Interview with Arthur Dobrin, November 24, 2020

Interview Summary

Arthur Dobrin served with his wife Lyn in Kenya from 1965-1967 as a rural community action volunteer. With the civil rights and other social movements becoming prominent, Arthur wanted a way to serve his country, and after speaking with Harris Wofford he talked to Lyn and they decided to join. Their families were not happy, but his long-term plans at that time included a doctorate in African Studies, so they chose Kenya. Since both were from the New York metro area, they were unsure about being rural volunteers. Their 3-month training was in Milwaukee where they were taught Swahili. When they arrived in Kisii, locals were expecting two men and weren’t sure how to use a couple. After taking a couple of months to research what was needed, Arthur ended up teaching both women and men about co-ops and visiting the co-ops. They loved where they lived and had little contact with the Peace Corps office. There were a couple of medical challenges: an illness on first arrival and Lyn’s pregnancy. The birth of their son helped integrate them even more into society. After leaving Peace Corps, Arthur became a Leader in the Ethical Humanist Society and a professor at Hofstra University, and they have maintained a relationship with Kenya since they left.

Interview Keyword

Kenya (Country of service) 1965-1967 (Date of service) Swahili (Language) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Rural Community Action Cooperatives Medical issues Pregnancy Ethical Humanists Professors

Interview LC Subject

Kenya Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Kenya 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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