Interview with Carmine Grasso, April 2, 2020

Interview Summary

Carmine Grasso was assigned to Kiribati (Gilbert Islands) from 1979 to 1981 as a Public Health volunteer. He and his girlfriend married shortly before joining so they could serve together. They spent a week going through a special training program at the Center for Assessment and Training (CAST) with 6 other couples and 6 single men, a training partially designed to determine who was best suited for the assignment. They arrived at the capital, Tarawa, a week after Kiribati’s independence from Britain, and trained while living with a host family on the island of Abemama. Training included learning Kiribati as well as basic skills needed for life on an isolated atoll. There had been a surge in cholera and dysentery, and Carmine’s job was to assist islanders in building latrines and improving water sources. Because their island, Onotoa, was so remote, there was little access to basic goods, and much of his time was spent  fishing so they could eat an adequate diet. During his last few months, he trained new couples, but due to the poor diet, heat, bugs, and remoteness, most quit before going to site. After service, Carmine returned to school and worked throughout the world in the field of public health.

Interview Keyword

Kiribati (Country of service) Gilbert Islands (Country of service) 1979-1981 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Public Health Sanitation Tarawa, Kiribati Abemama, Kiribati Onotoa, Kiribati Kiribati (Language) Atoll living Isolation challenges Center for Assessment and Training (CAST)

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Kiribati Kiribati 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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