Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Shira Rutman can be contacted at shirarutmanayahoodcom
Country of Service: Uzbekistan
Training Group: 7
Cities you served in: Tashkenti-Guzar Kishloq, Kokand Shahar, Farghona Viloyati
Arrival Year: 1999
Departure Year: 2001
Work Description:
maternal and child health and PC health program development (or something like that)
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
Moved to San Fran, worked for Univ of Calif-SF in reproductive health research, Met my fiance, We moved to Seattle for me to study for a Masters in Public Health, Graduated and now...back in San Fran, recently married and still working in public health research with urban American Indians/Alaska Natives. Healthy and well.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
I know I would not be doing the work I do now, which fulfills me so much had I not served in that health position. I still struggle with how and whether to stay connected with people in Uzbekistan. It was a very difficult time, and there are some things that I know now, that I wish I knew then. Still would not take it back.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
Returning and re-adjusting was more difficult than arriving in country. Took much longer than I thought it might to feel comfortable and healthy again. Many things will never be the same for better and worse.
Originally posted: December 8, 2006
