Peace Corps Exhibit Launch and Farewell for Fulbright ETAs

The Ambassador, Tun Faisal, and the ETAs in front of the Peace Corps Photo Exhibit. (U.S. Embassy photo)

ETAs pinning up photos of their Malaysia experience. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On Tuesday, October 23, Ambassador Paul W. Jones co-officiated at the Launch of the Peace Corps Exhibit and the Farewell for Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) with the Deputy Director of the State Economic Planning Unit, Tuan Hj Tun Ahmad Faisal Tun Abd Razak. The event took place at the Terengganu State Public Library. The Ambassador’s speech linked together the volunteerism of the past Peace Corps Volunteers and the current ETAs, and highlighted the 50 years of people-to-people connections between the United States and Malaysia. Tun Faisal spoke fondly of the Iowa-Terengganu Sister States program, which continued the linkage between the United States and Terengganu. The 15 Terengganu ETAs drew laughter and applause from the audience as they shared stories of discovery and understanding in their Malaysian communities; while older participants fondly recalled their Peace Corps stories at the lunch reception. Although the ETAs are completing their 10-month service this week, many of them plan to return to Malaysia.

Stay tuned, for the ETA expansion from 50 to 75 ETAs next year, and the next Peace Corps Photo Exhibit launch in Johor on November 5.