Interview with Gail Arnold Coburn, July 14, 2021

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

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Interview Summary

Gail Arnold Coburn was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Democratic Republic of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1974 to 1976. Coburn studied zoology at Humboldt State University. A trip to India inspired her to travel and a Peace Corps recruiter suggested Peace Corps. She was invited to teach science in Zaire. Training was in Zaire at a training site in Bukavu. Training included language and practice teaching. During the first year, Coburn taught English and science at a school in Bolenge, and the second year she taught science at a nursing school in Kisantu. During the interview, Coburn describes housing, transportation, common foods, and cultural challenges. Instead of returning directly home after her service, Coburn traveled in Africa and Europe for several months. After applying for many federal positions, Coburn was hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sacramento, California and she continued working in the environmental field until retirement.

Interview Accession

2021oh0595_pcrv0320

Interviewee Name

Gail Arnold Coburn

Interviewer Name

Marya Nowakowski

Interview Date

2021-07-14

Interview Rights

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.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

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Coburn, Gail Arnold Interview by Marya Nowakowski. 14 Jul. 2021. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Coburn, G.A. (2021, July 14). Interview by M. Nowakowski. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Coburn, Gail Arnold, interview by Marya Nowakowski. July 14, 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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