Interview with Yolette Rios, June 16, 2021

Interview Summary

Yolette Rios served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica from April 1978 to May 1980 and served with her husband, Jose Madera. The first year she lived in Cartago and worked with the Ministry of Education on special education projects, including advising on the outfitting of a gym space. The second year of service, she and her husband moved to Bolson, a small farming community, and conducted community organizing projects. Herself a runner, she initiated a volleyball program for the girls and young women. In addition, she and her husband helped the community raise money to have the local school painted. She felt that she was an ambassador from the U.S. providing the Costa Ricans with a better impression of U.S. citizens and with the knowledge that we have a very diverse population who care for individuals who need assistance in foreign lands. Her Peace Corps experience has had a lasting impact on her career, becoming a bi-lingual educator upon her return, teaching classes to professionals on how to communicate with their clients using basic Spanish phrases, and integrating Costa Rican culture and folkloric dance into her teaching. She and her husband have maintained close ties with the people they met in their service in Costa Rica, including hosting students in their home.

Interview Keyword

Costa Rica (Country of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Community organizing 1978-1980 (Date of service) Ministry of Education Cartago (Costa Rica) Bolson (Costa Rica) Teachers Teaching Spanish (Language) Married volunteers

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica Costa Rica 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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