Returned Peace Corps Volunteer michele Anne Linne can be contacted at linnenmicheleaaoldcom
Country of Service: Honduras
Training Group: community development
Cities you served in: La Ceiba
Arrival Year: 1983
Departure Year: 1985
Work Description: I worked with a women's sewing coop
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
Since returning from Honduras in 1985, I did a few stints with Fed agencies in Washington (my home town), lived a nomadic life in San Francisco, Guadalajara, Mexico and London before returning to WDC and working in staff training at PC headquarters in 1992. I left headquarters for graduate studies, receiving a Masters in Social Work (MSW), from Catholic University of America, WDC. I worked three years in the DC child neglect and abuse court system before moving to Germany where I educate overseas Americans about family violence prevention. This is how I pay my rent! Off hours I am working on a "photography calling," having had three solo exhibitions: two in Germany, one in Finland and individual works have been displayed in Luxembourg City, Lux. In fact, some of my photographs of children in Managua, Nicaragua have been exhibited and two were sold. I am making final touches to my photography website and welcome to have RPCV's on my slowmail and email mailing list to send them announcements of my latest creative venture. I have one commercial assignment for now but put most of my focus on: praying for peace on earth and finding employment and artistic outlets in Paris - to do my own version of George Orwell's, "Down and Out in London and Paris (or is it Paris and London?)." My mailing address is: Im Leuchensang 64, 54634 Bitburg, ph. # 011 (from USA) 49.6561.670258. I am 15 minutes from the Luxembourg border...come and visit! It is beautiful and civilized here! As Thomas Wolfe said, You Can't Go Back Home Again." How true. How true. Europe is my playground, my spiritual and creative universe. Moving to Europe has become the second best gift to myself. I suspect it will be, like with Peace Corps, the gift that keeps giving. Warm regards to the PC family - in all its quirks, differences and beauty.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
One of the best gifts that I gave myself. It was a long term dream, since childhood, to be a volunteer. It was one of the most significant journeys into myself and the world around me. Peace Corps is perhaps the best, albeit imperfect, foreign policy program between Americans and our fellow citizens of the world.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
Sure. Would welcome hearing from the April, 1983 Honduras training group. I only have contact with one from my group, and just recently heard from another, via her coming across my website.
Originally posted: February 27, 2003
