For my second meeting with Lupe, we met at the cafe in the BLUU. We sat side by side on the couch and greeted each other. She asked me how my week was going, and I answered that it was stressful as normal. When I asked her how her week was, she told me about all of the assignments and tests that week. I believe it was midterms or finals week for her. She seemed quite discontent about her studies so I asked her if she liked studying English. She told me that she actually hates studying english. She especially dislikes writing and this week she had to write a big paper.
Lupe speaks English like she has been speaking for a while. I was surprised that she didn't like learning english as much as she expressed. I asked Lupe what she would rather be studying and she told me that she really likes graphic design. She also told me that back home in Venezuela her family owns some sort of printing company and she used to design adds for businesses. As part of the Intensive English Program the students attend a regular class at TCU of their choosing to practice taking notes in. Lupe really wanted to take a class in graphic design, but sadly the professor denied her request.
I can understand why Lupe doesn't like studying English and only English. I often complain about my studies, but at least I have some variety in my coursework. I know Lupe plans to stay in the US and make a life for herself here. She also understands how important English literacy is in this country. I really hope Lupe can find something she loves to do so that she can be content while she finishes her studies.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Being a sophomore pre-med student in the second semester of my senior year has been the second most challenging period of my life so far. If you want a taste of my daily life go draw a bunch of geometric figures and then draw some arrows from some points on those figures to other geometric figures and then explain why that certain point attacked the other certain point. It doesn't seem like fun does it?
Well it wasn't much fun and didn't seem like worth it until spring break. I went on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua with the TCU chapter of Global Medical Training (GMT). The short story of GMT is that you get to go to deserving countries and get a taste of what it is like to practice medicine. This experience has been by far the most educational experience I have had thus far. I got to do things that are not allowed in the US until the third year of medical school. From examining skin rashes, to taking blood pressure, to pulling teeth, I got to be a quasi doctor for 5 days.
One patient in particular stood out to me. The first patient on our third day of clinic was a little, wrinkly old lady complaining of only back pain. To only have back pain for an 83 year old woman who has worked her entire life, had 11 children, and walks 1 mile to get water is amazing. Her name was Ana and to me she was beautiful. As we waited for the "real" doctor to come over so we could present Ana's case to him, I noticed she had her long, grey hair tightly braided. My hair was free flowing in the wind and was bothering me so I decided to ask the translator to ask Ana if she would braid my hair for me. Ana thought it was the funniest thing that I wanted her to braid my hair, but she did it anyways.
After the clinic was over, I noticed Ana was still in the area sitting on the side of the road alone. I went over to her with a translator and started a conversation. I learned she lived about 2 miles away and had come to the clinic with her grand child and great grand child. She went on to tell me that she had a total of 34 great grand children!
Throughout the day Ana had been thanking all of the GMT staff, telling us we were a blessing from God, and bestowing her own blessings upon us. This meant a lot to me and all of the GMT staff. It is amazing that these people are so happy with the way they live yet we back home have 100 times as much as they do and we are not half as happy as them. The little time I had with Ana really resonated within me and I became bonded to her.
As we began to leave I felt a pinch in the bottom of my heart and began to cry. Ana was confused and asked why I was crying. I had a translator tell her that I was sad to leave. Then Ana told me something that I have heard many times before, but because it came from Ana it meant much more to me. She said with glowing eyes and ecstatic arm movements, "Young lady, do not cry! You are a child of God and God gives you strength. I have had a happy life because of God and I hope he gives you a happy life as well. You have been such a blessing on this community and I hope you return some day."
I learned this spring break that those who have the least are those that love the most. Thank you Ana.
Well it wasn't much fun and didn't seem like worth it until spring break. I went on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua with the TCU chapter of Global Medical Training (GMT). The short story of GMT is that you get to go to deserving countries and get a taste of what it is like to practice medicine. This experience has been by far the most educational experience I have had thus far. I got to do things that are not allowed in the US until the third year of medical school. From examining skin rashes, to taking blood pressure, to pulling teeth, I got to be a quasi doctor for 5 days.
One patient in particular stood out to me. The first patient on our third day of clinic was a little, wrinkly old lady complaining of only back pain. To only have back pain for an 83 year old woman who has worked her entire life, had 11 children, and walks 1 mile to get water is amazing. Her name was Ana and to me she was beautiful. As we waited for the "real" doctor to come over so we could present Ana's case to him, I noticed she had her long, grey hair tightly braided. My hair was free flowing in the wind and was bothering me so I decided to ask the translator to ask Ana if she would braid my hair for me. Ana thought it was the funniest thing that I wanted her to braid my hair, but she did it anyways.
Throughout the day Ana had been thanking all of the GMT staff, telling us we were a blessing from God, and bestowing her own blessings upon us. This meant a lot to me and all of the GMT staff. It is amazing that these people are so happy with the way they live yet we back home have 100 times as much as they do and we are not half as happy as them. The little time I had with Ana really resonated within me and I became bonded to her.
As we began to leave I felt a pinch in the bottom of my heart and began to cry. Ana was confused and asked why I was crying. I had a translator tell her that I was sad to leave. Then Ana told me something that I have heard many times before, but because it came from Ana it meant much more to me. She said with glowing eyes and ecstatic arm movements, "Young lady, do not cry! You are a child of God and God gives you strength. I have had a happy life because of God and I hope he gives you a happy life as well. You have been such a blessing on this community and I hope you return some day."
I learned this spring break that those who have the least are those that love the most. Thank you Ana.
Conversation Partner #1
So, it has been a while since I met my conversation partner, Lupe, for the first time. Lupe is a 19 year old student from Venezuela. She came to the US previously to visit her brother here in Fort Worth and decided she wanted to make a life of herself here. First, she would need to learn English and that is why she joined the Intensive English Program at TCU.
Upon first sight I noticed Lupe was quite shy as she sheepishly walked towards me. I, on the other hand, am quite outgoing. Our differences in personality made our first meeting a little rocky. Some (many) people can find me a little overbearing, but I have learned to accept who I am and refuse to change. Lupe frequently remarked that she did not know what to say and that it was weird that we were talking to each other being complete strangers.
I learned that Lupe actually hates learning English. She sits in class for the majority of the day focusing on one subject. I wouldn't like that kind of education much either. We talked a while about her brother, his wife, and his kids who she lives with. Then, I told her about my family. When the time was up I was surprised when she hugged me. I didn't think she would be a hugger after all the shyness she had displayed. Regardless, I welcomed the warm embrace and hugged her back. I believe there are many more hugs to come in Lupe and I's relationship.
Upon first sight I noticed Lupe was quite shy as she sheepishly walked towards me. I, on the other hand, am quite outgoing. Our differences in personality made our first meeting a little rocky. Some (many) people can find me a little overbearing, but I have learned to accept who I am and refuse to change. Lupe frequently remarked that she did not know what to say and that it was weird that we were talking to each other being complete strangers.
I learned that Lupe actually hates learning English. She sits in class for the majority of the day focusing on one subject. I wouldn't like that kind of education much either. We talked a while about her brother, his wife, and his kids who she lives with. Then, I told her about my family. When the time was up I was surprised when she hugged me. I didn't think she would be a hugger after all the shyness she had displayed. Regardless, I welcomed the warm embrace and hugged her back. I believe there are many more hugs to come in Lupe and I's relationship.
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