Connecticut Reflections on the Peace Corps
“I always tell folks that my time in the Peace Corps, where I matured greatly, changed my entire perspective on life. I learned the values of community, leadership, and teamwork and the skills of how to put those values into action. These skills have helped me achieve many of the successes in my life after the Peace Corps.” Ronald Robbins CHMM, CEA Fiji 1964-1966 Rocky Hill, CT 06067
“Returning to Ghana several times during the past ten years has been very rewarding. Meeting former students who are successful teachers, government workers, entrepreneurs, medical personnel, business people, and village chiefs has demonstrated the value of education.” Elaine A. Folkers Ghana 1963 – 1965 Enfield, CT 06082
“Clearly, it added an international perspective to my life, giving me the tools to effortlessly relate to people from different cultures and lands. It also inspired me to continue my education and embark on a people-friendly career, becoming a more compassionate and understanding person. The Peace Corps taught me lessons in humility and strength of character that carried me through some seriously tough times long after I had returned home.” Kevin A. Angle Afghanistan 1973 – 1974 West Hartford, CT 06117
“At a time when America appears paranoid of anything that is different from itself, the Peace Corps Community brings firsthand experience to America as to how learning about and understanding differences can be enriching for all parties. The more Americans who can be given the opportunity to experience other cultures, the greater the potential America will have not to withdraw into an isolated fortress of ignorance.” Edwin Falkman Liberia 1968-1970 Stonington, CT 06378
Connecticut Reflections on the Peace Corps “I found a career that has lasted 35 years…Every job I had from then on has been because of my Peace Corps service.” May M. Coryell Congo 1974, Palau 1975-1977 and 1977-1978 Cheshire, CT 06410
“My (Peace Corps) experience gave me a career leg-up. Upon return to my hometown in Connecticut, I was offered the chance to develop a Youth Intervention Program and to assume duties as a municipal social services director (developing policy and programs for youth, seniors, as well as implementing a new Welfare- Workfare Model). That led me to becoming the state’s director of volunteer services and a unique position at the Department of Correction. Today, as I face retirement, I’m proud to have been part of a movement mobilizing volunteers to fill in gaps in both community and institutional services.” Doug Kulmacz Federated States of Micronesia 1977 – 1979 East Hampton, CT 06424
“By living in Liberia, I have been able to ’see with more than my eyes.’ I would’ve never had the exposure to living such a vibrant, colorful life experience if I hadn’t joined the Peace Corps when I was very young and idealistic. It lead to a wonderful career in education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and community parent liaison to support students for racial balance in our school system.” Colleen Bartlett Belbusti Liberia 1967-1969 West Haven, CT 06516 “I learned far more than I taught; I gained far more than I gave. The experience of living and working in another culture enabled me to develop a perspective that I could never have, had I lived my whole life in the US, or traveled to other countries as a tourist. I learned that there are other ways of thinking, completely different, but just as valid, as my own” Ellen Greist India 1968 – 1971 Hamden, CT 06517
Connecticut Reflections on the Peace Corps
“The Peace Corps confirmed what my parents had instilled, which was that doing good was much more important than doing well (i.e., financially). After law school, I spent my whole life working in Harlem in New York, first for the city, then for the state, and then for a non-profit, developing low and moderate income housing, and later supported housing for people with special needs.” Michael Rodell Philippines 1962-1964 New Canaan, CT 06840
“Members of the Peace Corps community share a commitment to understanding other individuals and other cultures.” Catherine D. Onyemelukwe Nigeria 1962 – 1964 Westport, CT 06880
“I would otherwise still be in San Francisco as a lawyer. I took a six-month leave of absence from being deputy attorney general of California to be among the first staff at the Peace Corps. I’m still on that six-month leave of absence, now more than 50 years later.” Daniel “Dan” A. Sharp Peru 1962 - 1964; Bolivia 1964; HQ Staff 1961 - 1968 Stamford, CT 06903
