Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-089
Doug Strange served as a Peace Corps volunteer in British Honduras from 1972 to 1974 as an architect. He continued his service in Guatemala from 1974 to 1975. Strange joined the Peace Corps after receiving a bachelor's degree in architecture. In British Honduras, he was stationed in the capital city of Belmopan and worked as an architect with the Public Works Department. He enjoyed traveling around the country to see where the buildings he was designing would be located. Strange served alongside his wife Claire, who taught Spanish at the local school. Their daughter was born during their first year of service. At the completion of two years, the couple requested an extension of service and they were assigned to Guatemala. Doug received 10 weeks of Spanish language training while Claire trained in plant identification (to plan a university botanical garden). In Guatemala they were stationed in Coban, where Doug worked in regional city planning. It was challenging because he had learned Spanish but the locals spoke Quiche, a Mayan language. In Guatemala, they connected more with other Peace Corps volunteers and enjoyed traveling around the country. Strange credits Peace Corps with giving him an understanding of cultural differences, which aided his international career as an architect, as well as an appreciation for giving back. Interviewed and recorded by Louise Liller, June 21, 2019. 1 digital audio file.