Interview with William Zweig, September 20, 2023

Interview Summary

William Zweig served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique from 2012 to 2014 in the education program. Volunteering for Peace Corps was a result of Will’s interest in experiencing other cultures, a love of travel, and a desire to work as an engineer in the International Development sector. Will’s cohort, Moz-19, trained in Namaacha. He was assigned to teach Physics to grades 11 and 12 at Escola Secundária 15 de Outubro in the town of Montepuez, Cabo Delgado. Will struggled with Portuguese language. He recounts how his teaching evolved from scripting his entire lessons to eventually feeling comfortable enough to incorporate storytelling, hands on experiments and demonstrations, and physics lessons that combined with other educational topics like history, math, and english. As a secondary project, Will designed and led the construction of a 35 meter footbridge. Will discusses his interactions with neighbors and students, and the impact of those relationships on his life. He remains in contact with many of those friends. After returning home, Will worked as a Civil Engineer, and eventually got a position as a Foreign Service Engineering Officer with USAID. At the time of this interview he lives and works in South Africa.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Mozambique (country of service) 2012-2014 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--2010-2020 international development Moz-19 (training cohort) Namaacha (training site) Escola Secundária 15 de Outubro Montepuez, Cabo Delgado (aassignment) Portuguese (language) USAID

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.