Interview with James "Jim" Weglarz, January 2, 2024
Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project
Interview Summary
James Weglarz served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic (DR) from 1997-99. He served in a Community Education program. He discusses being considered for West Africa and being reassigned to the DR because of asthma and after working as a counselor in a Fresh Air Fund camp. He praises the practical language, cultural and technical training he received at the Entrena training center, field trips they took, visiting his site and feeling overwhelmed during training and later feeling comfortable in the Dominican society with the help of Peace Corps staff, counterparts, and fellow volunteers. He discusses helping the El Factor de Nagua community plan and raise money for building a new school, other fund-raising activities, conducting youth programs, coaching, informally teaching English and befriending townspeople. He talks about the impact service has had on his becoming more globally oriented, feeling comfortable with who he is, and with people unlike himself.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
Peace Corps (US) Dominican Republic (Country of Service) Community Education (Peace Corps program) 1997-99 (years of service as Peace Corps Volunteer) El Factor de Nagua (town where he served) Entrena Training Center (Peace Corps training site owned by John Seibel, an RPCV who served in the DR) Small Project Assistance (SPA) (USAID grant he helped secure during his second year)Seung Yu (friend from Peace Corps service and principal of Stuyvesant High School in NYC.)Interview Rights
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Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
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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.
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Weglarz, James Interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. 02 Jan. 2024. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Weglarz, J. (2024, January 02). 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.
Weglarz, James, interview by Evelyn Ganzglass. January 02, 2024, 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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