Interview with James Archambeault, February 9, 1996

Partial Transcript: --Coke, caff-decaffeinated and diet coke--

Segment Synopsis: James Archambeault is introduced. He opens with one of the scariest experiences he had in the Philippines while he was in the Peace Corps, where he met a man at a bar and was forced to have several drinks with him. This culminated in the man coming up behind him with a beer bottle, before the bodyguard took him off. He clarifies that this was not the norm, and that most Filipinos were fun loving and kind people, even in poverty.

Keywords: Alcohol; Anger; Bars; Beer; Gun holsters; Guns; Philippines; Poverty; Respect; Self-defense

Subjects: Communication and culture; Conflict management; Culture; Interpersonal communication and culture; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines; Violence; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: What, uh--can you think of, uh, one experience, aside from what, what you've already told me about, that was, uh, scary, frightening, powerful, or powerful in a positive way or a negative way?

Segment Synopsis: Archambeault remembers some of the scarier experiences he had with the travel systems of the Philippines. He discusses the need to fly nearly everywhere due to the travel infrastructure in place in the country, including detailing some of the train systems. He also talks about experiences with boating and some of the scary experiences he had traveling from island to island.

Keywords: Airplanes; Borneo; Douglas DC-3 plane; Fear; Flights; Infrastructure; Manila; Metropolitan cities; Philippines; Rain; Road systems; Trains; Travel systems; Vacationing; Weather

Subjects: Air travel; Culture; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines; Travel; Volunteer workers in community development

Partial Transcript: Were you ever sick?

Segment Synopsis: Archambeault describes some of the health issues he and other volunteers dealt with, including dysentery and malaria. He explains that they had to boil most of the water that they had, and those who didn't usually got sick. He also discusses his experiences with vaccination and some of the issues that he faced while trying to get vaccinated.

Keywords: Aralen; Boiled water; Crocks; Dysentery; Illnesses; Malaria; Medical issues with vaccines; Medication; Pills; Sickness; Unsafe water; Vaccines; Volunteers

Subjects: Health; Hygiene; Medical technology; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines; Volunteer workers in medical care

Partial Transcript: How did you uh, happen to join the Peace Corps?

Segment Synopsis: Archambeault discusses the things that led up to his decision to join the Peace Corps. He talks about his parents' complete disapproval of it, and his fears of leaving home, describing some of his early life in the process. He also talks about his motivations for joining.

Keywords: Christianity; College; Creation of Peace Corps; Hawaii; Idealism; John F. Kennedy; Missionary; Peace Corps training; Pittsburgh; Priesthood; Priests; University of Hawaii

Subjects: Careers; College students--Employment; Culture; Intercultural communication; Peace Corps (U.S.); Professions; Universities and colleges; Volunteer workers in community development

Partial Transcript: Uh, this isn't really that germane--[unintelligible]--but how did you get to Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Archambeault discusses how he got to Kentucky. He examines his life after the Peace Corps and talks about taking a job working for a news agency, and also talks about the possibility of him moving to the Philippines at the time.

Keywords: Authors; Columbus; Community development; Journalism; Kentucky; Kentucky Derby; Louisville; Philippines; Representative of the Peace Corps; Southern states; United Press International; Writing

Subjects: Careers; Emigration and immigration; Emotions; Marriage; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines; Professions; Travel; Volunteer workers in community development; Washington (D.C.)

Partial Transcript: So you--[unintelligible]--a career in journalism?

Segment Synopsis: Archambeault discusses his career with United Press International, and his move to Lexington, Kentucky due to it. He also discusses leaving that job to work for Bob Stevens as an administrative assistant due to an article he wrote about him. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Bob Stevens; Lexington (Ky.); Louisville (Ky.); News photography; News work; United Press International

Subjects: Careers; Lexington (Ky.); Politics; Professions; Volunteers