Interview with Sandy Girard, May 18, 2022

Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project

Interview Summary

Sandy Girard served in Ukraine from 2003-4 in a Community Economic Development program after working in business. She discusses her positive feelings about Ukrainians, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine and the broadening impact her experience has had on her life. However, she faults Peace Corps for inadequately briefing volunteers about political tensions in the country or adequately supporting volunteers to ensure their safety. She discusses her 2 medical separations; one after she and a fellow PCV were robbed and physically assaulted in Yalta, and the second after the Ukrainian Secret Policy re-traumatized her by making inquiries and turning people against her as a possible American spy. She discusses mostly friendly curiosity about her as an immigrant Korean American and her parents’ concern about her joining the Peace Corps and returning after being evacuated. She also talks about working in a nonprofit in Crimea to promote tourism and their expectation of her as a rainmaker.

Interview Accession

2022oh1263_pcrv0581

Interviewee Name

Sandy Girard

Interviewer Name

Evelyn Ganzglass

Interview Date

2022-05-18

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Girard, Sandy Interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. 18 May. 2022. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Girard, S. (2022, May 18). Interview by E. Ganzglass. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Girard, Sandy, interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. May 18, 2022, Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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