Through the Decades: 1960s Peace Corps - Photographs

What do the training locations in Puerto Rico and Hawaii reveal about U.S. strategy for Peace Corps preparation?

They reflect the use of U.S. territories and states as acclimatization zones for PCVs—ideal for simulating environmental conditions and showcasing U.S. global reach.

What kind of training did PCVs receive in Hawaii and Puerto Rico?

In Camp Hammarsjold in Puerto Rico, volunteers were taught agricultural training focused on basic, adaptable farming techniques to prepare volunteers for rural development work abroad.

What is significant about PCV Lynette Parkhurst teaching English to natives at the National Agricultural Learning Centre?

It illustrates linguistic imperialism—English becomes a gatekeeper for technical knowledge, aligning with Daniel Immerwahr’s argument on standardization and language dominance.

How was American culture exported through the Peace Corps in Colombia?

Via basketball programs like ‘Colombia IV,’ which trained players and hosted regional games—spreading U.S. sports culture as a soft power tool.