Dr. Haladayna talks about Peace Corps Service in Cusco, Peru from 1967-69
Dr. Haladayna talks about Peace Corps Service in Cusco, Peru from 1967-69
March 18, 1999
Haladyna Speaks at Peace Corps Day
Students at Big Rapids High School heard a firsthand account of life in another country, thanks to a visit by returned Peace Corps volunteer Ronald Haladyna, professor of Languages and Literature at Ferris State University. As part of Peace Corps Day ’99 on March 2, Dr. Haladyna spoke to the students of Kathy Hazlett’s BRHS class about his experiences while serving in Cusco, Peru from 1967-69. Haladyna returned last fall from revisiting the area he had served as a volunteer.
“I was able to refresh my memory of life in South America,” said Haladyna, “to bring the experience into the classroom and share it with the students using slides.”
On March 2, thousands of returned Peace Corps volunteers shared their experiences with students in all 50 states to encourage the study of geography, promote cultural awareness and illustrate the value of service. Volunteers return to the United States with a greater understanding of the world and its peoples.
According to Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan, gaining an appreciation for other countries and cultures is important for everyone in the U.S., especially young people.
“This day supports one of the Peace Corps’ key goals, which is not only to help developing nations around the world, but also to educate people in the United States about those countries and cultures,” stated Gearan.
Peace Corp Day coincides with the Peace Corps’ founding by President John F. Kennedy in March 1961.
