Interview with Whitney Brown, August 20, 2020

Interview Summary

This is the second of two interviews conducted with Whitney Brown for the Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Oral History Project. [Part one available here] Whitney Brown studied at Virginia Commonwealth University for her B.A. in sociology and criminal justice and at SUNY/Binghamton for her M.A. in social work. She had 10+ years of work experience with non-profits engaged in social services for youth and families, supporting individual needs to macro level policy work. Whitney’s passion for assisting the marginalized made Peace Corps a natural fit. The seven-month application process was particularly stressful. She accepted her first choice of Botswana, working in youth development. Pre-Service Training provided the foundation to continue learning during service. She was assigned to a middle school in Kanye, 45 minutes from the capitol. She worked with the guidance counselor presenting a life skills program for students. She created a supplemental program providing support and resources for students struggling academically. Whitney’s Botswana catchphrase became, “I am me because of we.” This extended part of her interview completes the story of her evacuation that was started in the first session and concludes with her experience and perspective on diversity as a Volunteer of color and of others' experiences she was aware of with the host country, Volunteers, and Peace Corps staff.

Interview Keyword

Botswana (Country of service) 2019-2020 (Date of service) Youth Development #covid19 Evacuation Diversity Diversity in the Peace Corps Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Youth in Development Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Botswana Botswana COVID-19 (Disease) 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 Minorities Race relations

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.