Interview with Patricia T. Edmisten, August 25, 2021

Interview Summary

Patricia T. Edmisten was engaged in Community Development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Arequipa and Ica, Peru from 1962-64 within three weeks of the Cuban Missile crisis. She tells many stories about PST and trying to find her niche in Arequipa, but was called to Ica when that town had a massive flood in 1963. She became an integral part of the Public Health effort in Ica when the flood occurred, she was able to relocate and transfer her skills to the Health sector. She talks about using her volunteer experiences as transformative, and as an integral part of her life upon her return to her home state, Wisconsin. Her stories are not only fun but enlightening. She concludes with unadulterated support for the Peace Corps by supporting more funding and its continued existence. She believes Peace Corps is the best type of Diplomacy.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peru (Country of Service) Community Development Service involved with Health workers (Peace Corps Program) Arequipa (city in Peru) Ica (1963 flood) Cuban Missile Crisis transformative Pre-Service Training (PST) Public Health Sector. 1963 Flood

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Interview Usage

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