Interview with Jacob Argue, August 20, 2020
Project: Peace Corps: COVID-19 Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Jacob Argue’s family valued “giving back.” Looking for opportunities, he learned about Peace Corps through research as being high impact/soft power. He received a B.A. from the University of Utah in mathematics and economics. Jacob accepted an assignment in Tanzania teaching physics. Pre-service training was held first in Korogwe Tanga then Mgombezi. Swahili and cross-cultural studies were appreciated. However, teaching methods were less useful. The practicum through the community-based training model was more instructive. Jacob was assigned to a school in the Kilosa Morogoro Region. There were distinctions in the various regions based on weather, commerce, and religion. The school system was very challenging, but not very practical for available employment. Jacob tried to introduce an alternative to corporal punishment as well as introduce new activities related to hygiene and refuse. Visas were challenged and Volunteers deemed illegal just as COVID-19 entered the country. He followed the virus’ movement through WhatsApp threads.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
Tanzania (Country of service) 2019-2020 (Date of service) University of Utah Mathematics Secondary education Training Korogwe Tanga Mgombezi Muslims Christians Kilosa Morogoro Region Corporal punishment Handwashing Visa revoked Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Harassment Evacuation EconomicsInterview LC Subject
Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Tanzania Tanzania 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
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Argue, Jacob Interview by Randolph A. Adams. 20 Aug. 2020. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Argue, J. (2020, August 20). 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.
Argue, Jacob, interview by Randolph A. Adams. August 20, 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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