Interview with Laura Sundquist, May 21, 2021

Interview Summary

Laura Sundquist had community service instilled in her growing up. She graduated with a degree in Spanish Education from Montana State University, including studying abroad in Costa Rica and Mexico. She joined AmeriCorps. Laura’s Pre-Service Training followed the community-based model living with a host family in Los Toros, Azua. Technical training focused on IT education of which Laura didn’t have much experience. Laura was assigned to a high school in Mella, Independencia. There was no internet, nor consistent power supply. The high school had an IT lab with ten recently arrived computers. It was necessary to start with literacy classes in order to use the computers. She started reading clubs and a book making project through Rotary. Laura also worked with youth on HIV prevention as well as parenting support groups. She learned humility, patience, and seeing things from different perspectives. Laura was a PCVL in her third year.

Interview Keyword

Service Montana State University Education Study Abroad Costa Rica Mexico AmeriCorps Dominican Republic (Country of Service) Education Sector IT Pre-Service Training Community-based Training Model Los Toros, Azua Pantoja Mella Independencia Lago Enriquillo Project partner High School literacy reading clubs book project Rotary HIV Parent support group Amigo de las Americas PCVL special education Volunteer February 2003 to June 2006 (Years of service) Program Manager of Education Sector (April 2016 to present [2021])

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