2011.01.01: January 1, 2011: Dan and Marlene Hovland have recently returned home after spending 14 months in Jordan with the Peace Corps
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2011.01.01: January 1, 2011: Dan and Marlene Hovland have recently returned home after spending 14 months in Jordan with the Peace Corps
Dan and Marlene Hovland have recently returned home after spending 14 months in Jordan with the Peace Corps
With Dan retired, and the newly-graduated Marlene was having trouble finding a job, the idea of the Peace Corps emerged. "We made the decision to live life differently and help others," said Dan. While in Jordan, the Hovlands live in faculty housing on campus, a small place, but enough for them. As the Peace Corps wished, they have immersed themselves in the community, making several friends. Marlene's good friend is Teghreed, who she met when teaching English as a second language and communication skills. Teghreed, 28, is a computer lab supervisor and the Hovlands have spent time at her home with her family. Abdullah, who received his doctorate in psychology in the United Kingdom, tutored the Hovlands in Arabic when they first arrived in Jordan. He and Dan have become good friends. "Its funny when we get together in groups with Jordanians," said Marlene. "The men go in one room and the women in another. There is definite gender separation in the Jordanian culture." When the two attended a wedding, the men went into a tent and talked. The women had all the fun. They exchanged gifts, listened to music and danced. "They really let loose," said Marlene. "I feel sorry for the men, they didn't seem to have any fun." Because of the Muslim religion, the Jordanian women dress conservatively. But, depending on their adherence to tradition, that conservatism has varying degrees. The men dressed similarly to Western style, with jeans and shirts. But the women always were covered. Sometimes they didn't wear head scarves, but always tunics and long dresses or pants. "When we were in their homes we learned the women who would never go out without covering their hair and faces, would sometimes uncover at home," said Marlene.
Dan and Marlene Hovland have recently returned home after spending 14 months in Jordan with the Peace Corps
Peace Corps volunteers from Upsala home for the Holidays
Dan and Marlene Hovland will return to Jordan Jan. 1, 2011
By Tina Snell, Staff Writer
tina.snell@mcrecord.com
Caption: Dan, left, and Marlene Hovland sit on the steps of the ruined Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, an ancient city near Jerash. Recent excavations show that the area was inhabited during the Bronze Age, approximately 3200 B.C. - 1200 B.C.
Dan and Marlene Hovland of Upsala have recently returned home after spending 14 months in Jordan with the Peace Corps program. They've come home for the Holidays, visiting friends and family, and getting to know two new grandchildren who were born in the interim.
"Jordan is an incredible country," said Dan. "The people are so warm and friendly. We have made some very dear friends."
"It was a great experience to live in another culture and learn how others live," said Marlene.
The Hovlands arrived in Jordan Oct. 23, 2009, and trained at Al-Bayt University near Mafraq for two months. While there, they stayed with a Jordanian family.
The training was to immerse the couple in Arabic and the Jordanian culture.
"We got a glimpse of how people live here and how their society functions," said Dan, knowing they would learn so much more later when they were situated in their posts.
Usually, said Marlene, Peace Corps volunteers are placed in schools, youth centers and special education centers. But the Hovlands were given the opportunity to work at the 30-year-old Mu'tah University. The school is in
Dan, left, and Marlene Hovland sit on the steps of the ruined Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, an ancient city near Jerash. Recent excavations show that the area was inhabited during the Bronze Age, approximately 3200 B.C. - 1200 B.C.
southern Jordan in the governorate of Kerak. During the first millennium B.C., it was the home of the Kingdom of Moab.
"I worked in the special education department at the Upsala Schools and at Lincoln Elementary in Little Falls for 34 years, retiring in 2005," said Dan. "It was because of my training that we were placed at the University."
The Hovlands learned the Peace Corps will take into consideration where a volunteer wants to go, but most importantly to the organization is matching skills with the needs of a country. With Dan's background in special education, and the need for teachers in Jordan, the match was perfect.
Dan works with student teachers who have the goal of a teaching degree in special education. He gives practical lessons in special education by selecting curriculum-related readings for his students. His counterpart then translates those readings into Arabic. He also tutors English to both professors and students and supervises student teachers when they are in the classroom.
Marlene, who received her bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis in community health in 2008, teaches job-hunting skills to students, helps with resumes, teaches how to be interviewed and imparts the expectations of employers. She also teaches conversational English and may add health education to her curriculum when she returns next month.
With Dan retired, and the newly-graduated Marlene was having trouble finding a job, the idea of the Peace Corps emerged.
"We made the decision to live life differently and help others," said Dan.
While in Jordan, the Hovlands live in faculty housing on campus, a small place, but enough for them. As the Peace Corps wished, they have immersed themselves in the community, making several friends.
Marlene's good friend is Teghreed, who she met when teaching English as a second language and communication skills. Teghreed, 28, is a computer lab supervisor and the Hovlands have spent time at her home with her family.
Abdullah, who received his doctorate in psychology in the United Kingdom, tutored the Hovlands in Arabic when they first arrived in Jordan. He and Dan have become good friends.
"Its funny when we get together in groups with Jordanians," said Marlene. "The men go in one room and the women in another. There is definite gender separation in the Jordanian culture."
When the two attended a wedding, the men went into a tent and talked. The women had all the fun. They exchanged gifts, listened to music and danced.
"They really let loose," said Marlene. "I feel sorry for the men, they didn't seem to have any fun."
Because of the Muslim religion, the Jordanian women dress conservatively. But, depending on their adherence to tradition, that conservatism has varying degrees.
The men dressed similarly to Western style, with jeans and shirts. But the women always were covered. Sometimes they didn't wear head scarves, but always tunics and long dresses or pants.
"When we were in their homes we learned the women who would never go out without covering their hair and faces, would sometimes uncover at home," said Marlene.
Dan and Marlene have had the opportunity to do some traveling in Jordan when they aren't teaching. They were able to see Petra, a 2,000-year-old city carved into rock that is now considered one of the Wonders of the World. They visited Jerash, and ancient Roman city, now in ruins, the baptism site of Jesus in the Jordan River and Mount Nebo where Moses first saw the Promised Land. They also spent time at, and in, the Dead Sea which is over 1,300 feet below sea level.
"We were also able to get to Istanbul, Turkey, for five days," said Marlene. "There is so much history and architecture to see in Jordan."
Weather in Jordan is more temperate than in Minnesota. The winter rains, which usually arrive from October to December, bring the desert to bloom. Temperatures usually range from 40-60 degrees, with an occasional snow. The summer sees temperatures from 70-100 degrees.
The Hovlands love the food which consists of a staple of bread and rice. Meat is usually chicken or goat, with some fish, but no pork. There are lots of fruits and vegetables, grown mainly along the Jordan River. Date and olive trees are plentiful everywhere.
The breads consist of pitas and flat breads. The latter, large and round, is eaten by tearing off a piece and dipping it into oil, hummus or a sweet sesame paste called hilawa.
"The food is served much like family style in America," said Marlene. "It's placed in the middle of the table and everyone takes what they want."
A traditional dish the Upsala couple mastered was mensaf. It has a base of rice and bread, with meat, sauteed nuts and a sauce made of yogurt spread on top. Those at the table grab what they want and roll it into a ball with their right hand only (the left hand is reserved for cleaning one's body). It's then popped into their mouth.
"It takes time to master the right combination of ingredients so the ball of food doesn't spill on you," said Marlene. "The Jordanians are impressed when an outsider masters the technique."
The Hovlands recommend joining the Peace Corps for anyone who has the desire to help others.
"It's a big commitment, though," said Dan. "A person needs to be flexible and be willing to spend over two years away from home."
The Peace Corps is connected with over 70 countries and is always looking for volunteers. The organization will pay for travel to and from the country, plus for living expenses. It's an ambassadorial job, teaching natives of another country what people in the United States are like, plus a way for American citizens to bring back cultural information about the peoples of other countries.
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Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Jordan; Directory of Jordan RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Jordan RPCVs; Marriage; Older Volunteers
When this story was posted in May 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
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