Interview with Carl K. Cheney, February 26, 2021
Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Carl Cheney served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone from 1965-1967. He discusses studying African history in college, and teaching West African history at Kenema Government Secondary School. He describes challenges he faced, including a lack of textbooks, and students used to rote learning. He describes his successes, including his students doing well in O-level exams, and writing student texts and instructor guides to strengthen history teaching at the school. He talks about working with another Peace Corps Volunteer to promote improved rice farming methods; his travels in Nigeria; traveling with his father in Sierra Leone; and his exposure to Islam. He provides a vivid picture of life in Kenema, and reflects on not having made closer friendships with Sierra Leoneans due to easier friendships with fellow volunteers and other expatriates. He describes his Third Goal activities, including teaching African literature to high school teachers and African American undergraduates, and speaking about Africato community groups.Interview Accession
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Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Sierra Leone Sierra Leone 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
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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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Cheney, Carl K. Interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. 26 Feb. 2021. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Cheney, C.K. (2021, February 26). Interview by E. Ganzglass. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Cheney, Carl K., interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. February 26, 2021, Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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