Interview with Susannah Hopkins "Zan" Leisher, February 6, 2021
Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Susannah Hopkins "Zan" Leisher taught math as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from 1985-1987. She was inspired to join the Peace Corps after reading the words of John F. Kennedy as a young girl and applied while a senior in college. It took her 8 hours to hike to her village where she lived on the second floor above the cattle and had a stunning view of the Himalayas. She lived and ate with her host family, who were generous and kind, but she was often lonely. Her main classes had 70 students, but she had a couple of advanced classes with many fewer. She continues to communicate with some of her students. She came down with all sorts of medical disorders, and with her “Where There Is No Doctor” book and first aid kit, she was able to treat many of them herself, and even helped villagers a few times. After COS-ing, she and others in her group were touched by tragedy when a fellow volunteer disappeared and was never found. She worked afterwards on poverty reduction in non-profits all over the world and is presently getting her doctorate in epidemiology researching stillbirth.Interview Accession
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Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Nepal Nepal 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 VolunteersInterview Rights
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Leisher, Susannah Hopkins Interview by Candice D. Wiggum. 06 Feb. 2021. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Leisher, S.H. (2021, February 06). Interview by C. D. Wiggum. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Leisher, Susannah Hopkins, interview by Candice D. Wiggum. February 06, 2021, 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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