Interview with Carol Beecher, June 5, 2021

Interview Summary

Carol Beecher served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan from 1967 to 1969. Beecher joined the Peace Corps after working for several years after college graduation. During training at the Experiment for International Living, she was given $5 and left in a town without identification for two weeks and told to find housing and make a contribution to the community. She was one of twenty women who served in a small program to give smallpox vaccinations throughout Afghanistan. She was one of the rare volunteers who could travel freely throughout the country. Beecher often traveled with only the clothes on her back and a toothbrush in her shirt pocket because she needed to transport medical supplies. The smallpox vaccine program was organized by W.H.O. and the vaccine was provided by the Russians and administered by the Americans. Beecher’s training group continues to stay in contact.

Interview Keyword

Afghanistan (Country of service) 1967-1969 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Health Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Farsi (Language) Bulghi nomads Herda Kunduz, Afghanistan Kandahar, Afghanistan

Interview LC Subject

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