Interview with Lindsey Calhoun, August 22, 2020
Project: Peace Corps: COVID-19 Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Lindsey Calhoun graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught Chinese children English online before joining Peace Corps. Her application was submitted and approved within a month. She felt unprepared after training, but also found everything useful, especially the dictum, “don't assume!" Her “friendship family” welcomed her. Lindsey had 400 students in her English classes. She made a point of having lunch with students on a daily basis. She also engaged in activities with her students on weekends. Peace Corps provided her with the understanding of how to integrate into a culture, beyond tourist or consultant. She discovered that the students in China face similar issues as students in the U.S. Medical staff were not initially concerned with COVID-19. Lindsey was evacuated from China and a friend sent her belongings. Frustrated U.S. doctors refuse to treat RPCVs because Peace Corps is late with payments.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
China (County of service) 2019-2020 (Date of service) Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) University of South Carolina (USC) Child advocacy Online teaching Applications Training Friendship families WeChat app Students Leisure time Integration Evacuation Medical advice Peace Corps advocacy Aiken, South Carolina Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education #covid19Interview LC Subject
Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--China China COVID-19 (Disease) Acculturation Communication and culture Culture Culture shock Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations Interpersonal relations and culture Language and culture Language and languages Lifestyles Manners and customs Voluntarism VolunteersInterview Rights
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Calhoun, Lindsey Interview by Randolph A. Adams. 22 Aug. 2020. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Calhoun, L. (2020, August 22). Interview by R. A. Adams. Peace Corps: COVID-19 Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Calhoun, Lindsey, interview by Randolph A. Adams. August 22, 2020, Peace Corps: COVID-19 Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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