Kim Clauson_CP 3

I was happy to meet with my newest conversation partner, Abdulmohsen AlShatry, on Friday, November 2, 2012 at The International Center’s Tea Time.  We arrived early, so we spoke outside about our background, interests, and goals.  Abdul is Arabic and he is from Saudi Arabia.  He told me that he was nervous to speak to some Americans because he was unsure of how they would react.  Laughter discouraged him.  I could relate with my experiences in Costa Rica, though I unfortunately felt like his background could negatively affect how people interacted with him.  This thought made me angry and I felt like it wasn’t fair.  I tried to avoid the subject because it made me feel awkward.  I am sometimes embarrassed by how some people in the United States act, especially in the South.  

Abdul was very eager to meet as much as possible and he said that his schedule was always available to practice English.  He was particular about his English goals, and he was very serious about passing the TOEFL.  I admired his seriousness and his determination.

After Abdul left Tea Time, I began to speak to random International students at the event.  I met a really interesting Master’s Degree Asian Studies Scholar Student named Sarah.  Sarah and her friend Chen were from China.  We exchanged stories and numbers, and then I ran into another friend named Clara.  It was so nice to see familiar international faces in such an intimate and non-formal setting.  I would highly recommend Tea Time to anyone who has not yet experienced it.  It is a remarkable gathering of diverse people in a very peaceful setting!