Interview with Virginia Gilbert, June 22, 2021

Interview Summary

Virginia Gilbert served in the Peace Corps in South Korea from 1971 to 1973. She completed her MFA with the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, then headed to Peace Corps pre-service training in Vermont. She applied because she wanted to help others. Gilbert was posted in Jecheon, Chungcheonbuk-do, South Korea, where she taught girls in a combined middle/high school. Peace Corps provided her with a library which she shared with her Korean co-workers and students. When she received an anthology with her picture and poems, her co-teacher Pak Hwang Ku exclaimed, “America must be a great country to send us its poets.” Gilbert says she tried to be a good reflection on the U.S. and gained more than she gave to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea Foundation sent South Korean RPCVs survival boxes containing masks, antimicrobial gloves, etc. Being a Volunteer was a valuable experience for her and, she hopes, also for the Korean people whom she grew to love.

Interview Keyword

Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Iowa Writer's Workshop Vermont Jecheon, Chungcheonbuk-do (South Korea) South Korea (Country of service) Teachers Korea Foundation Teaching 1971-1973 (Date of service)

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--South Korea South Korea 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 Volunteers

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