At the heart of things: Peace Corps volunteers in Sub-Saharan Africa

摘要

This study traces the expectations and experiences of Peace Corps volunteers in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past fifty years. The Peace Corp's leaders and volunteers at first expected to share the bounty and knowledge of the United States with less fortunate nations. Since the 1970s, volunteers more commonly came to Africa looking for experiences and insights that they had not found at home. Joining the Peace Corps represented not an affirmation of their country; rather, it reflected educated people's growing disenchantment with American life.Both sets of volunteers found Africa frustrating. Its poverty resisted quick solutions. Its cultures often seemed alien or even cruel. It confronted them with their own limitations, prejudices, and privileges. It refused to meet their romantic expectations.Yet most of the volunteers cherished their years in Africa. Later volunteers found the deeper connection with people and life itself that they had come looking for. Even those whose confidence and worldviews were shattered believed that Sub-Saharan Africa had bequeathed to them hard-won insights into ‘the heart of things’.View full textDownload full textKeywordsPeace Corps, Peace Corps in Africa, volunteers in Africa, views of Africa, romanticism and AfricaRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14725843.2011.614408