Interview with Lydia McCloskey, February 11, 2021

Interview Summary

Lydia McCloskey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan from 2009 to 2012, working in the education program. In her sixties, after being widowed and upon return from hiking the Camino de Santiago, she applied to Peace Corps. Arabic language, culture, and technical training for her group, J-13, was at Al-Albayt University in Al-Mafraq. Her assignment was in Al-Husun, near Irbid, at a community college. She designed an English program and taught young men in a technical training class. McCloskey found that her age allowed her a greater deal of freedom than younger women. She formed friendships with students and was a frequent guest in their families’ homes. Her tour was extended so that she could train her replacement. Since returning to the U.S., McCloskey has been a volunteer with the Alternatives To Violence Project (AVP). She returned to Jordan to conduct AVP training at her former site. The interview includes thoughts on the role of PCVs with respect to local customs.

Interview Keyword

Jordan (Country of service) 2009-2012 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Arabic (Language) Jordan 13 (Training cohort) Older Americans Al-Mafraq (Jordan) Al al-Bayt University Al-Husun (Jordan) Alternatives to Violence (ATV) Teaching English as a foreign language Teaching English as a second language

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Jordan Jordan Peace Corps (U.S.)--2000-2010 Peace Corps (U.S.)--2010-2020 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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