Karen Hand CP #4

Karen Hand CP #4

Date/Time: 11/17/15, 2:20 – 3:00

Location: Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES)

Topic Discussed: Cultures around the World

Cultural and/or linguistic topics you and your partner(s) learned: I had a wonderful time at the CIES Open House today! My favorite room was the Middle East room. I loved the gowns that the men were wearing (I’m still not sure how to say the name of them). I think the men look so regal. I chatted with a young man and asked him where he is from. He pointed to a city on a map of the Middle East he had drawn on the white board. I wasn’t sure what country it was and I didn’t see it labeled. I asked what country that was and he answered by pointing to each country around it and saying, “This is Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Yemen” and then he pointed to the large area in the middle of those countries and said, “So this is what?” Suddenly it was on the tip of my tongue and I said, “I’ve got this!!! It’s….Saudi Arabia!” His face lit up and I felt like I’d just won a round of Jeopardy! Then the funniest thing happened. I said (speaking slowly), “Some day I’d like to go to the Middle East.” I think he was still trying to parse what he heard, and then his face lit up and he said, “Oh! Some dates!” and he pointed to a bowl of dates on the table and said, “Right here!” :-) I will always treasure that memory. Next, I visited Asia, but everyone was watching something on YouTube on the screen and I wasn’t sure what it was, so I took a quick look at the handicrafts in the room instead and then I went to Europe, where I found a very friendly young lady from Russia. We chatted for awhile and I tasted a yummy cheese pastry with sour cream that she says they eat for breakfast. She also showed me toys and other neat things from Russia. Then I went to Latin America where they had more yummy food and lots of neat handicrafts. Finally, I went to Africa and tasted the most delicious talapia fish I have ever eaten. It was amazing and it makes me want to go to Africa for some more! :-) All of the students I met were so amazingly friendly and it reaffirmed for me why I want to go overseas and teach English and share in other people’s cultures. It’s the most amazing thing ever!