not raised to leave that at the door. Well, maybe I was raised to leave that at the door and I rebelled against that.

[Assistant] But you're not.

[User] Yeah, I definitely rebelled against that. So. And the ones coming behind me even less so. And, and so I, from where I sit, what I see is the Peace Corps needs to change or it will not be relevant in ten years.

[Assistant] And, and what do you think the problems are with, just recruiting people of color?

[User] There's no problem recruiting. It's in the selection.

[Assistant] Okay, talk a little bit about that.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, I definitely rebelled against that. So. And the ones coming behind me even less so. And, and so I, from where I sit, what I see is the Peace Corps needs to change or it will not be relevant in ten years.

[Assistant] And, and what do you think the problems are with, just recruiting people of color?

[User] There's no problem recruiting. It's in the selection.

[Assistant] Okay, talk a little bit about that.

[User] Um. People apply. People apply and people are qualified. We have diverse groups of qualified folks for jobs and volunteer service. And then the, when it comes down to choosing people for the jobs, they're not getting chosen.

[Assistant] And is that because of bias?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] There's no problem recruiting. It's in the selection.

[Assistant] Okay, talk a little bit about that.

[User] Um. People apply. People apply and people are qualified. We have diverse groups of qualified folks for jobs and volunteer service. And then the, when it comes down to choosing people for the jobs, they're not getting chosen.

[Assistant] And is that because of bias?

[User] Could be. We don't know. We're just starting to look into it.

[Assistant] Huh. Because I had always heard it was the application process that was the problem, or that people, you know, don't have the orientation or the money to be able to afford to take something really low paying for a couple of years.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Could be. We don't know. We're just starting to look into it.

[Assistant] Huh. Because I had always heard it was the application process that was the problem, or that people, you know, don't have the orientation or the money to be able to afford to take something really low paying for a couple of years.

[User] Yeah. And that, that, I would say that's probably, especially for volunteer service, that's definitely part of it, the socioeconomics of it. I went into debt applying to the Peace Corps because it was before Obamacare and I didn't have insurance. Um. But we haven't, I mean, we're not a self reflective agency.

[Assistant] Hmm.

[User] Um, and I don't want to talk too much about it because it's, I'm not a spokesperson for the agency, but, um. We're just starting to list, just starting to look into it, to look from a systemic and institutional way. There have been initiatives and training programs and things like that. But that doesn't work, especially somewhere that has constant turnover. And so we're trying to identify the barriers and then come up with a plan to recommend solutions for those barriers, taking into account the fact that we will turn over every three years.

[Assistant] And maybe turnover isn't all that it's, was expected to do.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. And that, that, I would say that's probably, especially for volunteer service, that's definitely part of it, the socioeconomics of it. I went into debt applying to the Peace Corps because it was before Obamacare and I didn't have insurance. Um. But we haven't, I mean, we're not a self reflective agency.

[Assistant] Hmm.

[User] Um, and I don't want to talk too much about it because it's, I'm not a spokesperson for the agency, but, um. We're just starting to list, just starting to look into it, to look from a systemic and institutional way. There have been initiatives and training programs and things like that. But that doesn't work, especially somewhere that has constant turnover. And so we're trying to identify the barriers and then come up with a plan to recommend solutions for those barriers, taking into account the fact that we will turn over every three years.

[Assistant] And maybe turnover isn't all that it's, was expected to do.

[User] Right. Yeah, yeah. Because the idea is, oh well, well, the volunteer corps will diversify and then the employees will too. And that is not happening. The volunteer groups have diversified and they're, and it's not translating.

[Assistant] To, to staff.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, and I don't want to talk too much about it because it's, I'm not a spokesperson for the agency, but, um. We're just starting to list, just starting to look into it, to look from a systemic and institutional way. There have been initiatives and training programs and things like that. But that doesn't work, especially somewhere that has constant turnover. And so we're trying to identify the barriers and then come up with a plan to recommend solutions for those barriers, taking into account the fact that we will turn over every three years.

[Assistant] And maybe turnover isn't all that it's, was expected to do.

[User] Right. Yeah, yeah. Because the idea is, oh well, well, the volunteer corps will diversify and then the employees will too. And that is not happening. The volunteer groups have diversified and they're, and it's not translating.

[Assistant] To, to staff.

[User] No.

[Assistant] So the volunteers have diversified even.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right. Yeah, yeah. Because the idea is, oh well, well, the volunteer corps will diversify and then the employees will too. And that is not happening. The volunteer groups have diversified and they're, and it's not translating.

[Assistant] To, to staff.

[User] No.

[Assistant] So the volunteers have diversified even.

[User] I mean, there's still, there's still improvements to be made. But yeah, for the last five years it's been at 30 percent underrepresented groups.

[Assistant] And that's both, um, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, across the board?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I mean, there's still, there's still improvements to be made. But yeah, for the last five years it's been at 30 percent underrepresented groups.

[Assistant] And that's both, um, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, across the board?

[User] Yeah. I think we only track race, ethnicity, and gender. Well, sex, male and female really.

[Assistant] Oh, so.

[User] We, they asked questions about whether or not you're transgender in the application, on the health history form, but that's just for medical purposes. We don't track that in terms of demographics.

[Assistant] And of course, if it's considered not welcoming, then people don't come. They're so self-perpetuating.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] We, they asked questions about whether or not you're transgender in the application, on the health history form, but that's just for medical purposes. We don't track that in terms of demographics.

[Assistant] And of course, if it's considered not welcoming, then people don't come. They're so self-perpetuating.

[User] Yeah, yeah. And people talk to each other. Volunteers have friends who are not volunteers, who are maybe considering it. And if they have a great experience, they'll translate that. If they don't have a great experience, they'll translate that.

[Assistant] Sure. So.

[User] And right now, I mean, they just started this refer-a-friend program, and I would not refer a friend to the Peace Corps right now, personally.

[Assistant] Hmm. Even though you had a good experience. Do you think you had a good experience?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, yeah. And people talk to each other. Volunteers have friends who are not volunteers, who are maybe considering it. And if they have a great experience, they'll translate that. If they don't have a great experience, they'll translate that.

[Assistant] Sure. So.

[User] And right now, I mean, they just started this refer-a-friend program, and I would not refer a friend to the Peace Corps right now, personally.

[Assistant] Hmm. Even though you had a good experience. Do you think you had a good experience?

[User] I think all told, yeah. The days were long but the months went by fast. Um, and I learned a lot and it got me here. And the last three years have been really hard. Coming back was really, really difficult, I mean.

[Assistant] What was hard about coming back?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And right now, I mean, they just started this refer-a-friend program, and I would not refer a friend to the Peace Corps right now, personally.

[Assistant] Hmm. Even though you had a good experience. Do you think you had a good experience?

[User] I think all told, yeah. The days were long but the months went by fast. Um, and I learned a lot and it got me here. And the last three years have been really hard. Coming back was really, really difficult, I mean.

[Assistant] What was hard about coming back?

[User] Well, it came, um. Before the Peace Corps, I lived in Oregon for 12 years, so that's a much different culture. And then I lived in Mexico for four years, much different culture. So then I moved back for this job. So West Coast Mexican culture clashing with East Coast culture. Um, the job was really difficult, the election, and then an understaffed, under-resourced office for the last few years. And personal stuff. Um. But it also made me realize the importance of dealing with all of that stuff and coming out the other side. I see once again how resilient I am and how important it is to take care of myself and for others to take care of themselves and, and to just, you know, treat each other with love and kindness and try to see that we're all doing the best we can.

[Assistant] So you found your niche, though, whether it's at Peace Corps or not, you'll be involved in diversity.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think all told, yeah. The days were long but the months went by fast. Um, and I learned a lot and it got me here. And the last three years have been really hard. Coming back was really, really difficult, I mean.

[Assistant] What was hard about coming back?

[User] Well, it came, um. Before the Peace Corps, I lived in Oregon for 12 years, so that's a much different culture. And then I lived in Mexico for four years, much different culture. So then I moved back for this job. So West Coast Mexican culture clashing with East Coast culture. Um, the job was really difficult, the election, and then an understaffed, under-resourced office for the last few years. And personal stuff. Um. But it also made me realize the importance of dealing with all of that stuff and coming out the other side. I see once again how resilient I am and how important it is to take care of myself and for others to take care of themselves and, and to just, you know, treat each other with love and kindness and try to see that we're all doing the best we can.

[Assistant] So you found your niche, though, whether it's at Peace Corps or not, you'll be involved in diversity.

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] Training and, and other issues. How long have you been at Peace Corps now?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, it came, um. Before the Peace Corps, I lived in Oregon for 12 years, so that's a much different culture. And then I lived in Mexico for four years, much different culture. So then I moved back for this job. So West Coast Mexican culture clashing with East Coast culture. Um, the job was really difficult, the election, and then an understaffed, under-resourced office for the last few years. And personal stuff. Um. But it also made me realize the importance of dealing with all of that stuff and coming out the other side. I see once again how resilient I am and how important it is to take care of myself and for others to take care of themselves and, and to just, you know, treat each other with love and kindness and try to see that we're all doing the best we can.

[Assistant] So you found your niche, though, whether it's at Peace Corps or not, you'll be involved in diversity.

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] Training and, and other issues. How long have you been at Peace Corps now?

[User] Three years.

[Assistant] Three years. So you have two more to go. Are you going to, what do you think you'll do afterwards?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] Training and, and other issues. How long have you been at Peace Corps now?

[User] Three years.

[Assistant] Three years. So you have two more to go. Are you going to, what do you think you'll do afterwards?

[User] I'm not really sure. Um, I think probably another federal agency, at least for a little while, just to see what it's like.

[Assistant] So, so D.C. isn't as bad as it as you thought it was?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Three years.

[Assistant] Three years. So you have two more to go. Are you going to, what do you think you'll do afterwards?

[User] I'm not really sure. Um, I think probably another federal agency, at least for a little while, just to see what it's like.

[Assistant] So, so D.C. isn't as bad as it as you thought it was?

[User] It's growing on me now. Now that I'm, like, less traumatized, I think. Um, yeah, it's, it's getting better. It's growing on me, I think. And I think job prospects are pretty good here probably.

[Assistant] Well, and there are federal agencies all over the country as well.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It's growing on me now. Now that I'm, like, less traumatized, I think. Um, yeah, it's, it's getting better. It's growing on me, I think. And I think job prospects are pretty good here probably.

[Assistant] Well, and there are federal agencies all over the country as well.

[User] Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] So. Great.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So are there any questions I didn't ask you that you or something you want to say that, um, that I didn't ask you about? This is really your interview.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] So. Great.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So are there any questions I didn't ask you that you or something you want to say that, um, that I didn't ask you about? This is really your interview.

[User] Um. Well, I guess I did say that I didn't get along with volunteers a number of times. But I do want to clarify that that was, I mean, there were, of course, people that I, I got along with. I would just say there were cohorts after me in Mexico that were super tight, and they all got along. And I got to see that because I was there for so long. And so I'm just a little jealous of that. But I definitely had some friends from other, especially from other groups who I am still in contact with and I see on a regular basis.

[Assistant] It's the luck of the draw, who you end up with.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So are there any questions I didn't ask you that you or something you want to say that, um, that I didn't ask you about? This is really your interview.

[User] Um. Well, I guess I did say that I didn't get along with volunteers a number of times. But I do want to clarify that that was, I mean, there were, of course, people that I, I got along with. I would just say there were cohorts after me in Mexico that were super tight, and they all got along. And I got to see that because I was there for so long. And so I'm just a little jealous of that. But I definitely had some friends from other, especially from other groups who I am still in contact with and I see on a regular basis.

[Assistant] It's the luck of the draw, who you end up with.

[User] Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Especially since Mexico is in a transition in the program and all that kind of stuff. So we were all sort of.

[Assistant] Mexico was in a transition as a program? In what respect?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um. Well, I guess I did say that I didn't get along with volunteers a number of times. But I do want to clarify that that was, I mean, there were, of course, people that I, I got along with. I would just say there were cohorts after me in Mexico that were super tight, and they all got along. And I got to see that because I was there for so long. And so I'm just a little jealous of that. But I definitely had some friends from other, especially from other groups who I am still in contact with and I see on a regular basis.

[Assistant] It's the luck of the draw, who you end up with.

[User] Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Especially since Mexico is in a transition in the program and all that kind of stuff. So we were all sort of.

[Assistant] Mexico was in a transition as a program? In what respect?

[User] Uh, well, because it's so new, I think they've been figuring out.

[Assistant] When did it actually start?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Especially since Mexico is in a transition in the program and all that kind of stuff. So we were all sort of.

[Assistant] Mexico was in a transition as a program? In what respect?

[User] Uh, well, because it's so new, I think they've been figuring out.

[Assistant] When did it actually start?

[User] In 2006.

[Assistant] Oh, so just a short time.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, well, because it's so new, I think they've been figuring out.

[Assistant] When did it actually start?

[User] In 2006.

[Assistant] Oh, so just a short time.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And how many volunteers are there now, do you know?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In 2006.

[Assistant] Oh, so just a short time.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And how many volunteers are there now, do you know?

[User] I think at a time they have about 65 to 80.

[Assistant] So it's a pretty small program.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think at a time they have about 65 to 80.

[Assistant] So it's a pretty small program.

[User] Yeah. Yeah, they were starting to expand more, but the sites where it's safe to send folks are so far away from the office that it's hard for staff to get there in a timely manner, because they have to. Peace Corps changed some of the rules, and they have rules now about how many times staff have to visit volunteers. And so they're like constantly traveling to fulfill those requirements.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So thank you for the interview.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Yeah, they were starting to expand more, but the sites where it's safe to send folks are so far away from the office that it's hard for staff to get there in a timely manner, because they have to. Peace Corps changed some of the rules, and they have rules now about how many times staff have to visit volunteers. And so they're like constantly traveling to fulfill those requirements.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] So thank you for the interview.

[User] Yeah. Thank you. This was great.

[Assistant] Thank you very much.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, I joined the Peace Corps because my mother was a as a Return Peace Corps Volunteer from Peru. She went to the University of Michigan as an undergraduate and heard Kennedy speak and became involved in the formation of the Peace Corps and then ended up serving from 1964 to 1965 in Peru. So I grew up aware of what the Peace Corps was. And then I also had a personal interest in learning more about international development and living. I wanted to live in another country and explore other cultures and to be able to travel. So I applied to the Peace Corps year after graduating from the University of Michigan and. Yes, so that's why I joined.

[Assistant] So I don't have to ask the questions about the what your parents thought about this. No, there was there was support there. What did your friends think about this?

[User] My friends, I grew up. I knew I wanted to go into the Peace Corps. I had mentioned it in high school. So, yeah.

[Assistant] Wasn't a big surprise.

[User] No, not a big surprise in my case.

[Assistant] Yes. And what did you study in college?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] My friends, I grew up. I knew I wanted to go into the Peace Corps. I had mentioned it in high school. So, yeah.

[Assistant] Wasn't a big surprise.

[User] No, not a big surprise in my case.

[Assistant] Yes. And what did you study in college?

[User] I studied economics. So I was I have an interest in economic development and still want to go on and get a master's degree in economic development. So I felt the Peace Corps was a way to kind of experience that firsthand. I also had a professor that I was doing independent study for. She was she's an economist and she was in the Peace Corps as well in South America. So that was another influence, too.

[Assistant] When you applied, did you ask for a certain part of the world?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, not a big surprise in my case.

[Assistant] Yes. And what did you study in college?

[User] I studied economics. So I was I have an interest in economic development and still want to go on and get a master's degree in economic development. So I felt the Peace Corps was a way to kind of experience that firsthand. I also had a professor that I was doing independent study for. She was she's an economist and she was in the Peace Corps as well in South America. So that was another influence, too.

[Assistant] When you applied, did you ask for a certain part of the world?

[User] I thought open ended. I don't speak Spanish, so I wasn't sure about I wanted to go to maybe to Peru, like my mother, or South America. But I felt open ended and I maybe I was leaning towards Eastern Europe. I had taken what they called in my high school German history. So I learned a lot about Eastern Europe through through some history courses in high school. And I was interested in exploring learning more about Eastern Europe. So that's where I ended up.

[Assistant] But you hadn't applied for it? They just came back with you?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I studied economics. So I was I have an interest in economic development and still want to go on and get a master's degree in economic development. So I felt the Peace Corps was a way to kind of experience that firsthand. I also had a professor that I was doing independent study for. She was she's an economist and she was in the Peace Corps as well in South America. So that was another influence, too.

[Assistant] When you applied, did you ask for a certain part of the world?

[User] I thought open ended. I don't speak Spanish, so I wasn't sure about I wanted to go to maybe to Peru, like my mother, or South America. But I felt open ended and I maybe I was leaning towards Eastern Europe. I had taken what they called in my high school German history. So I learned a lot about Eastern Europe through through some history courses in high school. And I was interested in exploring learning more about Eastern Europe. So that's where I ended up.

[Assistant] But you hadn't applied for it? They just came back with you?

[User] With my interview, they mentioned. She asked me and I may have said in the end, maybe I'll choose Eastern Europe.

[Assistant] Ok, so you were selected and then where where was the staging, or was it staging at that point?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I thought open ended. I don't speak Spanish, so I wasn't sure about I wanted to go to maybe to Peru, like my mother, or South America. But I felt open ended and I maybe I was leaning towards Eastern Europe. I had taken what they called in my high school German history. So I learned a lot about Eastern Europe through through some history courses in high school. And I was interested in exploring learning more about Eastern Europe. So that's where I ended up.

[Assistant] But you hadn't applied for it? They just came back with you?

[User] With my interview, they mentioned. She asked me and I may have said in the end, maybe I'll choose Eastern Europe.

[Assistant] Ok, so you were selected and then where where was the staging, or was it staging at that point?

[User] And yes, it actually took me a long time to be selected. It took me two years. So I did volunteer work at a Beverly Beverly Bootstrap thrift store for the Peace Corps. And I also was a receptionist at Heifer Learning Center Overlook Farm. So it took me a long time to actually become a nominee and be selected for whatever reason.

[Assistant] And do you know why it took so long?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] With my interview, they mentioned. She asked me and I may have said in the end, maybe I'll choose Eastern Europe.

[Assistant] Ok, so you were selected and then where where was the staging, or was it staging at that point?

[User] And yes, it actually took me a long time to be selected. It took me two years. So I did volunteer work at a Beverly Beverly Bootstrap thrift store for the Peace Corps. And I also was a receptionist at Heifer Learning Center Overlook Farm. So it took me a long time to actually become a nominee and be selected for whatever reason.

[Assistant] And do you know why it took so long?

[User] They were looking for more work experience to be a nonprofit developer, I think. And so I also worked at Bank of America as well. So once I was selected, the staging took place in D.C., so that's where I met my G5, we were the fifth group in Georgia and there are probably close to 50 of us.

[Assistant] All in nonprofit development?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And yes, it actually took me a long time to be selected. It took me two years. So I did volunteer work at a Beverly Beverly Bootstrap thrift store for the Peace Corps. And I also was a receptionist at Heifer Learning Center Overlook Farm. So it took me a long time to actually become a nominee and be selected for whatever reason.

[Assistant] And do you know why it took so long?

[User] They were looking for more work experience to be a nonprofit developer, I think. And so I also worked at Bank of America as well. So once I was selected, the staging took place in D.C., so that's where I met my G5, we were the fifth group in Georgia and there are probably close to 50 of us.

[Assistant] All in nonprofit development?

[User] No, the majority were TEFL English teaching volunteers. And then there was about maybe I don't really know, actually a 20 or so out of that or nonprofit developers.

[Assistant] And what happened in D.C.?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They were looking for more work experience to be a nonprofit developer, I think. And so I also worked at Bank of America as well. So once I was selected, the staging took place in D.C., so that's where I met my G5, we were the fifth group in Georgia and there are probably close to 50 of us.

[Assistant] All in nonprofit development?

[User] No, the majority were TEFL English teaching volunteers. And then there was about maybe I don't really know, actually a 20 or so out of that or nonprofit developers.

[Assistant] And what happened in D.C.?

[User] We just had the general staging that the Peace Corps must do. Nothing, nothing outstanding. You slowly meet people in your group and um, we moved on to, you know, flying out of D.C. and going straight to. We stopped in Amsterdam, so I got to see a little of Amsterdam with some other volunteers. We went around and then we we flew into Georgia. And it was in the middle of the night. It was like 3:00 a.m. or something. So it was pitch dark and it was their old airport. So that's kind of, you know.

[Assistant] Where did you fly? Directly to Tbilisi?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, the majority were TEFL English teaching volunteers. And then there was about maybe I don't really know, actually a 20 or so out of that or nonprofit developers.

[Assistant] And what happened in D.C.?

[User] We just had the general staging that the Peace Corps must do. Nothing, nothing outstanding. You slowly meet people in your group and um, we moved on to, you know, flying out of D.C. and going straight to. We stopped in Amsterdam, so I got to see a little of Amsterdam with some other volunteers. We went around and then we we flew into Georgia. And it was in the middle of the night. It was like 3:00 a.m. or something. So it was pitch dark and it was their old airport. So that's kind of, you know.

[Assistant] Where did you fly? Directly to Tbilisi?

[User] To Tbilisi and we all got on a bus. They had handed out snacks and took us to sort of a resort area. I don't remember what it was called, but it was it was also like an old palace there and everything. And so we hung out there for a few days and we started our training. So we got like, ah, understood more about what the language was, what what our jobs were, and and structure to the Peace Corps is what they really provided. So I had a roommate, Carol Kimlin, and that went fine. You know, we weren't near anything. So all we had was this like compound out in the wilderness of Georgia. It was cool for what I thought the summertime was. And and then after that, that was a few days, then we went to our training sites. My training site was Gori, and in Gori there were 15 of us. And I was in a group of five. Two of the men were married and their wives were serving in the Peace Corps, but they were in different language classes. And then there was Elise Pizzi and Chris Mandic. And we were we had language courses in the mornings and then.

[Assistant] And what is the language?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The language is Kartuli, Georgian. So they didn't teach us Russian. But Russians have very fluency, fluent in that part of the world and in Georgia. So we started learning Georgian. I lived actually with a host family, who I'm still friends with on Facebook, for two months. This is during my training. Mya and she took care of me. She was close to my age, early 20s, and I think I was 26 when I joined, when I actually got into the Peace Corps. She had two brothers and then her two parents, but Mya spoke fluent English, so she really took care of me. They gave me the master bedroom to sleep in. And so they were my first experience in Georgia, I guess. And in my case, it was it was kind of a culture shock. So it was less food change and changing food. A lot of bread, wine, wine, which is a Georgia specialty.

[Assistant] Yeah. Yeah.

[User] In Georgia. So, you know, the Peace Corps gave lots of warnings about not drinking, but of course, you're going to try the wine. Right. And I don't know. And then we would so I go to my trainings and then I come back and I have dinner sort of on my own, aside from the family. And then they all watch TV. And what they love to watch was America's Funniest Home Videos reruns from like 20 years ago. So they thought that was a riot. So it was kind of, here I was in this.

[Assistant] In Georgian, dubbed?

[User] I don't think it was, it could have been Georgian. I wasn't even sure. I didn't understand it. So here I was in this Gori apartment, you know, just stereotypical Russian high rise and. You know, it was kind of it was very run down like holes in the floors and no running water, really, and and they were watching America's Funniest Home Videos for fun.

[Assistant] Just so describe the apartments.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In Georgia. So, you know, the Peace Corps gave lots of warnings about not drinking, but of course, you're going to try the wine. Right. And I don't know. And then we would so I go to my trainings and then I come back and I have dinner sort of on my own, aside from the family. And then they all watch TV. And what they love to watch was America's Funniest Home Videos reruns from like 20 years ago. So they thought that was a riot. So it was kind of, here I was in this.

[Assistant] In Georgian, dubbed?

[User] I don't think it was, it could have been Georgian. I wasn't even sure. I didn't understand it. So here I was in this Gori apartment, you know, just stereotypical Russian high rise and. You know, it was kind of it was very run down like holes in the floors and no running water, really, and and they were watching America's Funniest Home Videos for fun.

[Assistant] Just so describe the apartments.

[User] The apartment was a two bedroom. Kitchen, eating kitchen and a living room, I guess there was running water I could do I did laundry a couple of times and bathed a couple times.

[Assistant] So there was water.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The apartment was a two bedroom. Kitchen, eating kitchen and a living room, I guess there was running water I could do I did laundry a couple of times and bathed a couple times.

[Assistant] So there was water.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And electricity?

[User] It is for heating. There was there was electricity. Yeah. So.

[Assistant] What was that what was the shock and you mentioned food, less food and different food, what was the food?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And electricity?

[User] It is for heating. There was there was electricity. Yeah. So.

[Assistant] What was that what was the shock and you mentioned food, less food and different food, what was the food?

[User] Maybe just different tastes, you know. Um, so, you know.

[Assistant] But you got used to it?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It is for heating. There was there was electricity. Yeah. So.

[Assistant] What was that what was the shock and you mentioned food, less food and different food, what was the food?

[User] Maybe just different tastes, you know. Um, so, you know.

[Assistant] But you got used to it?

[User] I got used to it, yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah. OK, so you stayed with them and what, what was the language training like, every day?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Maybe just different tastes, you know. Um, so, you know.

[Assistant] But you got used to it?

[User] I got used to it, yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah. OK, so you stayed with them and what, what was the language training like, every day?

[User] Yeah. We had it every day in the morning. Elza Carelli was my language teacher and she would she you know, it's just basic Georgian like how are you, rogor xar, and these things. And then in the afternoon was our nonprofit development training. So we had a trainer named Tango and he went on to work for the Peace Corps and now he works for the World Bank. So he's fluent in English. And he would go out to different non-profits like youth centers and stuff like that as part of our training to get a sense of it. So we learned about grant writing, so structures of nonprofits and different structures of grants and stuff like that. So it was new to me.

[Assistant] Yeah, what was, what is the nonprofit development? What does it mean?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. We had it every day in the morning. Elza Carelli was my language teacher and she would she you know, it's just basic Georgian like how are you, rogor xar, and these things. And then in the afternoon was our nonprofit development training. So we had a trainer named Tango and he went on to work for the Peace Corps and now he works for the World Bank. So he's fluent in English. And he would go out to different non-profits like youth centers and stuff like that as part of our training to get a sense of it. So we learned about grant writing, so structures of nonprofits and different structures of grants and stuff like that. So it was new to me.

[Assistant] Yeah, what was, what is the nonprofit development? What does it mean?

[User] Our job is was to we were assigned to nonprofits and it was to kind of find funding for the, for different projects that the nonprofit does. So after my training in Gori, I went. We had another staging event and then we went off to our site. So at the site I met my counterpart Sopico Mansulla Schwilley and she she, uh, she is kind of like a like an old communist type. I don't know how to, very strict, very, very hierarchical kind of woman. And so I met her and she was trying to work with she was trying to start a nonprofit called Spectry in the city of Sagarejo. So that was my final site, was Sagarejo. Sagarejo is a city of 20,000 people about half an hour outside of Tbilisi. Yeah, you get there by marshrutkas.

[Assistant] What's marshrutkas?

[User] Marshrutkas was just a van that they drive. They had marshrutkas all over the country, so you pay like one or two laris to take it and they drive you around.

[Assistant] So like taking a bus?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Marshrutkas was just a van that they drive. They had marshrutkas all over the country, so you pay like one or two laris to take it and they drive you around.

[Assistant] So like taking a bus?

[User] Like taking a bus, but it's a shared van. And so I got to site. So when I got to site, Sopico took me to my site from training shall we stopped at her house and she had two children, a boy and a girl and they're like mid teens. And so she had a very nice house and we had like a snack lunch at our house. And then she and her husband drove, drove me to her, to my host family. So my host family I lived with for two years. She, so there was Dolly, my host mother, and she was probably around 50. There was Mari, my host sister, she was eight years old when I first moved there. And then there was my host brother. He was twenty four when I first moved there. It's in this beautiful large farm home, probably as big as any American home. It had three bedrooms, a living room on the second floor. No running water in this case and then a very large dining room and a living room and a kitchen and then a bathroom area, but there was no running water. So we get water like every week through a hose and she put it into big barrels.

[Assistant] So was there no water because it was out in the country and there was no well?

[User] There's infrastructure for water, there was just so the house had two bathrooms and even a shower installed, but there was just no the infrastructure had run out. So there was also no heat in the winter because of the, um, I guess Russia doesn't pump gas to Georgia. So there was also no heat. So the for the first winter, I actually slept in the living room with my host mother and host sister. I had my own bed and they had another large bed. And so I lived like that for.

[Assistant] Did you have a fireplace?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] There's infrastructure for water, there was just so the house had two bathrooms and even a shower installed, but there was just no the infrastructure had run out. So there was also no heat in the winter because of the, um, I guess Russia doesn't pump gas to Georgia. So there was also no heat. So the for the first winter, I actually slept in the living room with my host mother and host sister. I had my own bed and they had another large bed. And so I lived like that for.

[Assistant] Did you have a fireplace?

[User] They had a wood stove that they put in our living room. So it heat the kitchen and the living room and the rest house is freezing cold. Yes, and then and then I met the woman, Tom Ricoh, who runs the youth house, and she's a lovely lady and I'm with her on Facebook too, and the women at the youth house. So there were two English teachers.

[Assistant] So you stayed with the family. You met the woman who started the nonprofit. Did you work at the nonprofit?

[User] Yes, I did. But it wasn't like it was. It was it was not like a job I went to every day. So I met with her maybe like once a week initially. And then there were some times when I never saw her. And then by the end of my service, we were doing some projects and I saw some more.

[Assistant] So it was very loose?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They had a wood stove that they put in our living room. So it heat the kitchen and the living room and the rest house is freezing cold. Yes, and then and then I met the woman, Tom Ricoh, who runs the youth house, and she's a lovely lady and I'm with her on Facebook too, and the women at the youth house. So there were two English teachers.

[Assistant] So you stayed with the family. You met the woman who started the nonprofit. Did you work at the nonprofit?

[User] Yes, I did. But it wasn't like it was. It was it was not like a job I went to every day. So I met with her maybe like once a week initially. And then there were some times when I never saw her. And then by the end of my service, we were doing some projects and I saw some more.

[Assistant] So it was very loose?

[User] Yeah. Where I spent all my time at the youth house, I went to the youth house every single day.

[Assistant] Do you want to develop that or was that developed by Peace Corps, the Youth House?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, I did. But it wasn't like it was. It was it was not like a job I went to every day. So I met with her maybe like once a week initially. And then there were some times when I never saw her. And then by the end of my service, we were doing some projects and I saw some more.

[Assistant] So it was very loose?

[User] Yeah. Where I spent all my time at the youth house, I went to the youth house every single day.

[Assistant] Do you want to develop that or was that developed by Peace Corps, the Youth House?

[User] The youth house was, I was assigned.

[Assistant] Oh you were assigned to that. And so what was the youth house?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Where I spent all my time at the youth house, I went to the youth house every single day.

[Assistant] Do you want to develop that or was that developed by Peace Corps, the Youth House?

[User] The youth house was, I was assigned.

[Assistant] Oh you were assigned to that. And so what was the youth house?

[User] Youth who say they had school aged children, probably from first grade to the end of high school, show up and they do they teach languages, so they would teach Russian and English and they would also do like put on plays and Georgian dance. So it's kind of like a cultural youth center.

[Assistant] And what was your role there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The youth house was, I was assigned.

[Assistant] Oh you were assigned to that. And so what was the youth house?

[User] Youth who say they had school aged children, probably from first grade to the end of high school, show up and they do they teach languages, so they would teach Russian and English and they would also do like put on plays and Georgian dance. So it's kind of like a cultural youth center.

[Assistant] And what was your role there?

[User]
My role was to teach English, but it was also just to experience you know, I sit with the women every day. They would have snacks like hot chicory or even animal crackers out. And it's not like there's a whole lot to do.

So it’s a lot of sitting and talking. And I think my first year oh, they want to know about Halloween. So I showed up in the fall, at the end of August. And so they thought Halloween was great. So I carved, um, they don't have, they call them gogras. They're green pumpkins. I don't know what they're called here. No orange pumpkins, but so I carved one for them and they thought that was the best thing ever because they they were so curious about this Halloween holiday we have. And two of the teens dressed up in costumes. And I thought that was the best thing ever.

[Assistant] So when you were assigned to the youth house, what for what purpose were you assigned there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Youth who say they had school aged children, probably from first grade to the end of high school, show up and they do they teach languages, so they would teach Russian and English and they would also do like put on plays and Georgian dance. So it's kind of like a cultural youth center.

[Assistant] And what was your role there?

[User]
My role was to teach English, but it was also just to experience you know, I sit with the women every day. They would have snacks like hot chicory or even animal crackers out. And it's not like there's a whole lot to do.

So it’s a lot of sitting and talking. And I think my first year oh, they want to know about Halloween. So I showed up in the fall, at the end of August. And so they thought Halloween was great. So I carved, um, they don't have, they call them gogras. They're green pumpkins. I don't know what they're called here. No orange pumpkins, but so I carved one for them and they thought that was the best thing ever because they they were so curious about this Halloween holiday we have. And two of the teens dressed up in costumes. And I thought that was the best thing ever.

[Assistant] So when you were assigned to the youth house, what for what purpose were you assigned there?

[User] To to write grants and to to teach English or to help them out in any way.

[Assistant] So who would you write grants to?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User]
My role was to teach English, but it was also just to experience you know, I sit with the women every day. They would have snacks like hot chicory or even animal crackers out. And it's not like there's a whole lot to do.

So it’s a lot of sitting and talking. And I think my first year oh, they want to know about Halloween. So I showed up in the fall, at the end of August. And so they thought Halloween was great. So I carved, um, they don't have, they call them gogras. They're green pumpkins. I don't know what they're called here. No orange pumpkins, but so I carved one for them and they thought that was the best thing ever because they they were so curious about this Halloween holiday we have. And two of the teens dressed up in costumes. And I thought that was the best thing ever.

[Assistant] So when you were assigned to the youth house, what for what purpose were you assigned there?

[User] To to write grants and to to teach English or to help them out in any way.

[Assistant] So who would you write grants to?

[User] So when I did write grants, I got them funding through the Peace Corps. Let me just look up what I did. There’s two Peace Corps grants.

[Assistant] So you got funding from the National Peace Corps, or was it local?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] To to write grants and to to teach English or to help them out in any way.

[Assistant] So who would you write grants to?

[User] So when I did write grants, I got them funding through the Peace Corps. Let me just look up what I did. There’s two Peace Corps grants.

[Assistant] So you got funding from the National Peace Corps, or was it local?

[User] Local, I think. Yeah.

[Assistant] And that were there other sources?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] So when I did write grants, I got them funding through the Peace Corps. Let me just look up what I did. There’s two Peace Corps grants.

[Assistant] So you got funding from the National Peace Corps, or was it local?

[User] Local, I think. Yeah.

[Assistant] And that were there other sources?

[User] Peace Corps Partnership Program. I got some small computers my second year and I also got them donations of English books from a place in Connecticut. And they would come every like four months or so, a box of English books. And so in the computer lab, I got them two computers plus bookshelves and. And they thought that was great.

[Assistant] Was that the idea, to go to Peace Corps in the United States for funding, or other sources in Georgia?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Local, I think. Yeah.

[Assistant] And that were there other sources?

[User] Peace Corps Partnership Program. I got some small computers my second year and I also got them donations of English books from a place in Connecticut. And they would come every like four months or so, a box of English books. And so in the computer lab, I got them two computers plus bookshelves and. And they thought that was great.

[Assistant] Was that the idea, to go to Peace Corps in the United States for funding, or other sources in Georgia?

[User] That was a source in Georgia, Peace Corps Georgia. And then I did other funding for respect for for the non profit Spectry. I was able to renovate the regional hospital’s gynecological department. I got funding. I, I wrote a grant for the gynecology department. So I interviewed the doctor there and the director of the hospital. And Sophico was there for that.

[Assistant] And where did what kind of funding did you get for that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Peace Corps Partnership Program. I got some small computers my second year and I also got them donations of English books from a place in Connecticut. And they would come every like four months or so, a box of English books. And so in the computer lab, I got them two computers plus bookshelves and. And they thought that was great.

[Assistant] Was that the idea, to go to Peace Corps in the United States for funding, or other sources in Georgia?

[User] That was a source in Georgia, Peace Corps Georgia. And then I did other funding for respect for for the non profit Spectry. I was able to renovate the regional hospital’s gynecological department. I got funding. I, I wrote a grant for the gynecology department. So I interviewed the doctor there and the director of the hospital. And Sophico was there for that.

[Assistant] And where did what kind of funding did you get for that?

[User] So I ended up meeting the with some Peace Corps get together the like. I think he was assistant ambassador for the embassy and he said they were looking to renovate hospitals. So we got ten thousand dollars from the State Department and Counterpart International donated medical equipment and also did the renovation of the hospital. So I included a bathroom, new beds, a surgical table, paint, you know.

[Assistant] So you guys had funding from State Department and who was the local?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] That was a source in Georgia, Peace Corps Georgia. And then I did other funding for respect for for the non profit Spectry. I was able to renovate the regional hospital’s gynecological department. I got funding. I, I wrote a grant for the gynecology department. So I interviewed the doctor there and the director of the hospital. And Sophico was there for that.

[Assistant] And where did what kind of funding did you get for that?

[User] So I ended up meeting the with some Peace Corps get together the like. I think he was assistant ambassador for the embassy and he said they were looking to renovate hospitals. So we got ten thousand dollars from the State Department and Counterpart International donated medical equipment and also did the renovation of the hospital. So I included a bathroom, new beds, a surgical table, paint, you know.

[Assistant] So you guys had funding from State Department and who was the local?

[User] Counterpart International.

[Assistant] Counterpart International. And you did this all in English or in English?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] So I ended up meeting the with some Peace Corps get together the like. I think he was assistant ambassador for the embassy and he said they were looking to renovate hospitals. So we got ten thousand dollars from the State Department and Counterpart International donated medical equipment and also did the renovation of the hospital. So I included a bathroom, new beds, a surgical table, paint, you know.

[Assistant] So you guys had funding from State Department and who was the local?

[User] Counterpart International.

[Assistant] Counterpart International. And you did this all in English or in English?

[User] Yeah, it was in English. I had the English teacher from the U.S. translate for me to the doctor because he didn't speak any English or my Georgian wasn't good enough. So that was a great success and that took that took like a year and a half and in the process and I just communicated with the doctor at the hospital, he sat there looking at more kind of renovation projects on their own. I thought it was what a wonderful idea. They never thought of looking for funding for their hospital before. So they thought that was great.

[Assistant] And you just happened to find out about that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Counterpart International.

[Assistant] Counterpart International. And you did this all in English or in English?

[User] Yeah, it was in English. I had the English teacher from the U.S. translate for me to the doctor because he didn't speak any English or my Georgian wasn't good enough. So that was a great success and that took that took like a year and a half and in the process and I just communicated with the doctor at the hospital, he sat there looking at more kind of renovation projects on their own. I thought it was what a wonderful idea. They never thought of looking for funding for their hospital before. So they thought that was great.

[Assistant] And you just happened to find out about that?

[User] And so I, I was looking to do community development projects with. So because she thought of I thought it was like one of the hospitals. And so she, she thought the gynecology department there needed some, some assistance because wealthy Georgians in Sagarejo would just go into Tbilisi. But the poor population doesn't, can't afford to do that to go to the with the hospitals. So it ends up serving the poor Georgians in Sagarejo, as well as small Azeri population that resettle near there, so it was badly needed, you know, like the windows were broken and everything, so, yeah. Very pleased.

[Assistant] So that's great. Yeah. So that's what you did. And that's why a big project. So that took quite a bit of time.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, it was in English. I had the English teacher from the U.S. translate for me to the doctor because he didn't speak any English or my Georgian wasn't good enough. So that was a great success and that took that took like a year and a half and in the process and I just communicated with the doctor at the hospital, he sat there looking at more kind of renovation projects on their own. I thought it was what a wonderful idea. They never thought of looking for funding for their hospital before. So they thought that was great.

[Assistant] And you just happened to find out about that?

[User] And so I, I was looking to do community development projects with. So because she thought of I thought it was like one of the hospitals. And so she, she thought the gynecology department there needed some, some assistance because wealthy Georgians in Sagarejo would just go into Tbilisi. But the poor population doesn't, can't afford to do that to go to the with the hospitals. So it ends up serving the poor Georgians in Sagarejo, as well as small Azeri population that resettle near there, so it was badly needed, you know, like the windows were broken and everything, so, yeah. Very pleased.

[Assistant] So that's great. Yeah. So that's what you did. And that's why a big project. So that took quite a bit of time.

[User] Yeah. And a lot of waiting too. But I also taught English at the youth house and to about first graders and I also taught an English class to adults, to medical doctors for the first year that I was there.

[Assistant] You lived with another Peace Corps volunteer you said?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And so I, I was looking to do community development projects with. So because she thought of I thought it was like one of the hospitals. And so she, she thought the gynecology department there needed some, some assistance because wealthy Georgians in Sagarejo would just go into Tbilisi. But the poor population doesn't, can't afford to do that to go to the with the hospitals. So it ends up serving the poor Georgians in Sagarejo, as well as small Azeri population that resettle near there, so it was badly needed, you know, like the windows were broken and everything, so, yeah. Very pleased.

[Assistant] So that's great. Yeah. So that's what you did. And that's why a big project. So that took quite a bit of time.

[User] Yeah. And a lot of waiting too. But I also taught English at the youth house and to about first graders and I also taught an English class to adults, to medical doctors for the first year that I was there.

[Assistant] You lived with another Peace Corps volunteer you said?

[User] No, I lived with a host family, with a host family. So like my first year, they had a vineyard. So my first year, they took me out to the vineyard to pick grapes. And they showed me the process of how they put the grapes through the machine that squashes them. And then it goes down into this huge, huge, huge barrel and they're in the basement of the house and it ferments there and then they drink it.

[Assistant] Was it good wine?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, I lived with a host family, with a host family. So like my first year, they had a vineyard. So my first year, they took me out to the vineyard to pick grapes. And they showed me the process of how they put the grapes through the machine that squashes them. And then it goes down into this huge, huge, huge barrel and they're in the basement of the house and it ferments there and then they drink it.

[Assistant] Was it good wine?

[User] It was fine. Not the best wine, but it's what it was there to drink. So, yeah. And they also had what they called dinner party supras. And somehow my house mother would have them for birthdays or for different occasions. And so that's when they bring out the national dishes like khinkali and tons of food.

[Assistant] What’s that?

[User] Khinkali’s a meat dumpling. My other favorite food was khachapuri, cheese bread, so cheese baked inside bread. But otherwise I ate a lot of cheese and a lot of bread and a lot of soupe, which was, and potato. So that was kind of my meal. It would take me. I lived on the main road and I'd walk up this huge hill to get to the center of town of Sagarejo and that's where the youth house was and everything. So I had my own little routine in in Sagarejo in the village, so people would wave to me on my way to work and stuff like that.

[Assistant] Did you get to be friends with other folks or mostly the family you were with?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It was fine. Not the best wine, but it's what it was there to drink. So, yeah. And they also had what they called dinner party supras. And somehow my house mother would have them for birthdays or for different occasions. And so that's when they bring out the national dishes like khinkali and tons of food.

[Assistant] What’s that?

[User] Khinkali’s a meat dumpling. My other favorite food was khachapuri, cheese bread, so cheese baked inside bread. But otherwise I ate a lot of cheese and a lot of bread and a lot of soupe, which was, and potato. So that was kind of my meal. It would take me. I lived on the main road and I'd walk up this huge hill to get to the center of town of Sagarejo and that's where the youth house was and everything. So I had my own little routine in in Sagarejo in the village, so people would wave to me on my way to work and stuff like that.

[Assistant] Did you get to be friends with other folks or mostly the family you were with?

[User] Mostly the family. And that's probably because of the language barrier. I found Georgian hard to study. I did pay a tutor. But it was all right. Nobody expects the American to know Georgian.

[Assistant] Is Georgian like Russian?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Khinkali’s a meat dumpling. My other favorite food was khachapuri, cheese bread, so cheese baked inside bread. But otherwise I ate a lot of cheese and a lot of bread and a lot of soupe, which was, and potato. So that was kind of my meal. It would take me. I lived on the main road and I'd walk up this huge hill to get to the center of town of Sagarejo and that's where the youth house was and everything. So I had my own little routine in in Sagarejo in the village, so people would wave to me on my way to work and stuff like that.

[Assistant] Did you get to be friends with other folks or mostly the family you were with?

[User] Mostly the family. And that's probably because of the language barrier. I found Georgian hard to study. I did pay a tutor. But it was all right. Nobody expects the American to know Georgian.

[Assistant] Is Georgian like Russian?

[User] It's actually. I looked it up yesterday. It's closest to Greek.

[Assistant] So did you what did you do during vacations? Did you have vacations?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Mostly the family. And that's probably because of the language barrier. I found Georgian hard to study. I did pay a tutor. But it was all right. Nobody expects the American to know Georgian.

[Assistant] Is Georgian like Russian?

[User] It's actually. I looked it up yesterday. It's closest to Greek.

[Assistant] So did you what did you do during vacations? Did you have vacations?

[User] Yeah, yeah, I did some trips with other volunteers. My first winter, I went to Ukraine with a group and we did Ukraine.

[Assistant] By train or how did you get there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It's actually. I looked it up yesterday. It's closest to Greek.

[Assistant] So did you what did you do during vacations? Did you have vacations?

[User] Yeah, yeah, I did some trips with other volunteers. My first winter, I went to Ukraine with a group and we did Ukraine.

[Assistant] By train or how did you get there?

[User] We did it by train. We flew and then we we went by train to different places. And I mostly followed one of the volunteers. He was a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Russia. So he had lived and been to all these places. He was fluent in Russian. So he was sort of like our tour guide and I just kind of tagged along. But it was I thought Ukraine was beautiful with the churches and in the wintertime is a really great. And then I went out on another trip. To I went to Azerbaijan on a trip a year, a year through my service with a different group of volunteers, and they always stayed with expats who worked for, I think, BP, is that the oil company? And so we had a nice place to stay and that we saw Baku and we went out to even stayed at another Peace Corps volunteer’s site. I can't remember where it was, but we stayed with her and then we went off to this village that had one of those windy roads. You know, you see the bus in the bottom of the hill. So it's kind of scary.

[Assistant] So you traveled around the whole area?