Returned Peace Corps Volunteer William S. Seeley can be contacted at seeleylegalahotmaildcom
Country of Service: India
Training Group: 38
Cities you served in: Mustoor Village, Manvi, Raichur District, Kannatakka
Arrival Year: 1966
Departure Year: 1969
Work Description: Agricultural extension; emphasis on irrigation cropping methods
for hybrid sorgum, corn, wheat and rice within the Tungabhadra Irrigation Project.
Worked with private farmers in six villages within Manvi Taluk. Also provided public
health training to area farmers regarding water purification, installation of wells,
avoiding water pollution from insecticides and boiling water. Trained farmers in the
use of both chemical and organic fertilizers. .
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
Completed my B.A. degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter,
Minnesota in June, 1970; adopted Krishna Seeley with my wife Jane in July,
1972. I met Krishna in Bangalore in December, 1967 when he was age 10
and he lived with me onsite (with the permission of his mother) and was
extensively tutored in English and other primary grade subjects. After
completing my Peace Corps term I taught English at Lowry Memorial
Elementrary and High School for 6 months before returning to Minnesota.
After completing my undergraduate degree I worked in community and
environmental affairs at Northern States Power Company from 1971 to
1980. I graduated from Hamline University Law School in May, 1980 and
have been practicing law ever since. In 1991 I started my own law firm,
SEELEY LEGAL SERVICES, P.A., specializing in personal injury cases in
which I mainly represent recent immigrants from Laos, Vietnam, Somalia
and Mexico. Over 70% of my clients are recent immigrants. Jane and I
also have a wonderful daughter, Carey Ann, who is now a first grade
teacher, and two beautiful grandchildren, Ravi(age 12) and Arun (age 6
months). Our grandchildren are the children of our son Krishna and his
lovely wife Savetri (born in Ghania, South America).
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
My two years in the Peace Corps was a real turning point in my life. It
offered a wonderful time to learn a new culture and language; to try out
new problem solving techniques; to read and learn; to travel and to meet a
host of wonderful, interesting people from India.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
Other PCVs from India 38 or other volunteers who served in Raichur
District, Kannataka.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
Life is an adventure: wake up every day with a spirit of adventure, but
brace yourself for delays, frustrations and slow progress in achieving your
work goals as a PCV. Be culturally alert to different (and similar) values,
decision making styles, time orientation, and priorities. The world is a very
diverse place, and Americans are in the minority! We should be proud of
our life style, values, political and religious freedom; but don't expect the
rest of the world to think and act like Americans. Be true to your own
values while respecting those of other peoples.
Originally posted: January 30, 2002
