Interview with David Underwood, May 11, 2022

Interview Summary

David Underwood served as a volunteer in Uzbekistan from 1992-1994. David served in the business development sector. He was with the first group of volunteers in Uzbekistan and described the experience as uncharted territory. His first site was in the town of Andijan. The volunteers were given the opportunity to pick another site during their first year and he moved to Samarkand. He served when Uzbekistan was newly independent from the Soviet Union. The creation of a new currency, passports, official language, and religious freedoms were introduced during his service. David lived with a family in a multigenerational household. He worked in the Samarkand Businessmen’s Association, Samarkand Technical Institute and with the local government officials. He helped local businesses, taught English and assisted with the first small scale privatization auctions.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Uzbekistan 1992-1994 Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Business Development Peace Corps (U.S.)—1990-2000 Russian (Language) Andijan Samarkand Privatization

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