Interview with Doris Rubenstein, October 2, 2020

Interview Summary

Doris Rubenstein served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador from 1971 through 1973 in the Agriculture and Education programs. Doris joined Peace Corps after graduating from the University of Michigan, majoring in Spanish Language and Literature. Training was conducted in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It included language, history, culture, and geography. Her first assignment was the Pichilingue Tropical Agriculture Research Station of the National Agriculture Research Institute, Quevedo, Ecuador. She taught English to agriculture researchers, translated documents, and served as an interpreter for international visitors. She was transferred to the Santa Catalina Agriculture Research Station near Quito, and later to a newly-established rural village in the Ecuadorian Amazon to help establish an Agriculture Experimentation Station. There, she assisted with research and worked with local women to set up family gardens. Doris remains in contact with many of her students, co-workers, many friends, and fellow volunteers. The interview discusses motivations for joining Peace Corps, training, and experiences as a volunteer.

Interview Keyword

Ecuador (Country of service) 1971-1973 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Spanish (Language) Ponce, Puerto Rico (Training site) Pichilingue Pichilingue Tropical Agriculture Research Station National Agriculture Research Institute Quevedo (Assignment site) Santa Catalina Agriculture Research Station Quito

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ecuador Ecuador 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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