Returned Peace Corps Volunteer John W. Bagnole can be contacted at bagnoleaohiodedu
Country of Service: Ivory Coast
Training Group: TEFL
Cities you served in: Bongouanou
Arrival Year: 1969
Departure Year: 1971
Work Description:
Taught English at the College d'Enseignement General de Bongouanou
Other Countries you served in, Training Group Name Arrival Year, Departure Year, Work Description:
Trained in the Libya III TEFL program in Salt Lake City , Utah, which was cancelled in Sept. 1969 following a coup d'etat; then entered a Somalia TEFL program which was also cancelled before leaving for i-country training (Nov. 1969?)
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
I have been teaching English in one capacity or another ever since. Peace Corps was an extrememly formative experience in my professional career. I taught English in Libya (on contract), Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt (Binational Fulbright Commission) before arriving at my current position teaching
English at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio (1987). I have been involved not only in teaching English but trainiing EFL teachers, training TEFL trainers, curriculum development, and information literacy.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
Too many to recount. It was a big part of my life. I am very happy to say my elder daughter, Veronica, is now serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Dominica. My wife and I recently visited her (Dec. 06) and it brought back incredible memories of my own experience.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
From Ivory Coast: RPCVs Leo Cotter, Tom and Jane Massey. (I didn't know too many other volunteers because I joined late having been cancelled from the defunct Libya III program.
Originally posted: February 21, 2007
