Interview with Sarah Twing, October 16, 2020

Interview Summary

Sarah Twing was born in Uzbekistan and lived in an orphanage until she was adopted by an Irish-American couple at 3 ½ years of age. In this second interview session, Twing talks about issues of diversity: race, ethnicity, nationality, and gender. She talks about thinking of herself growing up as white. As a Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, she was called “yellow” and “Chinese.” Her service drew her to consider her own identity as Uzbek, Asian, and American. Twing also observed the social dynamics of gender as a Volunteer when she saw a white male Volunteer receiving more respect and attention than she was receiving. Twing talks about some of the constraints that Volunteers of color have in considering Peace Corps. She also offers some suggestions about diversifying Peace Corps staff.

[This is the second interview with Twing. The first can be found here: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7zr5cksh2qk]

Interview Keyword

Asian Americans Uzbekistan Americans Gender Social dynamics Adoption Diversity in the Peace Corps Dominican Republic (Country of service) 2013-2015 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Youth in Development

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Dominican Republic Dominican Republic 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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Interview Usage

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