1969: Pete Coombs served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand in Koh Samui beginning in 1969



Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Pete Coombs can be contacted at jrdpetercoombsayahoodcom

Country of Service: Thailand

Training Group: 27

Cities you served in: Koh Samui

Arrival Year: 1969

Departure Year: 1973

Work Description:

TEFL

Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:

Went up to Laos where I served as the director of the Lao-American Association's branch in Luang Prabang until March, 1975. Returned to Thailand as a TEFL teacher at Silpakorn Univ. in Nakorn Prathom into late 1977. From 1973 into 1977, was a TEFL instructor and a training project director for several incoming training programs. In 1977, joined Peace Corps Thailand as education program manager, and, in 1978, moved downstairs to become the Training Officer. Married, had two children and returned to the US in late 1983. Went to school at NYU for a couple of semesters, sold vacuum cleaners and insurance to pay the rent, and finally ended up as a sales manager in our family's small manufacturing business. We made fire helmets and other safety equipment for fire and emergency responders. Did this until I retired in 2008.

Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:

From a management trainee at the Prudential, to a TEFL teacher on an isolated island in the Gulf of Siam? In many ways, my service profoundly changed the course of my life. I am proud of my contribution, however small it might be, and would do it all again in a heartbeat...

Any message for returned volunteers?:

Went to the 50th celebrations in DC in Sept. and enjoyed seeing old friends - many for the first time in 30-40 years. It was a delight to meet RPCVs from other countries - from the early days to the present - and to see that, no matter the generation, we all share a common bond. So, stay connected, everyone. We are dang good company!



Originally posted: 10/27/2011

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