Interview with Madison Garraus, March 14, 2022

Interview Summary

Madison Garraus was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in international affairs and real estate. She had participated in community service in the U.S., with immigrants in Greece, and had some teaching experience. She was assigned to an ESL project in Moldova. She had two co-teachers at an elementary and high school in Căzănești. Madison taught six hours a day. She also organized English clubs each meeting once a week after school. On weekends she took walks and prepared for classes. Socializing was usually during holiday celebrations. The town had many residents working in other countries sending remittances home. Having internet available allowed families to maintain communication. Madison learned to expect the unexpected. She also saw how politics could become intertwined with everyday affairs. Her evacuation was unexpected as well as quick. Volunteers were depressed, shocked that their service was over.

Interview Keyword

Sarasota, Florida church community service Florida State University international affairs college fair recruiter application education Moldova Chisinau, Pre-Service Training host family Language Romanian Cross-culture norms Technical practicum alcoholism Cazanesti site host family Vadul-leca village elementary school high school partners co-teachers principal teacher mamaliga polenta placinta pie socializing immigration Italy Germany France remittances vacation Baltic northern capital friendships English clubs masa celebration meal internet boundaries political contexts concerns Kompot stew Confidence complexities communication styles context cultural competency evacuation emotions lessons learned real estate

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