Interview with Carolyn Smith Wentworth, June 8, 2021

Interview Summary

Carolyn Smith Wentworth talks about her life before joining Peace Corps, and of being inspired by President Kennedy to join the Peace Corps to teach in Kolambugan, Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines. She describes the vibrant economy and strong Muslim presence in Kolambugan, where she served as a teacher’s assistant in two primary schools. She tells of attending English as a second language (ESL) training in Quezon City, and of sharing what she learned by teaching fellow teachers and writing an ESL teaching manual distributed in her school district. Wentworth recalls the close relationships she enjoyed with many Filipinos at work and in the community. She describes Catholic-Muslim tensions that erupted during a mayoral election, threatening her town with violence; the aftermath led to her becoming closer to the community. She tells of her extensive travel after the Peace Corps, and reports that federal agencies were encouraged to recruit RPCV’s, which led to her career in the Veterans Administration.

Interview Keyword

Philippines (Country of service) 1962-1964 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education San Jose State University Spanish (Language) Tagalog (Language) Province of Cebu, Philippines Cebu City, Philippines Mindanao Island, Philippines Visayan Islands, Philippines Zamboanga, Philippines Municipality of Kolambugan, Philippines Province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines Province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines Findlay Miller Timber Company Bring-homes (Meal left-overs) Riverside Primary School Titunod Primary School Quezon City, Philippines Macarambon family Province of Baguio, Philippines Clark Air Force Base, Philippines Jolo Island, Philippines Tinikling (Philippine Folk Dance) Malong (Philippine wrap-around skirt) Job opportunities Veterans Administration. English as a second language (ESL)

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines Philippines 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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Interview Usage

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