Interview with Lauri Arvid Anderson, May 3, 2022

Interview Summary

Lauri Arvid Anderson served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nigeria, from January 1966 to June 1967, in the Education Program. Lauri learned of Peace Corps while attending the University of Maine. Being an avid reader led to an interest in the world beyond Maine, and a desire to travel. Lauri applied to Peace Corps after graduation and was invited to serve with Nigeria 17. Training was conducted entirely in the U.S., at Michigan State University. It included Housa language and Nigerian culture. Lauri’s first assignment was at Bornu Teachers’ College in Maiduguri, where he taught English and coached basketball. Lauri and fellow PCVs introduced the study of Nigerian literature into the curriculum. After the first academic term, Lauri married a fellow PCV, and moved to Onicha Olona. He taught at a Catholic grammar school in the town of Ebu. Volunteers were evacuated in 1967 due to the Nigerian Civil War. The Andersons returned to the U.S. and attended graduate school. In 1971 Lauri took a job teaching in Chuuk, Micronesia, and later taught in Turkey. Lauri credits Peace Corps with setting him on a career course to work and live in other countries.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Nigeria (country of service) 1966-1967 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education University of Maine Nigeria 17 (training cohort) Housa (language) Bornu Teachers’ College Maiduguri (assignment site) Onicha Olona (assignment site) Ebu Nigerian Civil War Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteer Regional conflict Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Chuuk, Micronesia Turkey

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