Interview with Randolph Hobler, September 9, 2021

Interview Summary

Randolph Hobler served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Libya from 1968-1969 in an Education program. He spoke French and Spanish, and had requested an assignment in South America but was assigned to Libya. His group of about 100 trained at a Naval station in Utah, north of Salt Lake City. Training emphasized Arabic language and TOEFL instruction. Following a week in Tripoli, Randy moved to his site, a small village in the mountains, where he taught English to fourth and fifth graders. He was the only volunteer in a village with no other English speakers. His Peace Corps service ended abruptly after one year, when King Idris was overthrown in 1969 in a revolution led by Muammar Gaddafi. Randy returned to the United States and taught with Teacher Corps for a year. He later worked for two years in Saudi Arabia, and has written a 101 Arabian Tales: How We All Persevered in Peace Corps Libya, a book which collects the experiences of Peace Corps-Libya volunteers.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Libya (Country of service) 1968-1969 (Date of Service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)—1960-1970 Libya Arabic TOEFL King Idris Muammar Gaddafi Utah book author Teacher Corps Saudi Arabia culture shock training

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.