February 13, 1998

GOING THE

DISTANCE

Volume 85, Issue 9

The Arrow In Depth

Information compiled by Betsy McAllister

Left: Richard Hildner on Mt. Huascaran (22,050 ft.) in Peru. Center: David Colburn with student in Japan. Right:  Lois Sirucek with a student in Cameroon.

Richard Hildner

Country: Spain (1962); Chile (1969-1971)

Language: Spanish

Taught forest fire suppression in Chile and Spain.

“The Forest Service in the 1980s began an international training program. I was in the original group of instructors.”

Linda de Kort

Country: Japan (1966-1968)

Language: English and Japanese

Taught biology in grades 7, 8, 10 and 11.

“Visiting Hiroshima was an incredible experience … to visit the effects of weapons of mass destruction and to contemplate the aftermath.”

Jean Barragan

Country: Australia (1 year); China (one quarter)

Language:  English and Chinese

Taught Chinese history and U.S. history to Chinese students, grades 11-12; Australian History and cultural diversity for grades 8-10

“Students didn’t have their own books (in China) and (there) was less funding for materials.” 

David Colburn

Country: England (1983-1984); Japan 1995-(1996)

Language: Some Japanese

Taught English two days a week to 1-6 grades and four days a week to high school students.

“I went to England for the fun of it. Then we got the idea we could do it again.” 

Terry Meyers

Country: Japan, 1 year

Language:  Japanese

Taught English in a high school for grades 10-12.

“I thoughly enjoyed the people, the food, and their culture, especially, their culture.” 

Genia & Kevin  Allen-Schmid

Country: Tanzania (1985-89); Germany; Malasia; Japan

Language: English and some Swahili

In Tanzania, taught in English in grades 7-12

“I was at an international school,” said Genia Allen-Schmid. “I think there were 36 nationalities. English was the second or third language (for the students). Most kids were superb linguists. It was a superb school.”

Lois Sirucek

Country: Cameroon (1979-1981)

Language:  French

Peace Corps volunteer

Taught English as a second language for grades 6-9 in a public junior high school. 

“My French teacher at Sentinel High School was a Peace Corps volunteer. She was my inspiration, so when I was in college I started considering the Peace Corps.” 

Stephanie Baca

Countries: Puerto Rico, Panama, Italy (1976) and Germany (1978-1981)

Languages: Italian, German and Spanish

Taught adults English as a second language in Panama; in Italy, taught grades 4-8; in Germany, taught adults English As a Second Language.

“I was teaching little kids English (in Panama). It was around Christmas so I decided to teach them Jingle Bells.  I would come across the kids on jungle trails singing Jingle Bells. It just cracked me up.”

Kristyn Morin

Country: Australia (1982)

Taught in Australia, grades 7-8, and 11

“I was nominated on the ambassadorship program. If you have a certain grade point you can receive a nomination to teach overseas.”