2008.01.03: January 3, 2008: Headlines: COS - Ukraine: Older Volunteers: Worcester Telegram & Gazette : John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Ukraine: Peace Corps Ukraine : Peace Corps Ukraine: Newest Stories: 2008.01.03: January 3, 2008: Headlines: COS - Ukraine: Older Volunteers: Worcester Telegram & Gazette : John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine

By Admin1 (admin) (141.157.8.55) on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 8:29 am: Edit Post

John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine

John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine

The three months of training proved to be a “culture shock and required a serious adjustment of attitudes,” he said. Mr. LaPlante is one of those people who never retire, working for years as a Telegram & Gazette reporter, supervisor and editor while a resident in Webster and Dudley, and later as owner of a public relations firm and information officer at Assumption College while living in Auburn and Worcester.

John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine

At 78, LaPlante off to Ukraine for Peace Corps

Ed Patenaude So I’ve Heard

Longtime friend John Guy LaPlante’s latest odyssey became official Dec. 19. After three months as a Peace Corps trainee in Ukraine, John Guy, 78 years young, took the oath to become a Peace Corps volunteer.

“Yes, I’ve made it,” he emphasized in an e-mail to this corner. There were 86 volunteers in Group 33, he said, adding, “Only eight seniors and I was the oldest by far.” He went to Ukraine to teach English, and training included heavy doses of Ukrainian and Russian, languages his prospective students might understand.

The three months of training proved to be a “culture shock and required a serious adjustment of attitudes,” he said. Mr. LaPlante is one of those people who never retire, working for years as a Telegram & Gazette reporter, supervisor and editor while a resident in Webster and Dudley, and later as owner of a public relations firm and information officer at Assumption College while living in Auburn and Worcester.


He’s authored columns, travel pieces and a couple of world travel books in recent years. Even some of us who cherish his friendship were surprised by his decision to join the Peace Corps. John Guy LaPlante will teach at a State Language School and at a major library in a city described as two hours from Kiev.

English teacher and Peace Corps Volunteer John Guy LaPlante will greet his first class after Christmas, or Jan. 7 when Santa visits in Ukraine.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: January, 2008; Peace Corps Ukraine; Directory of Ukraine RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Ukraine RPCVs; Older Volunteers





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Story Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ukraine; Older Volunteers

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