Interview with Jeffrey Boal, May 3, 2021

Interview Summary

Jeffrey Boal served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Palau from 1966 to 1968, in the Education (TESL) Program. While attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, Jeff saw a Peace Corps recruiting poster saying “Peace Corps Goes To Paradise”. He opted to apply to Peace Corps, rather than enter military service or graduate school. Jeff’s group, Micronesia 3, trained in Miami Beach, Florida. Jeff was assigned to a grammar school on the island of Peleliu, where he shared a house with a local host family. Secondary projects included applying for a grant to build a school kitchen, and clearing an unused airstrip. During the first summer of his service, Jeff volunteered to assist Peace Corps with a trial in-country training program on Truk for incoming volunteers. Jeff proposed conducting future training on Peleliu, and became a Deputy Director in his final months of service, serving as liaison with local community leaders. Jeff married a fellow volunteer. Several years later they taught English in Yokkaichi Japan through YMCA. Jeff’s Peace Corps experience and interest in teaching English in other countries led to his creating a Teacher Exchange Program with Mexico, through his Rotary Club.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Palau (country of service) Palau Truk 1966-1968 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Vietnam War Palauan (language) University of California, Santa Barbara Micronesia 3 Peleliu

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