Interview with Donald "Don" Lovett, January 15, 2021

Interview Summary

Donald “Don” Lovett served as a fish and shrimp farming researcher and a University of Agriculture lecturer in Malaysia from 1978-1981. As a young man, he had a history of volunteerism and an interest in cross-culturalism. He had just completed his master's degree when he applied to Peace Corps, and after an initial bump in the process, was accepted in Malaysia. He grew very close to a local family and fell in love with Malaysia and its culture. Besides his official work, he taught swimming to university students and edited the Malaysian Peace Corps Volunteer magazine, "Pokok-Pokok," which he and another editor turned into a book. He shares many challenges and adventures in his interview. After 35 years, he revisited Malaysia and was warmly welcomed by his ‘family’ there. His experience has remained very important to him and has impacted how he teaches, how he travels, and how he’s lived his life.

Interview Keyword

Malaysia (Country of service) 1978-1981 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Aquaculture Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Dengue fever (Disease) Malay (Language) Swimming teachers Pokok Pokok (Magazine) Family relationships Food Impact Swimming teachers University professors Fish and shrimp farming researchers Magazine editors Secondary projects

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Malaysia Malaysia. Dengue. Fisheries. Fish ponds. College teachers. Research. Families. Manners and customs Malay language. 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 Voluntarism Volunteers

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Interview Usage

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