Interview with John Penisten, March 20, 2021

Interview Summary

John Penisten served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji Group 1 from 1968 to 1969. His interest was triggered by a “Peace Corps Goes To Paradise” poster at Drake University. His language, culture, and technical training were conducted in Hilo, Hawaii. Training also included jungle survival skills, in the Waipio Valley. Upon arrival in Fiji, his group had additional training outside of Nausori, and at the Lami Coop Training Centre. Before going to their assignments, the group was welcomed by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the Chief Minister, and met Sir Derek Jakeway, the British Colonial Administrator. Penisten’s assignment was in the Cakaudrove Province on the island of Vanua Levu, based out of the Agriculture Station in Tukavesi, on Buca Bay. His primary assignment was an agriculture survey of the area. The interview discusses training; living and work experiences; and relationships with fellow volunteers, Fijian co-workers, and villagers. Penisten recently published a memoir of his Peace Corps Service titled “Green Hills and Blue Lagoons.”

Interview Keyword

Fiji (Country of service) 1968-1969 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Fiji 1 (Training cohort) Fijian (Language) Hilo, Hawaii Drake University Lami Co-op Training Centre Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Sir Derek Jakeway Vanua Levu, Fiji Cakaudrove Province, Fiji Buca Bay, Fiji Savasavu Tukavesi, Fiji Taveuni, Fiji

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Fiji Fiji Fijians Hilo (Hawaii) Fijian language Suva (Fiji) Drake University Savusavu (Fiji) Vanua Levu (Fiji) Mara, Kamisese, Ratu Sir, 1920-2004 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 Agriculture

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Interview Usage

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