Interview with George Ken Shuey, August 29, 2022

Interview Summary

Ken Shuey served as Peace Corps Volunteer teaching at a rural secondary boarding school on the side of a half mile wide river in Sarawak (Borneo) Malaysia from 1963-65; staff of the Hilo (HI) Peace Corps Training Center from 1965-69; and training project director in Western Samoa in 1975. He praises the training he got as a volunteer and discusses changes in training. He talks about British colonial education, the transition from colonialism to Malaysian independence, the insurgent conflict between Malaysia and Indonesia over Borneo, and his post-service travels in Asia and the Pacific. His speaks fondly of his students and visiting their families. He also discusses reverse culture shock in coming back to the US and the lasting impact Peace Corps service had on his world view. See his story and painting at the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Malaysia (Country of Service) education (Peace Corps program)1963-65 (years of service) Peace Corps staff Hilo Training Center (Hawaii) 1965-69 (years of service) Peace Corps staff training project director Western Samoa (country of service) 1975 (year of service) Iban (local indigenous population British colonialism (historical context) Malaysian independence (historical context) Malaysian-Indonesian conflict (historical context) Vietnam War (historical context) Guam (historical context) Peace Corps impact Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) (a not-for-profit international development organization charity).

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