Interview with Yolette Rios, June 16, 2021

Partial Transcript: Good afternoon. Today is June 16, 2021. My name is Madeline Kellner and I'm here in Novato, California. I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Peru Response 2020 and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Guatemala 2016 to 2018. And I am here today interviewing Yolette Rios who served in Costa Rica from April 1978 to May 1980. And she served her first year in special education in the town of Cartago, Costa Rica and her second year as a community organizer in the town of Bolson, Costa Rica.

Segment Synopsis: As newlyweds, Rios and her husband applied to the Peace Corps together. They were altruistic and wanted to travel before settling down. A college friend had recommended Costa Rica as a country of service. So, they applied to go to Costa Rica and were accepted.

Keywords: Advice; Altruism; Applying; Bolson (Costa Rica); Cartago (Costa Rica); Friends; Marriage

Subjects: Costa Rica; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Travel; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Yep. We went to Miami for training for a few days. And then, from Miami straight to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Segment Synopsis: After a staging in Miami, Rios' cohort flew to San Jose, Costa Rica. During pre-service training, the trainees lived with host families. As part of her training, Rios traveled independently by bus to Panama. Rios had earned a degree emphasizing special education and therefore did not receive additional technical instruction during pre-service training.

Keywords: Anxious; Blending in; College majors; Cultural training; Expectations; Fluency; Host families; Inoculations; Language skills; Language training; Miami (Fla.); Non-stereotypical Americans; Orientation; San Jose (Costa Rica); Self-confidence; Social interactions; Spanish (Language); Staging; Training centers; Traveling; Vaccinations

Subjects: Costa Rica; Emotions; International travel; Panama; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Travel; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Apparently, the Ministerio de Educacion wanted to, wanted to update their, their, uh, best practices. And they wanted to make sure they were serving the, the community of the special needs students as best they could.

Segment Synopsis: Rios acted as a consultant with the Ministry of Education and worked with teachers and administrators at special education schools. This included designing a gymnasium for special needs students and developing a swimming program.

Keywords: Activities; Changes; Expectations; Improvements; School systems

Subjects: Costa Rica; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Teachers; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: However, the, the second year, um, my husband and I both decided, "You know what? We, we should probably have a different assignment."

Segment Synopsis: During their first year, things went well in the city for Rios and her husband. So, they requested a new, rural assignment for their second year. Rios briefly describes her husband's assignment in the city which involved working with delinquent youth.

Keywords: Decisions; Rural areas; Young people

Subjects: Costa Rica; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So is that a big city? Tell me a little bit about how you nestled into your, your town.

Segment Synopsis: Rios gives some background of Cartago and describes their housing there. The main challenges were the unreliable electricity on which the water supply depended.

Keywords: Acclimation; Amenities; Cartago (Costa Rica); Challenges; Daily routines; Distance; Food; History; Housing; Living arrangements; Living conditions; Running water; San Jose (Costa Rica); Transportation

Subjects: Acculturation; Costa Rica; Lifestyles; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So when you were there did you have any, um--so it sounds like the woman at the Ministerio was um was friendly with you.

Segment Synopsis: Rios and her husband attended many social events and made numerous friends during their first year.

Keywords: Acclimation; Cultural differences; Daily routines; Dancing; Friends; Invitations; Parties; Plans; Schedules; Social life; Special occasions; Traveling

Subjects: Acculturation; Costa Rica; Interpersonal relations; Lifestyles; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Teachers; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, what about the, the second service in the rural area? Tell me a little bit about that.

Segment Synopsis: Rios and her husband left their comfortable life in Cartago and were posted to Bolson, a town of 300 people. Rios and her husband were the only foreigners there. Rios gives a description of the town. To some of the local females, Rios was able to introduce running and volleyball as new leisure activities. Rios and her husband taught English and helped raise money to get the school painted. Rios created her own lessons. When she returned to the U.S., Rios taught a basic Spanish course for teachers. Rios and her husband met an older couple who helped them integrate into the community and gave them suggestions for community development projects.

Keywords: Advice; Amenities; Belongings; Bolson (Costa Rica); California; Cartago (Costa Rica); Changes; Conversations; Foreigners; Friends; Funding; Gender roles; Housing; Leaving; Local people; Locals; Male-dominated society; Mosquito nets; Ortega (Costa Rica); Population; Recreation; Rural areas; Teaching English as a foreign language; Traveling; Women

Subjects: Costa Rica; International travel; Interpersonal relations; Older people; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Teachers; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Oh, and dances. Oh my gosh. They'd put dances on and Bingo. We did a lot of Bingo.

Segment Synopsis: Rios describes some of the local social activities. People played Bingo to raise money for the school, church, and community center.

Keywords: Culture; Dances; Dancing; Funding; Lifestyles; Manners and customs; Recreation; Social life

Subjects: Costa Rica; Finance; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: uh, oh, this was really interesting, my goodness. I don't know how often but at least once or twice a year, we'd have these horrible floods.

Segment Synopsis: Once or twice a year, flooding would make driving to the town impossible. So, food was brought in by helicopter. Rios and her husband helped to distribute the food.

Keywords: Dangerous; Dangers; Flooding; Floods; Food; Food habits; Food security; Isolation; Problems; Transportation; Traveling

Subjects: Costa Rica; Natural disasters; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: One thing I forgot to mention, um, I went with a nurse. There was a mobile, a mobile nurse.

Segment Synopsis: Occasionally, Rios made local trips with a nurse by motorcycle to help with vaccinations and physical evaluations. Rios could take a bus, which ran on an irregular schedule, to go shopping in Filadelfia. Such a trip would take all day. Occasionally, Rios or her husband had business in Cartago or San Jose. Sometimes, they were invited for a spontaneous trip to the beach.

Keywords: Bolson (Costa Rica); Buses; Cartago (Costa Rica); Filadelfia (Costa Rica); San Jose (Costa Rica); Schedules; Transportation; Vaccinations

Subjects: Costa Rica; Health; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, what about other--were there other Volunteers in Cartago that you interacted with?

Segment Synopsis: Rios and her husband stayed in touch with the other Volunteers assigned to the same Ministry. The Volunteers attended holiday gatherings at the American embassy. Periodically, Rios needed to return to the city for immunizations. Overall, Rios stayed healthy.

Keywords: Contact; Holidays; Illness; Inoculations; Sickness; Traveling; Vaccinations

Subjects: Costa Rica; Emotions; Guatemala; Health; Interpersonal relations; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: I was going to ask you if you did any travels from, from Costa Rica.

Segment Synopsis: During their service, Rios and her husband traveled with a friend to Guatemala and Nicaragua. After their service, Rios and her husband visited Peru and Ecuador.

Keywords: Friends; International travel; Traveling; Vacations

Subjects: Costa Rica; Ecuador; Finance; Guatemala; Nicaragua; Panama; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Peru; South America; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, given that you saw other parts of Central America, do you have any reflections on how Costa Rica was similar or different or?

Segment Synopsis: Rios comments that at the time, the government in Costa Rico was stable and democratic. People followed rule of law. Costa Ricans felt safe and the economy was not bad. In comparison, Nicaragua was experiencing political turmoil. Rios recalls the poverty and filth in Guatemala. In Nicaragua and Guatemala, Rios saw more indigenous people who were living in abject poverty. Rios says that Costa Rica was not as socially stratified as these other 4 countries she visited. Rios enjoyed the food and found the people welcoming everywhere as she and her husband could blend in with the locals, ethnically and linguistically.

Keywords: Accents; Advantages; Blending in; California; Conversations; Differences; Fluency; Medicine; Non-stereotypical Americans; Politics and government; Poverty; Safety; Spanish (Language); Wars

Subjects: Costa Rica; Ecuador; Guatemala; Latin America; Minorities; Nicaragua; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Peru; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, what did--what were the--what was the difference between the food?

Segment Synopsis: In Bolson, Rios found beef and pork readily available. Rios also made her own yogurt as that was not otherwise available locally. It was the same with refried beans and flour tortillas. So, when Rios' parents came for a visit, they brought a supply of canned refried beans and flour tortillas. Rios fondly remembers the cheese, fresh fruit, vegetables, and seafood which she had in-country.

Keywords: Bolson (Costa Rica); Food culture; Food habits; Food security; Lifestyles; Supplies; Support; Traveling

Subjects: Costa Rica; International travel; Parents; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, what--when you came back, what, um--how did this inform--this experience inform what you did with your, with your life?

Segment Synopsis: Before serving in the Peace Corps, Rios took many aspects of living in California for granted. Now, Rios is more appreciative of the usual comforts available in the U.S.

Keywords: Amenities; California; Cartago (Costa Rica); Cultural differences; Mosquito nets; Perspectives; Running water; Scared; Transportation

Subjects: Costa Rica; Culture shock; Emotions; Hygiene; Lifestyles; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: And was, was there an opportunity for you, when you got back, to, to give a t--to give talks or to share your experiences or?

Segment Synopsis: When Rios returned to the U.S., she went into teaching and shared her knowledge of conditions in developing countries. Rios had her elementary school students raise money for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). Rios also taught Spanish classes for university extension programs. Rios also served as a translator between other teachers and parents. Rios had been exposed to a lot of Spanish while growing up but serving in the Peace Corps improved her conversational fluency in Spanish. Rios has also traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit her husband's relatives. Rios became a credentialed Spanish bilingual teacher and further studied Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico and in Spain.

Keywords: California State University, San Bernardino; Confidence; Cuernavaca (Mexico); Cultural differences; Family; Fluency; Graduate schools; Improvements; Inoculations; Jobs; Language skills; Non-stereotypical Americans; Portuguese (Language); Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Social interactions; Spanish (Language); Study abroad; Translation; Traveling; University of California, San Diego; Vaccinations; Victorville (Calif.)

Subjects: Blending in; Brazil; Childhood; Co-teachers; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Emotions; Finance; Guatemala; International travel; Language and culture; Language and languages; Nicaragua; Non-governmental organizations; Nonprofit organizations; Panama; Parents; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Portugal; Spain; Student activities; Teachers; Teaching; United Nations; Universities and colleges; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So is there--do you have any thoughts about what--are you thinking of doing anything more in terms of international work or, kind of, what are you thinking professionally with, with your experience?

Segment Synopsis: In 2016, Rios retired after a varied, 36-year career in teaching. Rios did some additional traveling with her husband. Rios is presently focused on her family and community involvements.

Keywords: Careers.; Community involvement; Family; Occupations.; Professions.; Vocation.; Work.

Subjects: Families.; Health; Political campaigns; Retirement; Teachers; Teaching; Travel; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Something we didn't talk about were, were cultural events.

Segment Synopsis: Rios has had a long-term interest in ballet folklorico. While overseas, Rios attended many dance events. Accordingly, back in the U.S., Rios was able to give her students insights into the songs and dances they were doing.

Keywords: Cultural training; Dancing; Gender roles; Recreation; Resources; Second Goal; Teachers; Teaching; Third Goal

Subjects: Costa Rica; Nicaragua; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Costa Rica; Voluntarism; Volunteers