Interview with Sujata Ram, January 11, 2022

Interview Summary

Sujata immigrated from India to the US at 8 years old. She graduated from Bucknell University with an accounting degree. Her parents were very positive albeit cautious about her acceptance to serve in Western Samoa. She taught accounting and economics in middle and high school on the main island of Upolu in Leulumoenga. Sujata lived in compound faculty housing. Because of the isolation she had few friendships with other teachers who went back to their home villages on weekends. She had a packed day teaching 3-4 classes with evenings preparing lessons using a New Zealand curriculum teaching in English, which limited her learning Samoan. Apia, the Samoan Capital, reminded Sujata of an “old Western” town with a fire station, post office, hotel, guest houses and a big market. No streetlights or traffic lights! She was never visited by Peace Corps staff. Peace Corps was life changing. Ultimately, she realized who she was and now works in international health! Western Samoa, November 1990 to December 1992, Education Sector

Interview Keyword

immigrant India Assam Pennsylvania campus recruiter Fiji CPA Western Samoa Upolu Leulumoenga middle school high school accounting economics Savaii housing compound faculty housing class preparation New Zealand curriculum town description school principal pa’alangi foreigner corporal punishment fale house open sides leisure swimming reading writing vacation isolation no in-service training feeling comfortable secondary projects anxiety leaving relationships boyfriends capacity development Non-competitive Eligibility changing careers MPH Emory University diversity self-realization

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