Kim Clauson_ CP 6

               I was surprised to encounter an incredible group of English language learners on Friday, November 9, 2012 when I was leaving the library.  It began when I left the library’s English language course that was conducted by Vicki.  I saw one student who I recognized from the International Center’s Tea Time.  I decided to introduce myself.  I am so glad that I had the courage to exit my comfort zone and present myself to this complete stranger.  I was well received by Edgar.  I learned that he was an English language student who was from Venezuela.  I told him that I was interested in learning Spanish because I was planning to go to Costa Rica and Chile in the near future.  He told me that he was studying furiously for the TOEFL course, but his interests were to attend an ivy school so that he could study theoretical physics.  I was initially impressed by Edgar’s determination.  I was also surprised by his invitation to meet his ESL friends for drinks later that night.  I had no other plans so I was obliged to join.     

                We met at the library and traveled together to Andrew’s to meet everyone.  It was slightly humorous because Edgar was completely distraught about being late because he made his friends wait for him at the restaurant.  We were walking swiftly to the desired location.  I asked him if it was common for Venezuelans to be late and while laughing, he said “yes, always.”  We met a group of very diverse students:  people from China, Nepal, Japan, Hungary, USA, and of course, Edgar, from Venezuela.  I felt well received as everyone tried to talk to me and ask me if it was correct to say certain phrases.  In a way, I felt like an English referee!  It made me feel important and essential for the successful flow of the conversation.  I was a middle woman who could patiently recognize the intent of the learner who was speaking.  I felt like we discussed a variety of subjects, though we mainly focused on the weather, environments, animals, local foods, and terrains in our respected countries.  We also mentioned local recipes and the necessary ingredients to prepare them.  That conversation led us to discuss our plans for the following day.  I was graciously invited over to dinner with a small group of the people that were at Andrew’s.

                Gozde, a kind and beautiful woman from Turkey, prepared a feast for us on Saturday.  The food was incredible!  We had hot tea, hand-made chicken soup, fresh salad, delicious white beans, and incredibly flavorful chicken legs.  I was so full by the end of the night and thankful for the kind souls that I met completely out of fate!  Facebook names and phone numbers were certainly traded by everyone involved by the end of the night!