Joan Barker '04, who majored in French and history, spent much of her career abroad as a government consultant for language and cross-cultural training. Her experience includes two years teaching English to members of the Afghan Air Force, where she got to know many Afghan interpreters. After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August, Barker became an advocate for these vulnerable Afghans left behind, writing op-eds calling for government accountability and organizing aid and assistance. She discussed how her time in the Peace Corps and how The Cowl alumni network helped her get published.

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