Interview with Mark Gorsak, July 2, 2021

Interview Summary

Mark Gorsak served as a volunteer in Education in Togo, 1986-1987. He heard about Peace Corps as a youth, wanted to serve his country, and was drawn to Peace Corps’ volunteer and teaching missions. In Togo, Mark taught math (in French) to 400 high school students in the town of Tabligbo. He taught sampling and estimation, which awakened an interest in statistics which led to a career as a survey methodologist for the federal government. Mark’s successes included helping an entire class pass its final math exam, and working to decrease deforestation by building efficient clay stoves. His challenges were health-related: he had malaria twice, Giardia, amoebas, a tumba fly infestation and was medevaced home four months early with disc ruptures. He values his people experiences in Togo and his bond with volunteers. Advice to future volunteers: be aware of your surroundings and realize you need not change the world.

Interview Keyword

Togo (Country of service) 1986-1987 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Togo: Peace Corps (U.S.)--1980-1990 French Language training Peace Corps-related medical issues People with disabilities Peace Corps (U.S.)

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Interview Usage

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