Interview with Samera Baird, May 23, 2021

Interview Summary

Samera Baird served with her husband Bill in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands in Micronesia teaching English as a Second Language from 1968-1970. They were married two years before they served. Their group, Micronesia 7, had an initial language training and psychological evaluation in Escondido, California, before leaving for Micronesia by way of Guam for the rest of their pre-service training. During training, Samera’s father suddenly passed, and they went home to Tennessee but missed the funeral. Her loss remained a source of pain throughout her service. She and her husband served in sites on Namorik Atoll and Ebon Atoll; both were remote locations. Their accommodations and diet were simple but she appreciated the social cohesion and reciprocity they experienced. Returning to the US had its challenges, but she went on to finish her BA, MA, and PhD and brought her service home by continuing to work with challenged students throughout her career.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) University of Tennessee Micronesia Marshall Islands (Country of service) Namorik Atoll Ebon Atoll Majuro Atoll Ratak Chain, Marshall Islands Ralik Chain, Marshall Islands Guam Escondido, California Peace Corps training Teaching English as a Second Language Gloria Tate (TESL method) Breadfruit Fishing Cultural notions of time Technology Boating Bikini Atoll Atomic testing Imperialism Intercultural understanding Pacific Islands Marshalese culture Marshalese immigration to US Marshalese language survival cultural artifacts 1968-1970 (Dates of service)

Interview Rights

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.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.