Interview with Robert Newman, April 23, 2021

Interview Summary

Robert Newman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in India from 1964 to 1966, in the Agriculture Program. Newman became interested in anthropology while attending Cornell University. His prior travels included a stint in Japan as a foreign exchange student and a trip to Honduras with a Cornell community development project. His motivations for volunteering were an interest in other cultures, a sense of adventure, and desire to serve the United States. Training for his group, India 9, was conducted at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Training activities included Hindi language lessons, physical conditioning, and technical training. Newman was assigned to the city of Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh, at an institution called Literacy House. His initial project was to provide training in raising poultry. Ultimately, his project proved unsuccessful in a predominantly vegetarian community. He adapted his role to the needs of the community and started a youth club in a nearby village. The interview discusses training; living and working in India; observations of cultural differences; the value of Peace Corps service; and his career after Peace Corps.

Interview Keyword

India (Country of service) 1964-1966 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Literacy House

Interview LC Subject

India Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Hindi Hindustani language Cornell University Training Culture Manners and customs Oregon State University Lucknow (India) Uttar Pradesh (India) Agriculture Poultry Vegetarians Peace Corps (U.S.)--India

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Interview Usage

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