My Peace Corps Training Program

At the invitation of the government and people of Costa Rica, I became a member of Costa Rica III, a group of about 35 Americans trained to render service to Costa Ricans in the area of community development. Here is how we were prepared for our voluntary service in Costa Rica:

Academic Preparation
October 1, 1964, to December 19, 1964
University of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Total training time: 667 hours

• Language Studies, 260 hours
• Area Studies, 70 hours
• American Studies and World Affairs, 55 hours
• Special Health Skills , 55 hours
• Community Development Skills, 55 hours
• Home Improvement, 55 hours
• Basics of Agriculture, 22 hours
• Teaching English as a Second Language, 33 hours
• Basics of Pedagogy, 22 hours
• Physical Education, 66 hours
• Peace Corps Orientation, 14 hours
• The Strategy of Communism, 15 hours

Field Orientation for Latin America
January 2, 1965, to January 31, 1965
Camp Radley
Arecibo, Puerto Rico

• Berlitz School of Languages, three classes of Spanish daily
• Physical Fitness Course
• Tropical survival Course
• Cultural Orientation Program, working with small Puerto Rican communities

In-Country Orientation
February 1, 1965 to February 15, 1965
American Embassy
San Jose, Costa Rica

• Conferences given by various Costa Rican government officials
• Conferences and briefings given by member of the American Embassy in Costa Rica
• Tours of government ministries and agencies
• Reception by the President of Costa Rica

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