Interview with Lois Harris, August 7, 2020

Interview Summary

Lois Harris began serving in the Peace Corps in Liberia in 1963. Initially, Harris taught 35 fourth graders for six weeks at a Catholic girls' school in Monrovia. Harris was then moved to a northern iron mining town for six weeks to give evening English classes to the miners. Harris was moved a final time to a school built with USAID funds. Harris and her roommate lived in a house rented by the Peace Corps. The house had electricity and an outhouse. Harris recounts two incidents that demonstrate the limitations of the local healthcare and transportation systems. Harris feels that her greatest achievement was providing education to students who had never been to school before. After returning to the U.S., Harris found that people couldn't believe the impoverished living conditions where she had served. Harris viewed the news with a broader, global perspective. Harris comments on the need for travel to widen one's perspective.

Interview Keyword

Monrovia (Liberia) Teaching English as a second language Teachers Teaching Volunteer workers in education Living arrangements Dangers Malaria Living conditions

Interview LC Subject

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