Page 2 VOICES

Dominic Park with his friends from the LCC Page 3 VOICES

Wishing Dominic a Speedy Recovery By Jacqueline Noh, 6B

One year ago, in May 2007, cheerful disposition. He is a Dominic Park came to the wonderful friend and an excel- United States from Korea to lent worker. With his bright, accomplish his dreams. While outgoing personality, he could he was getting accustomed to get along with just about any- being in America, he was one. We, his friends, are all smoothly proceeding step by very concerned about him. step to reach his ambition. Now, Dominic is bearing his However, due to a terrible suffering very well with a posi- unexpected experience, he tive mind; thus, he could regain must now overcome many his health faster. difficulties. We wish him the strength to On the night of July 4, 2008, heal and be well again. With Dominic Park, 24, was getting our love and support, we hope out of his car from his trip. Dominic will be blessed with a Two teenagers followed his full recovery. car, and they demanded his cash and car keys while they held a gun. Dominic just gave his belongings to them; never- theless they fired their weapon at Dominic as they ran out. A bullet hit his neck. With his neighbor’s help, Dominic was rushed to the Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center where he has undergone two surgeries. He moved from Shock Trauma Intensive Care Unit to a gen- eral ward recently. His head is stabilized with bars, and it is hard for him to move freely, but he is gradually getting bet- ter. His friends believe that his fast recovery is from his habit- ual working out. Dominic attended classes in the LCC for three semesters, from spring 2007. He was taking a break this summer. While he was studying in the LCC, he worked at the Well- ness Center as a lifeguard. Dominic is known for his Page 4 VOICES

Director’s Message (continued from cover)

work involved in making sure send that report to the will continue to meet your goals that our Intensive English commission, and invite a review in an Intensive English Program Program meets the high team to visit our program. The concerned with the success of standards set forth by this review team will interview its students. commission. students, teachers, and administrators and visit our Again, I congratulate you on While we are engaged in the self classes and our offices to make your decision to study in the -study, we will be looking at all sure we are doing what we say Language and Culture Center aspects of our program from we are doing. This will be a long this summer. You can be sure curriculum to student services process, but we expect to be re- that you have chosen a dynamic to make sure that we are in accredited when the Intensive English Program with compliance with CEA standards commission meets in April of an excellent reputation and the and, therefore, engaged in best 2010. highest level of accreditation. practice in the field of teaching You can also be sure that you English as a second language. Programs seek accreditation in have chosen a dynamic We will review our mission order to achieve excellence. university, which celebrates and statement to make sure that our Students choose accredited welcomes international curriculum and our policies are programs in order to be sure students. I wish you the best as always related to our mission. they are choosing excellent you complete the summer term We will review our web site and schools. The LCC is seeking re- of 2008, and I look forward to all of our publications to make accreditation through CEA seeing many of you again as you sure that our information is because we believe that this return in September for fall in accurate and up-to-date. We will accrediting agency represents the Language and Culture be busy, and the real the gold standard in Intensive Center. beneficiaries of our hard work English Programs. We know will be our students. that the LCC will be a better program after completing the After we complete the self- self-study, and we know that study, we will write a report, you and your fellow students

Raissa Barbara Clara Simo Kenmognie, Ali Abakar Mouktar, Hector Julian Garcia Neira, and Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen Receive LCC Scholarships By Sandy Hartmann, Associate Director

The Language and Culture Center awards four scholarships each term to returning students who best combine academic excellence and leadership with international awareness and cross-cultural understanding. Traditionally, one full scholarship honors Joyce Merrill Valdes, the founder and first director of the Language and Culture Center. A second full scholarship honors Joseph O. Davidson, who served as director of the LCC for 22 years before retiring in 2006. These two full scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, and medical insurance for one term of study in the Intensive English Program. In addition, the LCC awards merit scholarships of $1500 each for one term of study in the Intensive English Program. At the spring graduation ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2008, the LCC awarded the Valdes scholarship toRaissa Barbara Clara Simo Kenmognie,the Davidson scholarship to Ali Abakar Mouktar, and the two merit scholarships to Hector Julian Garcia Neira and Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen. Page 5 VOICES

from Chad and speaks French. to dedicate this honor to her for her Having been at the LCC for two effort. terms, he is currently in level four. After he finishes his studies at the LCC, he plans to major in computer engineering at UH. When asked about the scholarship, he said, “Receiving this scholarship helped me a lot. It revitalized my ability to study. I want other LCC students to know that they need to persevere and work hard. I thank the faculty and staff, Raissa Barbara Clara Simo especially my teachers for their Kenmognie was awarded the patience. Thanks also to Dr. Valdes scholarship. Ms. Davidson for serving as director Kenmognie, who is from for twenty-two years.” Cameroon and speaks French, is currently studying in level six. Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen (Emi) was This is her second term at the also a recipient of a merit scholarship. LCC and she was in level five Ms. Nguyen, who has been at the when she received the LCC for two terms, is currently scholarship. After she completes studying in level six. She is from her study of English, she plans to Vietnam and her language is begin the master’s program in Vietnamese. After she completes her accountancy at UH. Ms. study of English, she plans to major in Kenmognie said of receiving the Hotel and Restaurant Management. scholarship, “I was very happy Upon receiving the scholarship Ms. that I had been given the Nguyen commented, “I’m so happy opportunity to continue my to receive the scholarship. It not only studies in the program. My helps me to pay the tuition but also parents were very proud of me. encourages me to study better. I have Thank you to the LCC again.” a wonderful time being with many foreign friends and the instructors at Ali Abakar Mouktar was Hector Julian Garcia Neira the LCC.” awarded the Davidson was a recipient of a merit scholarship. Mr. Mouktar hails scholarship. Mr. Garcia is from We congratulate Raissa Barbara Colombia, speaks Spanish, and Clara Simo Kenmognie, Ali Abakar has been a student at the LCC Mouktar, Hector Julian Garcia for three terms. This term, he is Neira, and Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen studying in level four and is on their outstanding records in the planning to pursue an MBA at Intensive English Program at the the University of Houston when Language and Culture Center, and we he completes his work at the wish them great success as they LCC. Mr. Garcia said, “This continue to study in the United States. scholarship is the best honor We all look forward to learning who that I have ever had.” He will be the next LCC scholarship remarked that his mother was recipients at the summer graduation very happy that he got the ceremony. scholarship and that he wanted Page 6 VOICES

ABOUT MY HOME

Zambende tomato and we mix it king made several attempts By Rachid Sow 2C together. After two more to kill his own son, but all In my country Burkina-Faso, minutes, the Shakshoka will were unsuccessful. Finally one of the biggest events be ready. Finally, we have to Lord Vishnu took on the takes place every year and it is put the last touch to get a form of “Narsimha,” called "Zambende." This delicious morsel. We have meaning half-lion and half- involves all families with all to put cheddar cheese, and man and killed the demon social groups all together to it will be yummy. This is King. So, this festival is cherish the love of being Shakshoka. It’s very easy organized every year to alive, together and happy and fast to cook, and it is celebrate the triumph of above all. The celebration delicious. good over evil. The second takes place for two days and festival, Ganeshotsav, is children, parents, and Festivals in India celebrated to honor Lord grandparents share food, By Bhavnaben Desai, 4E Ganesh. He is the Elephant traditions, and play all types If the whole world is a God with the head of an of games and throw water at country of festivals, then elephant and the body of a each other. The rich provide India is the capital of this human. He is the son of food and give most of it to country. With its small, big, God Shiva and Goddess the neighbors, and the kids go local, national, religious, and Parvati. He is considered to from door to door to sing out non-religious festivals, India be the God of all gods and loud and receive money in has the greatest number of therefore people believe that compensation. For two days festivals in the world. The success is ensured if one parents do not go to work, main reason this country asks for his blessings before and there is no school, so it is has so many festivals is that one starts a business. The declared a holiday and the people in India have third festival, namely everybody gets to be with different religious beliefs. In Dusshera, is celebrated to one another, and most this small piece of writing, I honor Lord Rama who importantly, we all thank will just tell you about killed the demon king God for his greatness. Every Hinduism and the important Ravana and thus freed the year the same thing takes festivals associated with it. earth from his evil hands. place and we all get excited Hinduism is perhaps the Diwali, also known as because we all will have number one religion in Deepavali, is the most something in common: Fun is India. Followers of this important festival and is back, and hopefully I'll get to religion celebrate four main celebrated to commemorate share this experience that only national festivals: Holi, the happy return of Lord Zambende can create. Ganeshotsav, Dusshera, and Rama to his native kingdom Diwali. Holi is associated Ayodhya to reign this Shakshoka with the ancient demon king country during the historical By Abdulrahman Nasser, 3B Hiranyakashyap and his period known as Ram Rajya, Many people in Saudi Arabia own son Prahlad. Prahlad which was the most blissful love to eat “Shakshoka” in was a devotee of Lord and prosperous the morning. This dish is Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap the period in the made of eggs, onions, green demon king did not like history of India. onions, tomatoes, and this. He wanted his son to cheddar cheese. First, we put honor him and not Lord the eggs in the oil, and after Vishnu as his God. But two minutes, we add the Prahlad refused to obey his onion, green onion, and the father and so the demon Page 7 VOICES

Rites of Passage in adolescence to adulthood is lake shows a lot of different Burkina Faso very important and colors: yellow, dark green, By Farid Tarnanguida, 3B obligatory for all men in blue, light red and so on. It’s There are many ethnic some ethnic groups in my as beautiful as a painting. groups in Burkina Faso, and country, Burkina Faso. When I stood beside the some of them have a lake, I dreamed that I might specific ceremony for the Sichuan Province, China settle down there one day. I passage from adolescence to By Tiening (William) Xu, 4C climbed a small mountain adult status in their culture. The shocking news on May and from there, the lake This ceremony is the most 12, 2008, made me very sad. looked like the feathers of a important thing in the life of An 8 degree earthquake had peacock. a man in the village. At the struck Wenchuan, a small Another most beautiful spot beginning, all men between city in Sichuan Province. is the Shuzheng Waterfall 15 – 20 years are put Day after day, the number which is 11 meters high and together. The night before of dead people was still 62 meters wide. While I was the first day, all the village increasing. More than there, I saw a rainbow over sings and dances the rhythm seventy thousand people the waterfall. I cannot forget of traditional instruments. were killed in the the beauty of Sichuan or the At dawn the second day, the earthquake. tragic disaster of the young men are taken into Since I had been to Sichuan Sichuan earthquake. the forest (without food or two years ago, I am deeply water) where they have to emotional about this place spend one week before they which is called “the country come back to the village, of heaven” and is famous While they are in the forest, for its beautiful scenery, they must take care of delicious food, and the most themselves. They have to beautiful girls in China. find water and food by Ever since I was a child, I hunting and fishing. Other had had a strong desire to very important preparations visit Sichuan. Therefore, in are ensured by the elder the summer of 2006, I went persons. The night of their to Jiuzhaigou, the most return, the young men are beautiful spot in all of put in the same house for Sichuan. their circumcision. The one This area consists of six who cries becomes the scenic spots: Changhai, shame of this family. After Jianyan, Nuorilang, that, a festival takes place in Shuzheng, Zharu, and the village. And at the end, Heihai. The mountains, each young man goes back lakes, primeval forests, and to his family and builds a beautiful flowers all make new house for his new life. Jiuzhaigou like a fairyland. No man in the village can The very most beautiful build a house or take a wife spot, I think, is the Wuhua before doing this ceremony. Sea. It’s the pride of So, the passage from Jiuzhaigou. The water of the Page 8 VOICES

Cultural Differences

Learning Cultures It is a time to share with family Koreans need to have their By Abdulaziz Alkhatib, 3A and a time to talk about things parents’ permission for marriage that are happening in the family. because to Koreans, marriage If someone asked you to choose We try to eat together almost represents the joining of between studying in a class that every day. In the U.S. it is a little families not just the joining of has many people from different different because people eat a individuals as in America. If the cultures and a class that has lot of fast foods and don’t eat parents are against a possible many people from the same with the family together like in marriage partner, many Koreans culture, I would advise you to my country. I think customs are give up the idea while choose the class that has people not good or bad, just different. Americans do not. Although from different cultures because However, I’m trying to keep my Korean culture is changing, there are many experiences you customs like in my country even traditional thinking is still very will learn from it. In this if I am in the U.S. strong. paragraph I will talk about my experience studying with people from other cultures. The first Courtship and Marriage Marriage Customs in Taiwan day in the class I couldn’t Customs and the Ivory Coast understand anyone and it By Yoorim Kim, 4A By Hui-ching Kao (Anna), 4A seemed to me that it would be If your parents are against your The marriage customs in too hard to complete this class marriage, will you give up? Taiwan and the Ivory Coast with so many cultures, but after Many Koreans do so but have a similarity and one one week I was more Americans do not. As Koreans interesting difference. In both comfortable with the in their twenties become more countries, girls over the age of classmates. Then I learned good westernized, many marriage 18 are allowed to get birth information and heard about customs seem similar to those control pills at the hospital. things I had never heard about of Americans although Girls under 18 must have their before, such as how the people differences still exist. parents go with them to the live in their home country and hospital. Also, most dating what their customs are and what In both Korea and America, the couples have a birth control the traditional clothes and food society today is open-minded plan because they are students are, and how the behaviors and accepts the equality of the who don’t want children before look, and what language they sexes. In the old times, Koreans marriage. The interesting speak and what their beliefs are, preferred sons to daughters, and difference is that the culture in and more and more. I have women did not have the right the Ivory Coast requires the friends from almost any place of choice. Nowadays, boys and permission of parents for dating around the world. From what I girls go to school together and or marriage. In Taiwan, couples have pointed out above, I can can meet one another at clubs, do not have to have parents’ say that culture is very churches, health centers, and permission for dating or interesting to learn about, and it jobs. As young adults, they can marriage. This information is helps me know what the world date without any problems. very interesting to me because looks like. People who are 18 and over can choose their own life and be previously I had only known

responsible for all their about differences in food and Family Meals in Venezuela behaviors. eating habits. I think this was a culture “bump” for me. By Nereida Moncada, 3A Nevertheless, in Korea, many Family meals in Venezuela are elders still think that there is no different from those in the U.S. equality between the sexes and In Venezuela, the big and that public displays of affection important meal is around 1 pm. are not proper. In addition, Page 9 VOICES

Marriage in Saudi Arabia also bad for them because they By Abdulmuhsin Alajmi, 4C can not follow their own will Family Relationships in to learn what they yearn to In Saudi Arabia, the man cannot Thailand learn. The result of this see the woman before the By Sunthorn Saengkrajai, 3A method of education is sad engagement contract is made. because the students cannot Since I came to the US, I have After that, you can meet each develop their own personality. been confused about American other and get to know each other. The special talent of the customs, especially family Then you can choose marriage or individual students may be left relationships. In Thailand, the not do so. By contrast, in the undeveloped. Most of the elderly and their adult children USA, men and women can get to time, when they finish high stay together. Although the know each other before an school, they do have some adults have their own families, engagement and can have sex or knowledge, but this knowledge their parents still stay with live together before an is never profound. them. There is a complicated engagement. There are relationship. Everybody has a In the U.S., things are differences between Saudi duty to help each other. The different. American students Arabian and American marriage elderly have to teach could choose the subjects they customs but the point is the occupational work to their like and they can focus on same: to find a marriage partner. children, such as repairing the them. This method of The difference is in the order of house, sewing clothes, and education is good because it the steps before marriage. doing farm work. In addition, helps build personality, and their children have to respect when their personality and take care of the older Two Kinds of School Life develops, their intellect also family members. Because of By Haoran Xi, 4D develops. The result of this is this close relationship, there that in many fields of study, It is manifest that education, as are few nursing homes in there are geniuses. But things the cornerstone of a nation, plays Thailand. In contrast, in the are always double-edged, so a substantial role in all aspects of United States, the elderly and that many students in America the society. That is why the topic their adult children have their lack the basic knowledge of the regarding it can never fail to own families and do not stay world. Once, I heard a fascinate us. One question is: together. Then it is difficult to professor at Brown University What are the differences in take care of each other. The say that 70% of the students in school life (I mean high-school adult children spend their time U.S. high schools could not life) in China, which is my on their work, and they do not locate Iraq on the map. That is motherland, and the U.S.? have time to take care of their stunning! Students in China are divided own children and their parents into classes and students in the It is not an overstatement to too. The adult children need to same class always stay together say that finding a good spend their time with their during the study time. They have education method is an friends more than with family, no right to choose which class to important task for all the so their parents feel lonely and attend. That is to say, they have nations in the world. From need to stay in nursing homes. to study the subjects that the what has been presented Therefore, I feel that there are school wants them to study. Also, above, we may now ask too many nursing homes in the they do not go from one ourselves this perplexing United States. Now I am trying classroom to another. Instead, question: so, which education to understand American they just stay in an assigned method is better? To tell the culture, but I need to spend classroom and wait for the truth, none is perfect and more time learning about it. different teachers to come. This maybe a combination of the is both good and bad for them. It two education methods shown is good for them because they do above will work better than not have to spend time making any single one. their own study plans. But it is Page 10 VOICES

So Many Differences everything themselves. Of all between parents and children to Between Korea and the U.S. the differences, I think the last keep their relationship healthy. By Minha Pyo, 4D difference is most interesting . and I think we should learn to Having lived in the U.S. for The Significance of a House be independent and to do quite some time now, I have everything ourselves after By Teruhiko Toda, 4C noticed there are so many finishing high school, just like Japanese and Americans have differences between my the American children different ideas regarding houses: country, Korea, and the U.S. I their location, style, and status. will point out what I think are First, the house near the train the biggest differences. The first Taiwanese Parents and station is much more valuable for difference has to do with eating Children Japanese people because of the habits. In my country, when By Hsiao-Ting (Tina) Ni, 3A growth of the train transportation people sit down to dinner, they The relationship of parents and system. In contrast, in America use chopsticks to get the food. children in Taiwan is different where the car is the main method In America, they use forks and from in America. Taiwanese of transport, the house is more knives. Also, the main meal is parents put their whole valued the farther it is from the rice in my country, but in the attention on their children, and, downtown. A second difference is U.S. it is bread. The second according to tradition, children style. Japan has two kinds of difference is about housing. can’t discuss matters with their houses: old style and modern. The Almost everyone in my country parents. If parents decide old style is more expensive lives in an apartment, while something, children just follow because of the lack of artisans to most Americans live in a house. their decision. Parents also give build them. By contrast, America Also, in my country, people their children a strong has many styles of houses never wear shoes inside their suggestion when the children including remodeled older homes. homes. When I first came here, choose a major. Sometimes it is Finally, the status of the house is I was really uncomfortable good that parents help their different. In Japan the house is when I was told to wear shoes children to make decisions used as a “place of life”. Japanese inside the house. The third because parents have more life are more connected to their difference is about the people. experience, but it also eliminates houses than are Americans and The Americans usually act a lot of possibilities for the they have a lifestyle of using the individually, while in my children. How about American floor more. Sitting and lying down country people usually act as a parents? American parents treat on the floor is typical of Japanese group. For example, in my their children like friends. It lifestyle. Conversely, Americans country, people play together makes children want to talk focus more on using the house for and eat together. Because of this with their parents and makes for entertainment, and they enjoy habit of doing everything a peaceful relationship. When having furniture and lighting to together, holding hands with a American children choose their express their taste in their friend of one’s same sex in major, American parents give spacious houses. Korea is regarded as friendship. them a lot of space for making Yet, acting like that in America their decision. Their children would make people can choose what they are misunderstand. The last interested in. American parents difference is related to the third give their children many difference. In my country, our chances to think by themselves. parents continue to support us Taiwanese parents supervise even after we have graduated every decision their children from high school or university. make, whereas American But in American culture, like in parents give their children more the movies, after finishing high freedom to decide everything. school, children are expected to We should try to find a balance be independent and to do Page 11 VOICES

LEARNING ENGLISH

Studying English Outside of My learning English is one of my pri- working as a pharmacist for quite Country orities for me to accomplish. Eng- some time now and has earned By Nazim Mahesaniya, 3B lish is one of the tools to success. enough money to realize most of English is my second language, but Finally, the gist is that English is the his dreams. all of the people do not speak Eng- candle which can light our life in To sum up, we can say that getting lish in my country. If I go to the some way. a good job in the United States is market shopping or anywhere even not quite easy and the story about in a car, I have to use my national Home Sweet Home my uncle should be a good lesson language. So it’s very difficult to By Cherif Alade, 4E for all of us. Personally, I believe create an environment to speak To have a better life, one needs to that after finishing my studies in the English, and that’s why it’s not pos- have a decent job. In Gabon, which United States, I will go back to sible to learn English my home is my country, it is easy to find a job work in my country. Home! Sweet country. But if I go to a country and anyone with a B.A. degree can Home! where the first language is English, find a decent job. But finding a it must be a better place to learn good job is not so easy in the Studying with people from other English language because I must United States and this is particularly cultures speak English everywhere. I have true with people coming here from By Chia (Brenda) Lee, 3C an environment of English, so I can other countries. Studying with people from other learn it quickly. Therefore, studying That is exactly what happened to cultures is a significant experience English outside of my country is one of my uncles who left Gabon for me. I have always been inter- more effective. to go to the United States five years ested in all kinds of cultures, but ago. Before leaving for the United until I came to the United Reasons to study English States, he was working as a pharma- States, I had no chance to study By Masa, 3B cist and therefore he thought it with foreigners. Now, I am studying One day while I was exercising on would be simple for him to get a in the LCC, and that is a pretty the treadmill, I read the word job based on his real skills. But it good way to communicate with “distant” so I asked my father wasn’t. Upon arrival in the United people from other countries. First, I about the meaning of this word, States, he immediately set out to feel strongly that other cultures and he said, “You are an eighteen- hunt for a job, but no matter how have more passion than my culture. year-old and you don’t know what hard he tried, he could not find a It influences me in thinking about “distant” means?” And after this job in a pharmacy anywhere. After my culture, which is, in some situa- situation I felt so depressed with five or six months, he began to be tions, too shy to express my emo- the meager knowledge I had in less optimistic about getting a good tions. Secondly, during the classes, English; as a result, I decided to job and at last, not having enough we usually talk to each other to dis- learn English by attending the LCC. money for paying his bills, he had cuss our assignments. It is good for Also, English is the world’s lan- to do jobs he did not like. The first us to get varied opinions. I think guage, so the more English I know, job he did was to cook in a restau- there are various viewpoints be- the better chance of good commu- rant but he left this job quickly be- cause of our different background. I nication I will have. I remember cause he thought that he was too can find the advantages and learn when I had an interview and the qualified academically to work as a from my classmates. Finally, our manager rejected me because of my cook and to get this small salary. completely different languages inadequate English. Except for this After giving up the job, he started cause us to use English. It pushes reason, I would be in a great job, to work as a taxi driver. He worked me to practice English. We share but with a meager amount of Eng- as a taxi driver for two years but at our stories in English. That is ex- lish I don’t think I could get it. If I last he decided to go back to his actly why I decided to study abroad. want to go toward the summit, I country. What happened to him in In conclusion, I have enjoyed must have an excellent background Gabon was different from what had studying with people from other in my second tongue. Moreover, to happened to him in the United cultures and have treasured this be able to speak more than one States: within two weeks in Gabon, opportunity to learn from them. language may open a lot of oppor- he got job offers from three phar- tunities in my path. Therefore, maceutical companies! He has been Page 12 VOICES

My Experience Studying With information about Chinese, Japanese, problems yet. Although I might not People from Other Cultures Arabian, and Russian people and I speak English perfectly or fluently, it’s By Chin (Gini) Lee, 3B didn’t know anything at all about not big problem now. I think it will be Studying with people from other African, Venezuelan, or Vietnamese better. cultures is very important. We all cultures and people. Now, I am Maybe after a time, I will experience have different learning new things about these mental isolation because time is pass- cultures. It’s very important for me, backgrounds, pronunciation, cus- ing and my needs are increasing. I am because I want to become an in a hurry to speak fluently, but I need toms, and maybe even age. So re- intellectual person. I want to learn spect, time to speak fluently. However, since different about cultures. If we learn I have learned about the cultural ad- listening, learning, and communica- about different cultures, we can justment cycle, I will pass this and the tion about other people’s opinions connect with the people from the other stages with knowledge and un- are a major lesson. other cultures. Living in the USA is a derstanding. very important experience for me. For instance, some people are very shy to talk to other people, so I Although, we have different cultures, always keep asking we are all humans. We have the same My First Day in the LCC basic values: love, honesty, By Rasha Almohsin, 3A some questions to spark their inter- truthfulness. If everybody could learn est. And if I can’t understand what about different cultures and stay clear The most exciting day of my life was they are saying, I of prejudice, I think the world would my first day in the LCC. In fact, I can may ask them to repeat it again to become a peaceful place. remember every moment I spent on that day. On my first day in the LCC, make sure of the meaning. The young people are very active, but I came too early before doing the reg- sometimes they are lazy to do some My Cultural Adjustment Cycle istration, so I stayed outside the LCC group work, and it is hard to tell By Burak Beduk 3B building looking at the wonderful them how to do it. Some people fountain in front of the building. One Everybody experiences living in a hour later, I turned around and found can’t accept another’s opinion; they different place in different ways, but are very persistent in their opinion. that there were many students coming there are many similarities. The Cul- to the LCC building, so I followed No matter what, I always try to tural Adjustment Cycle gives us one respect others because we are dif- them. Everything was organized in- of the best examples. If someone goes side, and all the new students were so ferent people from different coun- abroad for the first time, she/he can tries and diverse cultures. On the happy and smiling. While I was wait- experience some confusing and diffi- ing to complete my registration, I other hand, I also love to meet new cult times. But if somebody can have friends from other countries too. talked with other new students from extensive information about living in different countries. I was so happy to And, I can still learn something new a different country, she/he might not from them. get new international friends from the suffer the cultural adjustment cycle first day in the LCC. My last thing to quite so profoundly. When I came to complete the registration was the in- Different Cultures Houston, I wasn’t very happy because terview. I was thinking about it all the I had to leave my family, relatives, By Bilal Beduk, 3C time since it was my first interview in friends and country. But I was excited the United States. Also, I thought that There are many different cultures in about learning English and having the teachers would be tough. I was the USA. When I decided to come new experiences. Therefore, my hon- counting the seconds until the teacher to the USA, I thought there are eymoon period wasn’t joyful, but it called my name. I was afraid to enter many different cultures there and I wasn’t desperate either. the room for the interview. However will learn about different cultures. I Everything began to get easier when I after I opened the door and saw the came to the LCC and I met many started studying at the LCC at UH. smile on the teachers’ faces, I took a people from different countries, We have had very experienced teach- breath and relaxed. The interview and we have been learning many ers, and they have taught us many went fast, and I did not feel the time. things from each other. Everbody important points about Americans After I finished the registration, I has different languages, different and different cultures. For example, walked outside with my new interna- traditions, different cultures, etc. we know we should be careful when tional friends to see our great univer- When I talk with friends, I learn a we meet and greet somebody for the sity and to have lunch. I really enjoyed lot of information about other first time. So, I think, I’m in initial my first day in the LCC, and it was cultures. Before, I knew only a little adjustment. I haven’t had any major the most exciting day of my life. Page 13 VOICES

FIELD TRIPS

Student Observations of the clothes were more awesome civilizations. While looking at Houston Museum of Natural than I could have imagined. A the dinosaur skeletons, I could Science, July 8 young girl on a horse was imagine a lively primeval era wearing a shirt decorated with with archaic animals. The Weiss RohinMaknoja, 4C elks’ teeth. This creativity Energy Hall is a sophisticated Visiting the Houston Museum stunned and surprised me. and comprehensive exhibit of Natural Science is an beginning with the Big Bang opportunity to discover and Marjorie Silva, 4A and the eventual formation of experience the wonders of As I walked through the life on Earth. The Gems and science and nature. Exhibits museum, I met people of all Minerals collection has a 1,869 from all over the world offer ages speaking in different carat emerald. scientific information from eras languages. As I walked past the before the dinosaurs to the time huge dinosaur fossils, I recalled of space exploration. the movie, “Jurassic Park”. The Ali Mouktar, 4C African Wildlife was my favorite I was stunned when I went to Tatiana Dogbo, 4A exhibit and made me feel like I the HMNS. This museum is This museum trip was an was on a safari. The fantastic wonderful. In all my life, I had amazing happening in my life. and amazing Gems and never before seen a dinosaur Even if I wasn’t in the world a Minerals made me feel like I fossil. I had seen dinosaurs in long time ago, I now know a lot was in a jewelry store. In the TV and movies but thought that I can discuss with others. I Energy Hall, Peter explained they were imaginary. At the learned about many cultures. different types of energy museum, I saw for myself that We saw a raincoat made from sources to me. Also a lady who they were 100% real. In fact, I the intestines of a seal and a spoke Spanish talked to me want more dinosaur cape made from colorful about African wildlife. Many information than I found there. feathers of Amazonian birds. exhibits have move I also think that the Egypt What great inventiveness! We presentations which make it exhibit was too small for the also learned about the seven easier to understand. revolutionary history of Egypt ecosystems of Africa. and that this exhibit needed to Sani Nazir, 4C be in a more prominent place. Yoorim Kim, 4A The exhibit halls show a rich On the First Floor, the most and diverse array of natural and interesting thing is the short scientific marvels. The movie about how the Earth was innumerable benefits of this formed. There was a big museum can be enjoyed for explosion called the Big Bang. FREE on Tuesday afternoons After that the geology of the after 2:00 pm. It’s not always Earth changed several times necessary to pay money to visit until the continents were as they this fabulous museum. are today. On the Second Floor, I was Kim Nguyen, 4C fascinated by the Gems and The Houston Museum of Minerals. It was like a jewelry Natural Science is the greatest shop and I stayed there for a place that I have ever been. It long time. Each gem and has a lot of things that I never mineral has its own gorgeous knew about such as color. archaeological discoveries, fossil The Third Floor exhibits Native remains of dinosaurs, and American civilizations. Their information about ancient Page 14 VOICES THE CULTURE FESTIVAL

By Abdoul Ouedraogo ,3B a beautiful dance is that!” It was festival. Different countries have The Culture Festival is a very impressive. Also, I was very different cultures, but I won’t manifestation which shows the glad when people asked me to forget situation with the LCC faces of other cultures to those invite them to dance with us. I find professors during our festival of whom ignore them. And at LCC people are interested in my culture, summer 2008. I learned many program, we have many different and so I ask to learn about theirs. things at the culture festival. cultures, so it is important to In conclusion, it is important to organize this kind of event for keep this activity alive forever. It is By Xu (Vicky) Jie, 3B people. In this way they can learn a good educational tool that I more about each other and also support one hundred percent. I think the culture festival is a very have a good time. I can explain good way for us to know other what is going on in my culture, but country’s cultures and meet more By LanNguyen, 3B nobody can describe exactly the people in the LCC. Everyone way people in my country do Last Friday, my school welcomed should come and enjoy it. If you things. So, with a Culture Festival, the culture festival at the University didn’t come this time, you’d better it is your eyes which pick up of Houston, The LCC prepared a come next time. You’ll enjoy pictures of what you are seeing. place for students to take part in a every minute, and have a good Although you may speak about cultural exchange, to taste a lot of time there. On the day of the your culture, people generally don’t foods from other countries, and festival, in class, we talked a lot want to learn more even if they say discuss it together. This is my about our countries’ cultures. I so. But actual images can change impression of this culture festival. was so surprised to hear so many their mind. By seeing something When we finished our study that differences between my country you want to taste it even if you did day, we went outside the building and others and I was happy to not think about it before. Several and found a lot of students, recognize the similarities. After times when we see a food never teachers and visitors standing class, all the classmates went out seen before, it is the vision and the around tables. There was a lot of of the LCC building. Although it smell that can incite us to eat, so food on the tables for everybody to was very hot outside, we enjoyed the culture is appreciated. Thus, I taste. My group brought a lot of every minute. I met a lot of will never buy a fish which is not Vietnamese food. We invited friends during the culture festival, caught from the water, yet I will everybody to taste our food from and some of them I knew already never ask to taste a cuisine that I my country and we tried to taste but some of them I didn’t. It’s a just heard about. Eye contact is other foods. We ate, talked, and good chance to make friends with very important in making a danced together. This was the first stranger from other countries. We decision. Having a festival culture festival I attended, so took a lot of pictures which made concerning culture is the best way everything was novel for me. I not me so happy. We also asked all for people to learn more about only was amazed about foods, Chinese people to get together, other cultures. It shows values to culture, eating and drinking, and and we took a photo. It made me cultures, and makes people dress traditions, but I was also feel warmth just like in my interested in other cultures. When impressed that teachers joined the country. We also ate foods from it is just word of mouth, I think festival. They did many things many countries. One of the dishes people have impressions that their carefully and happily. I wanted to cooked with rice and fish was so cultures don’t have any value for help them, but they didn’t allow me hot that it gave me strong others. For example, on the 18th to do this. I was surprised and very memories. I tried many countries’ July 2008 at the Culture Festival, touched by our professors. I think food, and most of them are when African people were dancing, that this is big culture that I learned delicious. I enjoyed every minute I saw everybody moved around to from Americans. Although they during the culture festival, and I see what we were doing. And I was have been teaching us, they don’t learned a lot on that day. I am excited to dance salsa with Spanish have reservations about cleaning already looking forward to the people. I just said to myself, “what up and helping out at the culture next culture festival. Page 15 VOICES

PERSONAL STORIES

Life before I came to America Master’s degree. So I planned study like usual and I saw that By Lam Le 2B to go to a foreign university the fountain across from the and I chose UH. I prepared LCC building looked different. When I completed my high documents and expected to In the fountain wasn’t water, it school, my parents wanted me to get the Visa in the interview. was coffee, cappuccino, to be become an accountant. But I Because in Vietnam the precise. The grass wasn’t the don’t like it; I would like to be a interview is very difficult, grass; it was fruit jelly. Caramel programmer; I love to program maybe they would refuse to flowers and waffle trees were on computer. I attempted to give me the Visa, so I was growing around the fountain. convince my parents that very nervous. Finally, I got On the waffle trees hung waffle programmer is right for me. But the Visa and went to the US. cones. Moreover, chocolate they didn’t accept it. I didn’t give Before I went to US, I didn’t swans swam in the coffee. LCC up and tried to convince them remember to make a party students and teachers were again. And luckily, they accepted. with my friends but promised sitting around this wonderful I decided to go to Ho Chi Minh to go back to Vietnam when I fountain and eating all of those City and learn at the University of finish. sweet things. Some people were Technology. My parents agreed After I registered in UH, they picking the waffle cones, to let me go to Ho Chi Minh putting inside ice cream that City. asked me to take a test. First, I need to learn English in was lying on the benches made At the university, I learned to UH. After that, I will of cookies, and were eating it make the programs, the websites continue to learn computer with waffle spoons. Some and I was very fascinated. I science. I think that I prefer people were drinking the coffee began to make a real program at to live in the US because it’s with the whip cream that the beginning of the second year. comfortable to learn. And floated like clouds in the sky. It was the snake game. Now I finally, I hope to get a When my classmates and my have lost it because I forgot to Master’s degree. teacher saw me, they began to store it when I fixed my call to me, “Irina! Come here!” I computer. In that year, I started wanted to take a cup of coffee to learn specific technologies Sweat Dream with chocolate, but I couldn’t such as .NET, Java, and so on. I Irina Sergeeva 5C because my alarm woke me up. needed to choose one of them, so I had to get up and go to the I chose .NET. You cannot imagine what University, to the LCC to study kind of extraordinary day When I completed the bachelor, I English. It was only a dream, a happened yesterday at U of sweet dream. continued to learn .NET myself. H. I came to the University to I wanted to learn more and get a Page 16 VOICES

My Last Day at Home change my habits. My friends and boyfriends, close By Elizabeth Tokarenko, 5A I took a seat on my old, red and not really: I leave all of you bed, which had traveled to twice! I move away from you “One more wake-up and at last further and further… I will never need this disgusting Moscow with me, and I thorny coat anymore!” – I was looked over paper printed By the end of the day I was thinking to myself one dark and photographs, recalling my far attacked by the squall of gloomy morning, while lying in friends and dear people, who telephone calls and despite that bed and looking through the were no longer part of my life we had had a farewell party two blackened window on the and whom I would never see days before, everybody wanted cheerless landscape of the big again. Here they are, on those to talk to me up till the end, to city. Spring didn’t hurry up and papers… my dead give me the last instructions how even probably wasn’t going to grandparents from my father’s I should live and behave myself visit Moscow that year, giving side holding me, a baby, in in the unfamiliar country. My me some even more reason to their arms. I didn’t even hear old, crippled granny couldn’t not spleen. their last “farewell,” as I was come to my apartments to teach far from them and too me a few lessons of worldly I was so exhausted, not unconcerned, as only youth wisdom. physically, but emotionally, with can be. all my expectations, packing and On the way to airport there were accommodations of that period. I took another picture and saw terrible traffic jams; my mom, my It wasn’t even exciting, leaving my own first tiny apartments brother and I were very scared the hateful city – as I thought at in the small sea town of my that we might be late, but that moment. The future birth; and my adorable old fortunately, at hardly the last seemed to be as grey as the wet granny, cooking something moment the road became clear asphalt of a huge highway and I inimitably tasty; and my dear and we reached the terminal. compared myself to a small dog that had long ago passed When it was time to board and I unprotected car, ripping down away, sitting beside her with a was going to switch off my cell, this never-ending road of life, foxy expression on his red my dad called me: “How are you, having no right to make a stop shaggy muzzle, unlawfully daughter? I missed you! Take or turn back to my customary trying to take part in the feast. care and remember that you are familiar road. My father, whom I felt had MY daughter, I love you very During the last week I had betrayed me when he had much; you are everything that I already said the last “good-bye” divorced my mother: I have.” to my friends, colleagues and couldn’t stay with you because relatives, and, finally, I had I was just too ambitious and nothing to do. My huge wished to conquer Moscow. suitcases – red and pink, like two brothers of different fathers, were also packed and ready to go, but when I shot a glance at them, some incomprehensible feeling of loss spilled out of me. I was wandering round the house, chaotically touching objects, opening drawers of the bureau – it was almost unbelievable, that tomorrow I would have a new surrounding and would probably have to Page 17 VOICES Page 18

Summer 2008 LCC students and teachers gather together to enjoy the culture festival.

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TRIPS AND ADVENTURES

My Best Vacation – Bali Kuta, Ubud and the temples of My Best Vacation Island Tanah Lot. In addition, we By Lan Ngueyen, 3B By Gini Lee, 3B learned that Bali’s cultural heritage is visible everywhere. I will never forget the enjoyable I love to travel in my free We visited many colorful trip I took to Nha Trang, time. My best vacation was to festivals and ceremonies. We VietNam. My parents, my older Bali Island in Indonesia. I were so surprised by those new sister, my two younger sisters, went there with my friends. experiences. I have taken my younger brother and I When we arrived in Bail, we several trips as an adult, but the decided to go there in the went immediately to the villa. best vacation was to Bali Island. summer of 2007. The seven of Our room had a swimming It was really unforgettable. us went by car from our pool, kitchen and comfortable hometown Long Khanh to Nha bed. It was really a beautiful Trang. When we arrived in Nha place to relax and have a good Trang, we went first to our rest. We also had a personal hotel. After dinner, we planned chef who made good meals our itinerary for the next five for us every day, so we all felt days. The weather was great the like princesses. In the whole week, and I had the time following five days, we visited of my life! We visited Vinpear the famous Besakih Temple Land, went to Sand Hill for on the slopes of Holy Mount gold, swam in the sea, had a Agung, an active volcano, mud-bath, went to the market and ate famous food there. I bought some Nha Trang soy sauce and squid for my friends. Although I had taken several trips before that summer of 2007, the best trip in my life was my trip to Nha Trang because it was the last trip I took with my family together in Viet Nam.

Page 22 VOICES

A SPECIAL PERSON

The Teacher who Changed time: centrifugation, purification, me anything I needed. I my Life electrophoresis, distillation and remember he always tried to give By Maria Torskaya, 6A analysis. I, as a specialist in us chocolate or candy every time, chemistry, can say that it was without my mother knowing There have been a lot of amazing. Furthermore, on the because she always said chocolate teachers during my life, but one same working day she delivered is bad for the health. When I of them was really outstanding. lectures for the students and graduated from elementary I think it is very important for participated in science seminars. school, he gave me many gifts like many of us to have a good She made an important a minibox and candy. He liked to mentor, who guides you, who contribution to science. Suffice it play with us and take us to play in can help you with advantageous to say that several state analytical the park. My brother liked to help and valuable advice, who can methods were developed by Dr. people for anything, and he encourage you, when you feel Zhukova; there were not helped me with my homework. that you are not able to get your documents of certification or the When he was sick I was very sad dream. I am a very lucky person laws of using, producing, storage and worried for him, because I because I met a teacher whom I and selling food products loved him. He likes to travel very respected and admired. without her participation. Galina much. One time he took me to It was about 8 years ago. I had had two wonderful grandchildren visit Dubai, and I was very young just graduated from the and she always found time for travel, but he decided to take University with my Masters during the weekends to play with me to visit Dubai. Finally, I can degree in chemistry and biology. them. say that it is very important to My first job was in the I loved her very much. She was give thanks to the best person in Laboratory of Food Toxicology not only a mentor for me, she my life. in the Research Institute of was a friend and mother at the Nutrition. I did not know what same time. I worked with her, My Mother exactly I would do because I learned from her and tried to be had no any experience. My chief By Mai Linh, 2A energetic and optimistic like she I always remember my great introduced me to Dr. Galina was. Remember, she was 64! Zhukova and said that she mother. She is a beautiful woman. Galina taught me everything: She is tall and average weight. She would be my mentor. She how to design experiments, how looked at me very skeptically has short brown hair. Her face is to prepare agents and solutions, very clement and beautiful. She and said, “We will see, we will how to think and solve see.” looks younger than her real age. problems, how to write research She often wears a traditional dress She was a 64-year-old woman. articles and make presentations, when she goes out with my father. She was beautiful, highly even how to find my own My mother was born in 1954 in a educated and eminently mistakes. I need to thank my small village in the central eastern qualified. She had a Ph.D. in lucky stars because I met her. part of Viet Nam. Her family had chemistry and great experience 8 people and they were very poor, in science. I worked with her My Brother so she had to do many things to for 4 years. It was a remarkable, help her mother take care her unforgettable time. She was By Abdullah Alyabis, 2A younger sisters and younger working like a whirlwind. Galina When I was a child, I had a lot brothers. In 1975 when my could handle several problems friends and brothers. My older country was independent from the at the same time. For example, brother was my best friend. I US, she got married with a kind if it concerned chemical liked him more than everyone man and moved to southern Viet experiments, she was able to because he is more than a Nam. They had 2 girls, my sister manage four or five completely brother. He was friendly, and me. We have a happy family different processes at the same wonderful and lovely. He gave in a little house there. When I Page 23 VOICES was a child, I liked to play beside 1983, so I miss her very much, body permitted and take a cold my mother because I loved to see and I want to say I loved her shower. That was amazing for what she was doing and how she because I never told her I loved me because I never saw an old did it. She has always been the her very much. I didn’t know man begin the day in that way! person I wanted to see when I how much she loved me and Papito enjoyed reading; he was woke up in the morning. At that took care of me very well always reading. He read all the time, the economy of Viet Nam because I was a very young books that he could, including was in its lowest level, so my child, so I couldn’t say thanks. the Bible and dictionary. I mother had to work many jobs. Today, a long time after her remember that when it was She worked really hard every day. death, I know that now. I difficult for me to find an She often woke up early in the remember that she was very answer, I quickly sat near him morning to make breakfast for generous. I think she was the and asked him for answers, but everyone in our family. She also most generous person I ever every answer took more time worked 8 hours in office. She met because she always forgave that I thought. Each answer was always cooked lunch for us before me when I was bad. She raised a beautiful and amazing story she went to work. She is a great me to be a strong and intelligent that I got to imagine. When he cook. On weekends, my family gentleman because she always stopped, I knew more than I had the opportunity to try many taught me about kindness and wanted. That was wonderful special foods made by her. I patience and she made me because I thought that Papito remember she made cake for my several good foods every day. I was a human encyclopedia that I sister and me once every week. miss her very much right now. should take advantage of. She had good way to teach us. “I love you so much, Sometimes I saw him put in When she cooked, she asked me Grandma!” practice his inventions of physics to come and help her, so now I which always surprised me. know she wanted me to study Something that at the beginning how to cook and to interest me Papito was funny for me was when when I helped her. She also gave By Jessica Katty Alarcon Yepez, Papito said “hello,” taking off his me knowledge about how to live 2A hat and waving it in the air, but alone, so I could do many things When I was 5 years old, Mom later I understood that it was a by myself when I was a child. My died and Pop was sunk in form of politeness that he neighbors really loved her. They sadness. Days passed and Pop showed. Additionally, Papito often told me about the good decided that our Mom’s parents always worried for me. If he saw things she did and I was proud of were the best way to have a me sad, he used his abilities to my mother. She taught me the good education for my sisters make me happy, and if I was ways to have good behavior. She and me, and he could work very crying, he took a seat near me always told us: You must be hard for us. Soon we went to and talked with me. When it was friendly and love other people, grandfather’s house. “Papaito time to go to bed, Papito said because people need the best and Mamaita” were waiting for good night with sweet words and from you, and they also will give us with their arms open and as a kiss on my forehead. If I was the best back to you. So she soon as they saw us they were the first to say good night, I saw practiced her lesson for us by the full of kisses for us. Days, him sit and pray on his bed in way she helped poor people. She months and years passed, and the dark bedroom. I know that gave food to them and helped Pop never failed to visit us, but he loved me as I loved him them if she could. She knew what I felt that “Papaito” was more because he never failed to say she did was a good lesson for us. than my grandfather, so I began that to me. I learned a lot of him. to call him “Papito”. Papito was I am proud of my Papito, who

an old man that looked 10 or 15 was the example of life to me. I My Grandmother years younger. He was will never forget him. responsible, very kind and By Jaemyeong Shin, 2A humorous. A normal morning A special person in my childhood in his life was to wake up at 6 or is my grandmother. She died in 7, do some exercises that his Page 24 VOICES

My Grandmother loves all of them. She wanted me to who do not have a place to live. I like By Jie Wu, 2A become doctor. She loves me more to be kind with everybody so they will than all the students because she be kind with me. That day we learned My grandmother on my mother’s believes me to be a smart student. that we can’t change her, because she side is my favorite person. She I’m thankful for my teacher. I’m has a big heart and we can do was very friendly. She always wore happy to be with my teacher. I love everything even though she is not a smile on her face and never you, teacher. going to change. My mother always spoke loudly. She did everything says life is not easy but we have to be patiently. She was very kind. She strong, and work very hard to have got on well with relatives and My Grandfather everything that we want. Everybody neighbors. If you had difficulties, By Jean Luc Liliou, 2A says to her, “You are a wonderful he was always ready to help. person.” When I grow up, I want to When a neighbor had to travel, I remember my grandfather. He was wonderful. He was the best cook be like her. The neighbors always say my grandmother looked after to her, I want to be like you, a their pet and flowers. It’s a little that I ever knew. I remember he made rice and fish every Sunday. It generous woman who likes to help thing but she always did it. My everybody, show the best way to do grandmother told me to be was so interesting because every Sunday we have a long discussion the right thing, the woman who says if honest. She hoped I would be you study hard be kind with useful to people. I will never about life. He taught me to cook. I don’t forget this moment. Since everybody and be generous, you will forget her. She is my favorite be successful in your life. Everybody person. childhood I have remembered that. Also he liked everybody. He was says my mother is the best person in friendly. He talked with everybody, the world. My mother always says My Teacher even with my friends too. He had never say “never” or never say “I can’t” if you haven’t tried. She is By Laila Al-hadab, 2A good relations with his neighbors, relatives, partner and his friends. He friendly to everyone. When you need When I studied in high school, was wise. He helped me not to be her help, she always has time for you. the math teacher was a dull afraid of many things in my life. “A She likes to visit neighbors; also she woman. She wasn’t married. She man must be courageous,” said my likes to cook for them and teach is very smart; when she was a grandfather. He was even helpful. things about life. My mother always student, she was the first He showed me all the time the best says to the neighbors that life is never graduation in university. Usually way to live. When I got problems he hard. You need to make it easy. You she was very angry when she helped me. just need to try and think that you can taught math. Then we didn’t do this. When my mother says things understand very well what she like that, people always say “You are a said. She usually said “I’m sorry, My Mother special person. You are helpful and students. I’m angry because this is By Luisa Hermes, 2A kind. We love you so much.” My first time to teach math.” She mother always shows her love doing couldn’t teach us well. For A special person in my life is my these wonderful things, and she has a example, one day she did some mother. She is friendly, generous good and wonderful name: “Mary of exercises. After that, when she and a super mother. My mother is a the Sky”. super mother because she takes care came to the next class, she said, “I’m sorry, students. I did those of everybody and she likes to stay exercises wrong”. Then, all the with family, friends and neighbors. My Wonderful Mother students couldn’t understand, so She likes to play with her grandsons By Palamango Tankoana, 2A they felt nervous and they and cook for them, and the most My mother is a special person to me couldn’t ask her. She also gave us important thing is to give good and for our family. She is tall and a hard test every week, so she advice about life. My mother is a beautiful with a nice body. She is very wanted us to be like her. generous woman. She likes to help wise and kind with everybody and she However, she was helpful when people. One day she brought likes to take care of everyone that she she gave us many exercises and somebody that we don’t know knows. She has a good smile and likes hard tests. She was friendly and home to live with us. We were very also to talk wonderful and wise things generous. She helped all the furious about that, but my mother with her children. For example, she students to be smart student. She always says I like to help people told me when I was in Ouagadougou Page 25 VOICES with her, “Don’t smile with all the one isn’t happy, she asks about Father’s Inspiration boys.” When I call her, she talks to their problem and tries to give me about these things. I always them the solutions. She likes to By Yerbolat (Eric) Nazarbekov, 6B remember everything that she told watch African movies for two I am inspired by my father, who me and did for me when I was hours every afternoon, and she always reminds me to be strong, with her. Also my mother likes to likes to sleep 8 hours. Every year never to give up, and to achieve cook and she teaches her children on September 6th, her birthday, she success in this difficult life. how to cook. She taught me how cooks many foods such as recets, Of all the people I respect and ad- to cook rice, potatoes and many alloco, haricot vert, pomme de terre and mire, my father is the perfect ex- macaroni. She invites her friends to other foods. Every Christmas and ample for me of a successful per- the party. She is an excellent son. I like going with my father to Easter she cooks many foods and mother and I love her a lot. gives it to some guests, parents and his work because he knows his job perfectly. As I talk to my father’s her neighbors, and, she shows my friends, it is clear to me how much sister and I how to make it. This My Grandfather they enjoy having such a good per- woman is very interesting and By Mahamadou Tembely, 2A son near them. He has respect not strong. She is the best and loveliest My grandfather was someone who only among friends, but also person that I have ever known. liked fishing. He was 60 years old among our relatives. when I was 12 years old. He was If someone has a problem, my fa- tall and had some white hair. He ther is always willing to discuss it My Grandfather always told me the best way to live. with them and give his advice By Mohamed Qasqas, 2A Generally as all grandfathers, he about how to solve it. In fact, I didn’t like to see children unhappy. My grandfather is a great man. He have never seen my father ignore He was very kind especially with someone who asked for his help. I was kind with everybody, with chil- me because I was his best friend. dren and especially with me. When personally benefitted from his wis- I was child, he usually took me to One day my grandfather and I dom when I had some difficulties the carnival in Damascus with my planned to go fishing together. As in high school. I had problems relatives. The games were wonder- soon as we arrived at the river he with friends, and it accordingly ful and very nice. The carnival had told me to prepare the equipment affected my lessons. I was in an a car rides, horse rides and many for fishing while he was changing uncomfortable situation because other rides, so it was very fun day. his clothes called “Boubou.” Then my loyal friend and I fought with My grandfather showed his love he hung his clothes up on the tree. my classmates, and it was really for everybody. He cooked a lot for We each prepared our fishing rod upsetting. My friend was insulted us. He always smiled and talked and cast a line in the river. A few by my classmates; as a result, we with everybody. That’s how he minutes later my grandfather was were fighting in the class. I wished showed his love, and I hope for tired and I told him to take a rest I had not fought with my class- him to have a nice life. while I went on fishing. When he mates. In school my grades got was sleeping, if I felt that my fish- worse. I was nervous because I ing rod had caught one big fish, thought no one could help me, but My Mother and I cried out to call him because then my father noticed that and By Mohamed Sougue, 2A I couldn’t catch this fish alone. He helped guide me through all my came to help me with that. Then difficulties and resolve this prob- My mother is beautiful and the when we returned at home my fa- lem. After that, I always turned to most generous person that I know. ther wanted to beat me because he my father whenever I needed any She likes to cook traditional food always told me not to go in river. kind of advice about life. four days a week from 9am to For him the river was dangerous 12pm. She likes to share food. She To conclude, all people are in- for children. However, my grandfa- spired by someone, some from often cooks rice on Thursday and ther told him to leave me alone, so goes to the mosque to give some friends, others from teachers. As he saved me again.I really liked my for myself, I am inspired by my to the poor people in the front of grandfather and with him I felt the mosque. She goes to her village father. I know that he is always safe. He was my best friend and I ready to teach and inspire me. every year in August for two weeks will never forget him. to visit her parents. When some- Page 26 VOICES

My Great-Aunt taught me that the most important me. My dad made me realize that I By Juliana Cordoba, 6A thing in life is your family and that was wrong. I remember him telling There was a person who changed there are some strong relationships me, “You can sit there, and wait for my life completely. Her name was with certain members of your things to happen, and I promise you Lilia Medina. She was my great- family that will last for eternity. As I when I come back to check on you aunt. I cannot imagine what my said before, I don’t know what in 10 or 20 years, nothing will be life could have been without her would have become of me without changed, and you’ll still be sitting as my guide. Everyone in my her guidance. I am completely sure there." After that, I knew that I family was surprised by the close that I would not be what I am and needed to make a change in my life, relationship that my great-aunt that I would not have accomplished and I did, and ever since then and I had. The difference of age all the good things I have done in whenever I’ve wanted to do between us was 70 years. my life. My great-aunt was always something, I’ve gotten up and The relationship between my there in the moments when my worked for it. great-aunt and me started not by mom and I needed her most; she The only problem was I had some coincidence. It was my was the only one who gave us other bad habits that I needed to grandmother, who had a very sincere love and support. Even work on. I was impatient; when I close relationship with her sister, now, 5 years after her death, I can wanted something, it meant that I who brought my great-aunt into feel that she is still with me. She is had to have it right then, not a my life. I used to go to my great- still guiding me and making me a minute later. I just didn't like to wait. aunt’s house every Friday. I better person each day. When my My dad noticed that, and he kept would spend the whole weekend baby was born, I could feel her telling me that good things happen there. When I was on vacations, I there. I know that she is always to those wait. I liked the sound of stayed at her house the entire protecting me and the people I that. It took me a long time to time, from the first to the last love. change that habit, but thanks to my day. I was so happy staying there. What is more special about this dad I eventually did. Her house is symbolic for me; it relationship is that I remember her Another bad habit was that I used to symbolizes happiness, light and every single day of my life. If you give up easily. If I couldn't do peace. It is difficult to remember read this, you might think that I am something right, I just gave up and good moments in my childhood exaggerating, but it is true. You will let it go, but that didn't work out for in general, maybe because I did never forget and you will be me. So I turned to my dad for help. not have a lot of them or just eternally grateful to someone who He advised me to try harder, and to because I forced my mind to changed completely the route of be consistent, and to never give up. forget everything. In the few your life. For me it was like There was also this one thing he said images I have in my mind, my changing my life from a route full that really got through to me. He great-aunt is always there, giving of darkness to one full of lightness. said, "you can accomplish anything me good advice, giving me love you want, once you truly set your mind to it." And as always he was or just doing simple things that My Father for me were very significant. I right. learned from my great-aunt so By Omar Al-Hawas, 6A My dad also told me to never run many things that if I had to write As a kid growing up under my away from my problems. I thought if them I would never end, which is parent’s shadow, I’ve learned that I had a problem it was easier for me why I am going to refer just to a everyone has his own way of getting to ignore it than to face it, but I soon few of them. I learned from my through to someone. Everything I realized that was never the answer. great-aunt about her attitude know, and everything I am today, I My dad always said "A true man towards life, and the meaning of owe it to this man who has changed always faces his problems." being honest and just. I also my life completely. He was and still In the end, I will always be grateful learned from her that you have to is my mentor, my guide, and most and thankful to my dad. He has show yourself to everyone as you importantly my dad. taught me everything I know and are, with no masks, and that no The truth of the matter is I've never made me all that I am today. He has matter how many problems you liked to work hard for anything, I changed my life completely, if it have in your life, you are strong kind of just waited for everything to weren’t for him, my life would be a enough to manage them. She work its way out and happen for total mess by now. Page 27 VOICES

My Teacher on the positive side of every My Special English Teacher By Andrea Chacin, 6B situation, about hard work, about By Yuyang Liu, 6A friendship and love beyond social When people hear the word classes, about beating the odds Most Chinese people these days "teacher" they immediately think when it comes to succeeding in know what it is like to have an of someone highly educated in life and many other things. “English teacher ” since almost all some field, art or subject. They She came here with nothing but a pupils study English from the third would certainly not think of a great heart, high moral standards, year in school . Usually the very Colombian maid who cleans wisdom and a bright brain (she first English teacher for most of us houses for a living. Well, for me would've gone to college back in is always a young and kind lady in she was and continues to be a Colombia had her mother not primary school. But my first teacher. gotten so sick that Diana had to English teacher was none other Many people in my life have start providing for them). She has than my mother. When I was a influenced me in different aspects. now saved enough money to get little child, she created an English My parents were and are the her own house and car (in environment by talking with me in biggest influence in my life, but Venezuela maids don't make English, letting me listen to some the way I see it, it's their job to enough money to afford these English songs, and letting me teach me everything they can things) and is happily married and recognize the English words on the about life and luckily, they were has a baby boy, whom I'm proud pictures all around my room. That and continue to be amazing to be a godmother to. was really a good idea. It made me teachers (my academic learning is Everyday, with every piece of become interested in English. something else and of course, I advice she gives me, every When my English had a little attribute that to my school comforting word she says, I learn progress, my mother let me teachers). But not everybody gets a little more about how great life remember some more English lucky enough to find people who really is. Just by coming to work words from an English weekly or aren't related to them who would every day and by telling me the dictionary. Just imagine, I started to take the time and the concern to situations she has to deal with remember some words gradually teach them positive things. every day in her neighborhood and was able to express myself When my home's current cleaning (situations that I most likely won't more and more in English. Mother lady, Diana, first came to work have to deal with in my whole liked to have me recite, dictate and with us, I was 10 years old and life), and still being happy for finally write the words from thinking to myself "Well here's everything good in her life, she memory. When I made any another cleaning lady who will teaches me about determination mistakes, she would have me write probably not be nice with my to do the best she can in every the wrong words about 40 times. I sister and me." I didn't have much situation, about optimism, and could not understand how a hope because my mom is very about everything I can accomplish mother could be so strict with her strict about the way our house having those two in my mind. little son, but the English word did should be managed and cleaned. Every time she smiles for me, and stay in my memory from then on. What I didn't know was what a every time she helps me make my Time flies. I eventually came to special person had come to my life easier by giving me advice, she love English. My mother has parents', my sister's and my life. teaches me that we're all the same, always been there helping me as Diana may come from a poor that I should never underestimate much as possible . I am sure that family and neighborhood, but her anybody and that I need to my English would never have soul and heart are rich in love, appreciate anybody who loves me come so far without her support, optimism and good. She has beyond race, relation and social and that’s why I believe my mother managed to stay with us for class. And of course, for this and is not only my English teacher but almost 9 years now and has for so many other things, I try to also my life-long teacher. She is the earned a big spot in my family's give back to her everything she one who awoke my interest, who and my own hearts. She's our has given me in these 9 years she's gave me confidence and who house-keeper, our nanny and our been in my life. offered me much-needed help. friend. And to me, she’s a teacher. She, my mother, really is my good She has taught me about looking teacher. Page 28 VOICES

HOLIDAYS

Holidays in Kazakhstan but it’s a good excuse for having to shop for additional items: By Vladimir Kartashov, 4D some good mood and some candles, incense, lamps, candies, partying with friends. cakes, fruits, coffee, tea, gifts, When sitting in class at the With May coming, there is meat, seafood, and vegetables. university or working at a job, They have to buy as many things every one of us dreams about another holiday, Victory Day. We celebrate this holiday on May as possible and put them into the holidays. Do you know in which refrigerator because all markets country there are the most 9. This is a very big holiday in all ex-Soviet countries. On that day commonly close at least five days holidays, more than in the after the New Year Eve; as a others? I don’t know exactly, but we watch military parades and think about the people who died result, they can have enough I can tell you about Kazakhstan’s materials to cook and have holidays. during the Second World War. Besides those holidays I have parties. Beside that, people can In Kazakhstan, we have a lot of pointed out above, the people in shop for new clothes to wear in different holidays, big or small, Kazakhstan also have many the New Year days to get luck. funny or not. For example, the other holidays such as Until everything is ready, people greatest holiday in the winter is Independence Day and some wake up at 5 am, dress up Happy New Year. We begin to Muslim or Christian holidays. So informally, and go to the church celebrate it on December 28, and maybe in each month we can or temple. Then, they go back this party time ends on January 5. celebrate something. home to celebrate the family You might say that it’s too much reunion. Traditionally, members for only one holiday, I but don’t Some countries may have more of the family greet each other by think so. In Russia, for example, holidays and some countries may saying "Happy New Year in people celebrate Happy New have fewer holidays, but every Vietnamese” and giving small Year until the 10th or even the country must have some holidays money envelops to each other. 14th of January. So it’s a good and this is good because Afterward, other activities like time for vacation and for everybody has to have time for gambling are played and have to revitalizing your life energy. After relaxation and rest from their be held at home: people believe celebrating this holiday, the work. that staying at home on the first people of Kazakhstan begin to day of New Year will bring the think about other holidays in the New Year in Vietnam good luck; otherwise, they can spring. get many troubles by themselves By Dung (Johnny) Nguyen, or annoy others. In the coming In the middle of April we have a 2C spring holiday called Nauryz. days, people are allowed to get This is the holiday to celebrate At the beginning of February out of house to visit their the beginning of spring. As this annually, Vietnamese become relatives, teachers, and friends. holiday lasts for about three days, busy and excited to welcome the Also, they can plan short trips or we have a lot of time for parties. New Year. The New Year travel tours to get far away the After Nauryz, on March 8, we holiday falls in February because crowd of the urban area. People have another holiday, which is we use the lunar calendar. In who work for the government the International Women’s Day. these days, people try to get out can enjoy the New Year for This holiday is a big holiday and of the workplace as soon as about 6 days. In contrast, it could usually lasts for three or four possible in order to clean up be less than that for other days, depending on which day of their house. Housework is done people. Therefore, people the week it falls on. While by fixing broken places, become rushed and motivated to enjoying March 8, we will already repainting walls and doors, do everything in the holy day be looking forward to April 1 replacing the old furniture, and after a chain of stressful days last when we will celebrate the Day of decorating flowers around the year. Laugh. It’s not an official holiday, house. In addition, people start Page 29 VOICES

New Year luck. For example they wish each Christmas in Burkina Faso By Wan Ling (Gina) Lai, 2C other a long life, good luck for By Stephane Djindere, 2C business or job, and many In my country Burkina-Faso, we New Year is a special holiday in children for the future. Then the always celebrate Christmas Day. Taiwan. It is important for women cook many different kinds It's on December 25. Christmas people because everybody of food, for example sheep, beef, is the Christians’ special day in comes back to their city and chicken and rice with soup; my country. On this day, all meets their family and cleans people serve themselves. In the people don't work because a the house together. At night on evening, everybody dresses in the large majority of people in New Year’s Eve the family eats '' Basin,’’ which is traditional Burkina-Faso are Christians. dinner together, and old people clothing in my country. '' Basin'' is In fact, people in my country give red bags to children or very common for young and old usually like to make lunch with young people. Everybody buys people. The symbol of basin is all their family in their house new clothes before New Year, greatness. We often celebrate and they often go to visit and they cook a lot of food. Ramadan in September. On this friends or parents on this Everybody wakes up early in the day my family takes some pictures special day. The lunch is usually New Year morning because we and listens to music. After all that made in the older brother’s visit friend and family who give we sit and talk for a long time. My house, where each gifts. The children have more mother gives us some advice and brother’s wife and some young red bags when old people give she gives some food to the daughters cook together for this them. homeless. Sometimes I like to visit special event. They usually cook At New Year we usually have a my friends. I send post cards to all African food such as meat, fish, week of free time. More people my friends. I often go to help my paste of yam and corn flour, play outside but some people older sister to cook, because she plantains, potatoes, and so don’t go outside because there lives alone with her husband. I on. They usually talk together, are a lot of people, so they just like Ramadan because I have while they are putting some relax at home. many memories every year. drinks in the cooler. Children Children have a lot of money this play and joke. At the New Year’s Eve family day because old people give it to Christmas day is a beautiful day. dinner, we need to eat fish and them. They go to buy ice cream Everybody is very happy on this sweet cakes because it means we and many things in the street. In day, because for us Christians, don’t finish the year and we do my country everybody celebrates Christmas is Jesus can do anything so easily. So Ramadan. Even though Ramadan Christ’s birthday. On Christmas New Year is a special holiday in is a Muslim Holiday, Christians day, I always go to the church Taiwan and China. celebrate too. with my family. At noon, we usually start to eat. I like this Ramadan in Mali moment because we often talk and joke. At night, the young Nene Coulibaly, 2B people sometimes go to parties. In my country Mali, many In conclusion, I like Christmas people celebrate Ramadan every day very much, because it's a year. Ramadan is a special day day for people all around the for my family. This day world to show their love and everybody dresses up nicely. their humanism. Early in the morning from 9 a.m. to 10a.m. men, women and children go to the mosque. But many women stay at home. After that when they come back home they visit the neighbors and friends to wish them good Nene’s sister wearing Basin Page 30 VOICES

HOLIDAYS (CONTINUED)

Chinese New Year and would only wake up on pot means “be together.” No By Hung-Yi Hsieh, Class 4E the last day of the year to matter where you work or hunt for humans. A lot of where you are living, on the Chinese New Year is the most people had been eaten by last day of the year, you important holiday in my the monster and no one was must go back to your par- country. Every year, when strong enough to kill it. ents’ house to meet your Chinese New Year comes Luckily, some people unex- family and relatives and to- round, everyone prepares for pectedly discovered that the gether have a dinner or hot it. During Chinese New Year, monster was afraid of noise pot. After the hot pot dinner, we have a lot of interesting and whenever it heard noise, the adults in the family cultural and historical tradi- it would run away. Because would give money in red tions. I will introduce some of at that time the only noise envelopes to the children. these customs to you. that was loud enough to This money is called lucky The first custom related to frighten away the monster money. the New Year is that on the was the noise made by fire- Chinese New Year means a Eve of the New Year, the crackers, people started to lot to the Chinese people. Chinese always have fire- use firecrackers and also Although I am in America crackers and a fireworks dis- fireworks to drive away the now, I still love this holiday. play that lasts until midnight. monster. This tradition of I think the customs and leg- The reason for this could be setting off firecrackers and ends surrounding Chinese found in an old story. A long fireworks has remained until New Year are interesting, time ago, there was a monster the present day. The second and I hope that everybody which liked to eat human tradition that is also related around the world will like flesh. This monster would to New Year’s Eve is the hot Chinese New Year, too. sleep during the whole year pot tradition. In Chinese, hot Page 31 VOICES Page 32 VOICES

DAVE’S PAGE

NOTES FROM THE cultures. Thanks to everyone Sangare, Lionel Mabounda, STUDENT ADVISOR for helping make the Culture Augustin Malpica, Ahmed Traore, Festival a big success. Asamy Kabore, Nazirou Sani, and By Dave Burns Roberto Paulin. As this is being written, we are STUDENT ACTIVITIES getting ready for our final filed IMMIGRATION New students from summer and trip of the term. We are planning to go to Six Flags Students in F-1 status need to continuing students from spring make sure they maintain their went on the first trip of the Fiesta Texas in San Antonio! This will be our first time to immigration status. If you are semester during registration week. planning to take a vacation during The Rothko Chapel and the Menil Fiesta Texas and it will be a great trip. There are many rides the break, see Dave Burns or Sam Collection, an interesting art Long first. If you are travelling museum, were the first stop. Next and attractions including shows and swimming. I’m sure some outside of the U.S., you will need we went to the Galleria, where to either have your current I-20 students and teachers shopped students will want to escape from the heat with fun in the signed on the back or get a new and had lunch. The trip ended one. with the Waterwall and then home water. This is a day when we to UH. can relax with classmates and If you are planning on transferring teachers and just have a good to a new school for fall semester The next event was the LCC class time. or on taking a fall vacation, please photo and sports tournament. The day after the trip, the see Dave or Sam to make sure Everyone had a good time playing you are following the immigration table tennis, billiards, and bowling. summer term comes to an end with the graduation ceremony rules. If you have any doubts or Winners in the games were as questions about immigration, be follows: Bowling: 1st–Augustin and a reception. We wish good luck to those students who will sure and ask. It is very important Malpica; 2nd – Linh Pham; and that you maintain you F-1 status. 3d –Teruhiko Toda; Billiards: be leaving us. For those who will be returning, start planning It is very difficult to get your 1st –Hung-Yi (Eason) Hsieh; and student status back if you lose it. 2nd – Rachid Mohamed Sow; for the fall and for welcoming Table Tennis: 1st– Hsu-Wan the new students who will be THE LCC STUDENT (Peter) Kao ; and 2nd – Yen- joining us. COUNSELOR’S OFFICE: Kuang (Mark) Chuang. LCC SOCCER TEAM WINS The student counselor’s office is At mid-term we welcomed new CHAMPIONSHIP! here to help you with your students who registered for the The LCC Eagles represented us problems, to help you find summer II session. It was good to very well in the UH Intramural information you need, and to have these students join us in our Soccer Tournament. In fact, advise you about your concerns, program. they won the tournament! The ranging from immigration to academic to personal. The next event was the LCC final game was very exciting. Culture Festival where we got to The score was tied with only In addition to Dave Burns, there share each other's cultures as we seconds remaining on the clock is Sam Long who is also a student tasted dishes from around the when the Eagles made a goal to at UH. world prepared by our own win the game. We are very students and staff. We had so proud of them. The team was Come see us if you have a question, need information or advice, or just much good food. Students looked lead by Roberto Paulin who want to talk! wonderful in traditional clothing works in the LCC office and is a from their countries. We also UH student. The team enjoyed dancing from different members are Bruno Togo, Aboubacar Traore, Mohamed Page 33 VOICES Page 34 VOICES

This summer LCC students studying in level six had the opportunity to participate in the pro- duction of the Voices newsletter. The following students participated:

Content Editors: Bruno Togo, Trinh (Tricia) Thai, Barbara Kenmognie, Ngan (Emi) Nguyen Grammar/Language Editors: Reem Alduwaisi and Andrea Chacin Photography and Photo Editing: Natalia Sarmiento, Xiobo Wang, Barry Woo, Hieu Truong, Linh Pham Page Layout and Design: Alimzhan Shalbayev, Jiang (Michael) Hao, Yen-Kuang (Mark) Chuang, Jacqueline Noh, Alba Perez Cover Design by Jacqueline Noh

The Voices Production Team would like to thank all those who contributed articles and pho- tographs. Thanks especially to Sandra Carrettin-Mulvany, Thong Dang, Douglas Jones, Carole Franklin, Velva Fallin, Susan Wilson, Sam Long, and Xu (Vicky) Jie.

THE VOICES PRODUCTION TEAM HARD AT WORK Voices Editors: Geneva Adams and Brad Powell Language and Culture Center University of Houston 116 Roy Cullen Building Houston, TX 77204-3014

Phone: 713-743-3030 Fax: 713-743-3029 Email: [email protected] On the web at http://lcc.uh.edu