Interview with William Fuller, October 7, 2021

Interview Summary

William Fuller was impressed with a Peace Corps recruiter’s presentation at John Carroll University. He graduated with a degree in English and Journalism. Bill was invited to teach English in Turkey. Pre-Service Training at the University of Texas, Austin lasted 12 weeks, including a two-week practicum in Mexico City. Bill was assigned to a middle school of 400 students in the small town of Saruhanli. Bill lived with a family for two years. He has maintained communication with multi-generations of the family and other Turkish friends. Bill taught three levels of grades 6-8 for nine classes of 50 students. In the summer, Bill developed a poultry project later funded by CARE. He worked as the Sports Director at a Summer camp sponsored by the Turkish Rotary: storytelling, sports, food, and beach trips. Bill wanted to acculturate recognizing the similarities in virtues he had with the Turkish people, only expressed in different ways! Turkey, June 1966 – Sept 1968, Education

Interview Keyword

Cleveland, Ohio Seminary John Carroll University English Journalism Peace Corps recruiter Vietnam university shooting Turkey TEFL Pre-Service Training University of Texas, Austin Mexico City Turkish language instructors Ankara Saruhanli Izmir Dolmus mini van welcome band Italk Egitim Muduru people’s committee Raki’ Lion’s Milk English classes middle school grades Adult classes poultry raising CARE Summer camp Turkish Rotary political questions visiting ritual vacation holy lands Pope Paul VI visit Simei now acculturate personal growth

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