Interview with Allison Irland Wawrin, February 15, 2021

Interview Summary

Allison Irland Wawrin served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea from 1997 to 2001 in the Education Program. Allison applied and was accepted for Togo, but turned down the invitation. She applied again several years later and was invited to Papua New Guinea with Training Group 28. Language (Melanesian Pidgin), culture, and technical training was conducted in Goroka. During training she stayed with a family in Yatega village. Allison’s assignment was in Goroka teaching English, math, and computer literacy at a high school. She set up a computer lab, created a 4-year curriculum, designed adult classes, and trained 15 computer teachers. Additional projects included an oral history project, physics club, and AIDS awareness club. Allison extended twice, and stayed on for an additional three months as an Operations/Safety and Security consultant. The interview discusses her work and travels in Papua New Guinea, reflections on service, and service related work after Peace Corps.

Interview Keyword

Papua New Guinea (Country of service) 1997-2001 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Melanesian Pidgin (Language) Goroka (Training site) Yatega (Assignment site) English teaching Math teaching Computer literacy AIDS awareness Extended service Peace Corps (U.S.)--1990-2000

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Tok Pisin language Women teachers. Goroka (Papua New Guinea) Papua New Guinea. Science teachers Mathematics teachers 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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