Black Hawk COLLEGE

ESL NEWSLETTER A publication from Fall Semester 2007 English as a Second Language Students

Students’ View of the ESL at BHC part of the world have enrolled since the By Ekue Ayika program’s inception in 1991. The beginning There is a story of soldier who joined and the continuation of this program have the Allied army. On the battlefield, there not been easy for the program’s builders, wasn’t any possibility of the soldier the instructors, and the students. This essay expressing his thoughts is an insight into the ESL program, telling of because he couldn’t its impact on my life, emphasizing the understand any of the advantages of such a curriculum. It is also languages that were spoken, the opportunity for students to express their and nobody could understand concerns about what they think could be his language. Unable to share his fear of improved. death, his desire to see his family, his need In reality, the ESL program has gone to talk to someone about all that he left through a number of changes, mostly to behind and loved, he began to decline keep the program updated. “We always mentally. When his situation got worse, and want to make it modern so that students can his case was reported, he was finally face the common challenges,” declared removed from the battlefield. A linguist Anne Bollati, Program Coordinator. She eventually found someone who spoke the continued saying that “Moving into soldier’s language. It was the end of his classes online has been one of the trouble because he had someone whom he numerous changes we could speak to, and who could listen and have had to make.” It understand him. is important to This story shows the importance that understand that these communication has in our life. All changes have been immigrants are somehow similarly “sick.” made in response to We are sick of not being able to the staffs’, instructors’, and students’ communicate accurately. To “cure” these proposals. immigrants, Black Hawk Therefore, the latest change in the College offers the English number of days the classes meet—two days as a Second Language with one online component instead of the (ESL) program to previous system of four days with one everyone who wants to online—is a response to students who start learning, or to thought that switching to the new system continue improving their would give them more time to study since English. Hundreds of many of them are working full time. There students coming from every are many difficulties that any change brings. While students have the right to express common to hear from ESL students that the their opinion by making suggestions, program takes too long to be completed. instructors have the responsibility to offer, a Anne Bollati was clear, “We have the program and a system of class attendance minimum number of classes,” she that meet with their objectives. This underlined. It is clear that there is no way to dilemma has made the decision for change reduce the program. She went further, difficult, particularly about the recent change declaring, “Our job is to prepare students for of the system from four days. “I had resisted academic programs in American colleges for two years before I decided to experiment and universities, which require a very good the two day system,” said Anne Bollati, who level of English, not ordinary English.” Being took the time to analyze the effects of the accurately prepared to enter a university is eventual change. very important, and the language is one of The question is to know whether the the most important new system will survive. The ball’s in the conditions for students’ court. We asked for something success, no that was given to us. Keeping the system matter what depends on our reactions to it. How well we the student will do during the semester is major will be. very important for the The eight classes of the continuation of the new ESL program, intermediate and advanced system. Anne Bollati said, grammar, writing, reading, and oral skills “If this change helps good are intended to meet this desire to prepare students be better, we will the students thoroughly. “Once the students keep it.” Her reticence is complete the ESL program, we don’t want justified; teachers are still reporting them to come back because of insufficient absences and assignments not completed, English, but we do want them to come back which are not good signs. Missing a class and tell us how the program helped them day in the new system is the equivalence of achieve their goals,” said Anne Bollati in two days, which is difficult to catch up. “We response to the students who want the will try the new system one more semester,” program to be shortened. No matter which said the ESL Coordinator. It will be the system is considered, learning English at semester when the reported problems have BHC is memorable to me to be corrected on both sides, students’ and Learning English is as vital for me as instructors’. This change is for some breathing. When I was in high student’s a good action. My Oahn Wilson school in Togo, I liked English said, “I have more time for my assignments because of how it sounded to even though it means more homework; I me. Even though I attended all also save the time that it takes to come to of my English classes, my school every day.” Dulce Fourneau, another knowledge of the language was rather thin. student said, “This new schedule is good Coming to America reawakened the desire because it gives me the opportunity to take to master English. Fortunately, soon after another class and to organize myself.” For my arrival, I was able to enroll in the BHC me, the new schedule helps me deal with ESL level 5. There I found highly motivated my fatigue after work. I would probably drop and caring teachers who are helping in one of the two classes that I am taking if we “curing” immigrants. were in the former system. I save one I did not imagine the magnitude of all semester with this change.” that I have had to do so far. Patience and “I am for improving changes, but one hard work have been my weapons in change the program educators won’t fighting during this war of vocabulary, consider is the reduction of the number of reading writing, and speaking. Even though ESL classes,” said Anne Bollati. It is going through the ESL program has not been easy, it is not intended to discourage student said: “The ESL program opens the students from learning. “Learning a ways for success.” Besides, Herve, a friend language is a difficult enterprise,” said Anne from Togo said, “It was all about reading Bollati. The variety of topics and sessions, and writing,” regarding how what he had the relation between them, and the learned helped him pass a test for a job. For commitment of teachers and tutors involved me, the program is making me more and in the ESL program make the curriculum more confident. Before I started this ever interesting, for I have never thought program, I only thought that my writing was that learning could be so much fun. Exactly acceptable. Today, even though I as expected, each day in class brings a plus still have to learn, I have made to my English, and much more. tremendous progress in The ESL program is more than just reading, writing and speaking. an English program. Enrolling in this Students’ reaction of the ESL is not only the program has been an opportunity for benefits of the program. It is also their students to travel around the world without request for changes or for improvement. being out of the United States, since we “Language is the blood of the soul have met with many students from different into which thoughts run and out of which nations. A typical ESL class is the gathering they grow,” said Oliver Wendell of at least five different nations, and no trip Holmes. The BHC ESL program of that scope would be as cheap as this responds to the function of fictive voyage, which has been for me the language described in this greatest opportunity to interact with people passage. This important function with broad cultural diversity. Ekoua, an ESL requires that we give all that we student declared, “Classes are like the have, to have all that we need in meeting of ministers from different nations, order to grow. discussing the socio-cultural issues of their countries.” Also, the program covers many aspects of knowledge. How My Life Has Changed Every student sees himself fit By Reine Kouete in the program. Particularly, In 2004 I won the DV Lottery, students who had already had Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which some college in their country before coming “Every year makes 50,000 permanent visas to America tell us how good the available to people from countries with low multidisciplinary aspects of the ESL classes rates of immigration to the United States”(*). are. “We all see ourselves fit in the program When I first received the American of discussion,” said a former sociology government letter, I could not figure out major when one of our discussion topics what it was. I showed the winning was about the “Crowd Behavior.” For me, notification letter to Kossiwavi, a mentor at a this straightforward relation between secondary school who was my neighbor. I learning English and discussing a broad showed her this paper because her older range of disciplines is one of the talents of brother, Emile, had won this the program creators. We are not only being lottery two years ago, so trained to speak English, we are being she knew a little about it. prepared to handle discussions in the She felt so proud of me, and society, and to give our opinion on a subject she helped through the regardless the topic. Many students don’t process. After six months, even finish ESL classes before they feel the everything was done; I got my impact of this program on their life. Immigration Visa for the U.S.A., and I made Students’ effort in the program is a reservation at American Airlines for paying off. Christian Abaya, a former ESL Thursday, June 23rd, 2004, which marked sent me to school at six years old. My father the beginning of my new life. repeatedly told me, “Reine, I sent you to That day of June was my first time to school to become a nurse.” This goal ran travel by airplane. I was excited, but I felt way when I gave up learning; however, worried and afraid. When I America lets me chase after and reset it. It lived in Lome, the capital of looked like I lost my treasure, and Togo, I could see and hear unexpectedly someone found it and brought airplanes pass. I had it to me. America not only lets me dream of dreamed about flying, but I a good professional career, but it has also did not know why and fulfilled my desire to be a mother. when this could happen. Now, came the Several years ago, I felt unhappy day; I was waiting to take an airplane at because I miscarried two Kotoka Airport in Accra (Ghana) to Moline times. I was disappointed (US) via Amsterdam (the Netherlands). because my doctor did not When I was in the airplane, I was so scared find out what was the about being in an unknown universe where problem. I tried several only clouds, sun light and darkness times to get pregnant intertwined. Agnes, a lady I met in the again, but nothing plane, helped me with everything such as happened; my hope for ordering food and playing games, videos having children was gone. and music. After a long trip, I landed in All my friends had children except me. My Moline, the new land where I settled. Since I culture values children, so a woman who came to Moline, several changes have has no children is not respected. occurred in my life, and these give me hope Fortunately, a year ago I gave birth to my for a better future. daughter who I named Eunice-Joy. Her birth The most important change I was hard; indeed, she was born by experienced when I cesarean section. This birth was possible immigrated to the U.S. was due the advanced technology and good “returning back to school.” service available in the U.S. at Illini Genesis When I was in my country, Hospital. I think I could have had at least Togo, I quit school without completing high one child before I came to the United States school. I abandoned education, not because if hospitals in my country were as well I was not interested, but because I was equipped. Today, I live with a peaceful heart discouraged by the increasing rate of because I am a mother. unemployment and the increase in school Besides the above changes, my life fees. My case is similar to most of the is improved in terms of Mexican students as revealed by my physical work. In my classmate, Mariá León who said, “A lot of country, I used to them are interested, but they have to stop wake up early, sweep because they cannot continue paying for the floor and seek school.” The U.S. offers people a lot of water at the public opportunities to keep studying. In fall 2004, fountain. Everyday I had to four months after I arrived in the U.S., I went go shopping before I made dinner or lunch back to school, a thing I had never thought because I did not have a refrigerator to could happen again in my life. I began at conserve perishable goods like I do here in Level 4 at the Outreach Center after I took the U.S. I cooked my food on a “special an admission test. Today I feel satisfied kiln” using firewood or charcoal, which is because I am progressing in school, and rare and expensive due to deforestation. It also I can express my feelings and opinions was hard and took me three to four hours to using English. School gives me hope to make lunch for my friend and myself. On reach the goal my parents set up when they weekends, I washed my clothes with my hands because there was no washing worker. She looked at me so weird because machine. My life was hard with household I was speaking Spanish to my mom; after a chores. In contrast, in the U.S., things are few minutes, she asked me if the birth easier to handle. Indeed, electricity replaces certificate was fake. I couldn’t believe what human strength. I use a vacuum, washing she was saying. Maybe she thought that I machine and dryer, stove, oven, microwave was using someone else’s certificate or etc…All those tools save me time and make probably she assumed that I wasn’t my life easier. American because when I spoke, I had an In addition, economic changes have accent and my appearance is not like the occurred in my life since I moved to the typical American. We as people with a country of Uncle Sam. different cultural background, who were For instance, I was a born in the United States, deserve street vendor who more respect from other sold all kinds of things Americans because some of such as shoes, leggings them do not understand that and bags. Even though I even though we are not went to market everyday, I white, we are still could not survive adequately because my citizens. income was too low. Moreover, I enjoyed no Many Americans think comfort at the market. My stall used to be of people like me as foreigners too crowded, and sometimes, other vendors because of our appearance. They liked to gossip about me. Fortunately, all think everyone that has dark hair, dark eyes the above negatives belong to the past. and names that are not typical American are Today, I work a full-time job, and I make foreigners. Instead of thinking that we are good money. My income has increased Americans too, they ask rude questions significantly; it is five times higher than what about our origin and how we got to this it was three years ago. As a result, not only country. For example, Luis Salazar, an can I afford my expenses, but I can also eighteen-year-old, Mexican-American was help my parents and pay my three younger asked if he had to cross the river. Some brothers’ tuition fees. people may tell us not to speak Spanish. Immigration to the U.S. has given But there is another problem, people my life new directions; my immigration is a stereotype or judge. Sometimes I think that synonym for positive changes and dreams way we look affects us in so many ways; for for a good life. example, when we want to get a job in a certain place, our appearance would not (*) Website: http://travel.state.gov./visa help us a lot. Also, there are some occasions that people think wrong or have a stereotype of certain group of people; one example is Hollywood, because the roles that immigrants have in the movies are just like the

Mexican? American? Who am I? smuggler or the service By Mariá León person, but why doesn’t Last year I was planning to go to Hollywood show the good Mexico to visit my family before I started side of immigrants. Also, one day I heard a school. Because I was born in this country, I person saying that all Mexicans were lazy. had to have a passport, so I could go to Don’t people think that they offend my Mexico. I decided to go to the post office family and me? and apply for a passport. When I got there, I For a lot of people it is so showed my birth certificate to the postal complicated to understand descendents of immigrants because they do not understand that we live in two worlds, two nations and “Dulce, come over her; I’d like you to meet we have two cultures that we love and Tracy.” Tracy said, “Hi, you’re so pretty.” I respect. For example, people do not think did not understand what she said even that I like to eat American food, but I do; though I had been taking English classes in also I love to eat Mexican food at home, at Mexico. I answered, “Hi, nice to meet you. I school or work. I speak English at home and am Dulce.” Spanglish with my friends. I also like to I know that sounds funny now, but at celebrate the 4th of July and September 15th that moment my response was (Mexican Independence Day). Probably embarrassing. My ex-husband said bye to they would understand more if they were in his mother and to Tracy, too. He took my my situation. hand and then he told me in Spanish, Probably people do “We’ve got to go.” I knew that I had done not comprehend us because something wrong. I asked him they are not in our situation, what the problem was, and he but if they were more told me that I only had to informed about the topic, answer “thank you,” not then they would not assume give my name. After that that we are immigrants. Probably if we, the embarrassing moment, I “different” people show to America the way decided that I would have to we live our lives instead of just keeping it for take English classes if I did not ourselves then, more people would want to have another problem understand the way we feel. like that. Another problem that I had to confront was that I did not how to drive a car. In my country, I was not worried about it Struggling with Life in the U.S because there are many buses, and they By Dulce Fourneau are cheaper and easier than in the U.S. In When I was nine years old, I had to my country, some people drive without a take English classes. I didn’t pay attention driver’s license. It is not a big deal, but in to them because I never thought that I the United States, it is different. Everybody would need to learn English; however, my has to have a driver’s license if he or she grandmother told me that I had to learn wants to drive. Also driving is almost a basic English because maybe someday, I would necessity in this country, especially because use it in my job or in the my career, and of the weather. After I got my green card, I that was the truth. When I started college in applied to the TEAM, and employment Mexico, I was required to take a TOFEL test office, but the problem was that I was living and an English proficiency’s test. After six in Muscatine. My ex-husband had to work, months, I found myself getting so he could not give me a ride. That was married and moving to very frustrating because I had to find the U.S. Suddenly, I left somebody to drive me to my home after my school, my family, my work. friends, everything, and The first day that I started at work, started a new life in the my ex-husband left me at the factory and U.S told me that I would have to ask somebody My first problem was adapting to a for a ride, but everybody I saw just spoke new life where the people speak another English. I was afraid to ask someone a language. One week after I had arrived to question in English because I thought that the U.S, I went to Wal-Mart where my ex- they wouldn’t understand what I said. The husband’s mother was working. She was good thing was that one Hispanic woman very excited to meet me with her co-worker. came to me and asked me if I had a I would never forget that day. She told me, question, so I told her that I did not have a problem understanding what I needed to do phone’s bill goes up, but I need to call them because another co-worker showed me how to feel better.” to do my job, but my problem was that I When I started to understand needed someone who lived in Muscatine to English better, I began to connect with give me a ride home. She asked an old people; this made me felt very proud of man, who was from El Salvador. He agreed myself. Working with Americans helped me to take me home. In fact, he drove me home to understand their culture and improve my for around four months. listening and speaking skills. Also, I got I was very frustrated because I did divorced, a couple of years ago, and now I not drive by myself even am engaged to an Anglo, who does not though we had a car for speak Spanish. This relationship has made me. I asked my ex- me feel more comfortable and confident husband if he could help when speaking English. Now, I have a baby me to learn to drive; he who was born here, and I am sure that this never did it. My co- is the best country to raise him. Also, worker who drove me home taught me in attending Black Hawk College has helped only one week. He let me drive his car when me to improve my English, and I hope that we went and back from work. Then one in a couple years I will be able to continue classmate in my English class in a church in my accounting career, which I Muscatine let me borrow her car to apply for started in my country. a driver’s license. The first time I did not To conclude, all pass the test for going over the speed limit, these struggles have but I came back three days later, and I helped me not to give up passed the test successfully. With this, I and to improve my proved to my ex-husband that if I focus on English to be part of this society. In my an objective, I can do it, even if there are opinion, people who immigrant to the U.S difficulties along the way. must learn English and try to be more Like many other immigrants, I also involved with American culture to make their became depressed even though we had a living in this country more comfortable. I beautiful apartment, good jobs and two hope that one day immigrants will seem like cars; I was not happy because I had no people that come to the U.S with a luggage close personal relationships. I missed my full of dreams to make a better life in this family, friends and my country. The first beautiful country and not seem like year for me in the US was difficult because I delinquents. did not feel happy with anything. For example, my ex-husband took me out for dinner to fancy restaurants like Olive Garden, Texas Road House and Biaggi’s, Bowing, Standing, Obeying: but all this time that we spent doing something fun wasn’t enough without my Respect in Vietnam family. I cried, was grouchy and lost a lot of By MyOanh Wilson Culture is the foundation of a weight. One of my country, and it is shows the values of that friends, Arminda, who country. Have you heard or do you know lives in Muscatine, feels about Vietnamese culture? How many similarly, to what I did. factors are related to culture? What are the She said, “I am very differences between the American culture depressed all the time and the Vietnamese culture? My mother because I miss my said that it doesn’t matter wherever we go, family, who live in we should show others our values through Acapulco, Mexico. I want to call them every our culture. Although we have been living in day. Now, my husband gets mad at me; the the US, we still keep our traditional culture. to answer. In contrast to the Vietnamese Knowing the contrast between the American classroom, my ESL instructor Lisa said, cultural values and the Vietnamese cultural “Communication between values helps Vietnamese a lot. teachers and students is The most important very important, and they Vietnamese value is respect. In can learn from each other.” Vietnam, people are For example, students very respectful from analyze a topic, and birth, and the there are different ideas younger people learn to coming from different students and from respect the elder people. For example, teacher’s ideas. Unlike the Vietnamese younger people cannot call the elderly students, the Americans students state their people by their first name. In contrast, I was ideas and share them in class. Teachers shocked when the first time my American and students are like ice cream and cake, husband called my mother by her name and they compliment each other. instead of saying “mom”, and later on I The Vietnamese children show knew that was because Americans think of respect for their parents by being obedient. respect differently from the Vietnamese. Parents always tell children what they People in the US just say “hi”, “or “hello” to should do and what they should not do. The other people, but in my country, people say Vietnamese children do not have a lot “hello” and bow at the same time while they choices and freedom as the Americans. are talking to older people. In Children have to follow parents’ rules until addition, the Vietnamese they get married. Vietnamese children have always take off their shoes to obey the following rules such as getting when they come in to the back home before eleven at night, getting house. On the other hand, permission from parents before going out, according to the author of the and letting parents know when they get book American Ways,” back home. Some Vietnamese cannot Americans dislike being the subjects of choose the career that they like, and they open displays of respect- being bowed to, have to study what parents want them to do. being deferred to, being treated as though The Vietnamese respect for they could do no wrong or make no parents is based on unreasonable requests.” obedience. The younger Vietnamese people are The Americans not only respectful to elderly people, but value independence, but also they have respect for the teachers at the Vietnamese value school, and their reaction to the teachers is respect. The Vietnamese different from the reaction of American have kept this value students. For example, students cannot call because it is associated the teacher’s name, and they have to call with the Vietnamese “teacher” and follow with their first name. So traditional culture, which is foundation of our writing teacher would be Vietnam, and most Vietnamese are proud of called, “Teacher Karen.” their culture because it has existed more Because of being so than four thousand years. respectful, students in Vietnam never ask or say aaaaa anything during the class, aaa and it causes the atmosphere in aa the classroom to be very quiet. In addition, a whenever the teacher calls a student’s a name and asks, the student has to stand up house or cook my own food. That same semester, he took the Nursing Assistant

By Abide Bataba Program, and he didn’t have a good job. It A typical African husband doesn’t do wasn’t easy for us to get through that, but any chores in the house. we sat and worked things out. I could say His first responsibility is to that we were successful. My husband’s self- feed the whole home, and confidence made me feel confident, it is his job or his right to optimistic and gave me courage. work hard to get that Our daughter was born on April 07, point. The wife is 2006 and another big problem that came up expected to cook, to take and surprised us was my second pregnancy care of the children and to after six months. I will clean the house. never forget the second of However, although I am an African wife and October last year when I have African husband, my life is not the doctor said, typical. “Congratulations, you are When my husband and I first came two weeks pregnant.” We to this country, we started working at Tyson. pulled ourselves together It was a “hell” for me because of the and accepted the fact. demanding hard physical labor. When we Once again, my husband got home the second day, I cried. From his took all the responsibility. heart, my husband felt pity for me. He told This time it was harder. My husband woke me, “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.” I up every night to feed our daughter, Paola. couldn’t wash my clothes or get the dishes He woke up early to give her a bath and done. However, my husband could. He bring her to the babysitter. I worked hard to used to cook, do the dishes and clean the get my communication skills class done in house in addition to working hard at Tyson. I the appropriate way. The next semester I can say he used to do almost everything. took two classes, and he took four. He One day while my husband was cleaning washed Paola all the time and fed her. In the house, and I was talking to him, my short, he took very good care of her. I really friend, Lisa, came in and was surprised appreciate his courage to do what some about the situation. I could tell what African men will never do. she was thinking, but I failed to One day when he put inappropriate say it. Lisa never forgot that clothes on Paola, I was upset, and I said situation and kept telling something bad. A friend who was with me me to obey my husband said, “That is not fair. My husband would because he is one of never do the half of what your husband is those that every single doing. You had better watch your words.” I girl is looking for. will never forget that friend and what she Two whole years said. I could also say that she envied me, passed, and we decided to have a family. I but it wasn’t her intention. Her intention was found out that I was pregnant in September to help me work things out with my 2005, and my situation didn’t allow me to husband. work. My husband had never been the sole My second child supporter of the family, so it wasn’t easy for was born right after the him to work and pay all the bills by himself. I last spring semester on felt ashamed and weak at that time because May 19. I have a boy I could see women who were seven to nine named Kyle. This months pregnant that could work with semester my husband is courage and strength. I was home all the taking four classes, and time, but I still had no time to clean the I’m taking four as well. He cooks all the time for us and feels happy will check to see if they have any similarities to do it. For example, Monday to with each other. While meeting each other Wednesday, he washes both kids and the first time, they will find out where they brings then to the babysitter. He washes work. This will help them to their clothes all the time. I can see that he find a place near their enjoys doing it. I wish this kind of hero for work, so they can continue everybody, for every family. to meet. Most of the time, they will meet in a park. When they meet the second time, they will tell Arranged Marriages in Pakistan each other what they like By Mehwish Arshad to do and what they don’t. “The second mother of Pakistani During the second culture that fills churches, cities and heaven meeting, they will know if itself is marriage.” This means that the they are good for each Pakistanis celebrate marriage in grand other or not. style. Although the West believes in love If they think that they are great for marriages, today in Pakistan, arranged each other, they will tell their parents they marriages are still strong. The process of like that person. Their parent’s will meet arranging the marriage begins with how the again and set a date for their children’s couples are picked, and once selected how wedding. For example, my parents had an the marriage is arranged. arranged married. They used to live a block When males and females complete away from each other. My grandmothers their education, parents were the ones who thought that they would will start looking for their be perfect for each other because both of life partners. Parents will them were teachers. My dad was the go see a matchmaker, and principal where my mom was a teacher. My he or she will check the grandparents had a meeting, and they social class of the parents thought they will be great together. My and the personality of the parents found that out, and they had a child. After the special meeting with each other about three matchmaker finds the or four times. Since they both used to work perfect person, he or she at the same place, they would see each will call the parents. The other everyday. They told their parents that matchmaker arranges the they were compatible. They have been meeting of the two families. If the parents married from then to today; they are still like the match, they will tell their children. perfect for each other. In my parents’ case, After a few days, the young couple can the grandmothers made the match; meet each other with the parents’ approval. however, most of the time it is the father In a separate place, the parents will meet. In who will make the decision. this process, the girl’s parents will check to When the time comes to organize see if the young man can support his family. the wedding ceremony, the parents’ will They are not necessarily concerned with meet again, and they will pick the month social status, as long as the job he is doing and the date. A month before the wedding, is a good job that will not leave his family all the women in the family or friends gather hungry. together to celebrate in the traditional way. Now that you know the arrangement, One woman plays the “doollake,” a let’s talk about the young couple. The traditional drum, while the other sings. They couples will meet about two or three times will sing songs and dance everyday for one to see if they are made for each other. They month. Africa, and he said, “Without music, I don’t But if the couples say “no,” the know what to do.” Every circumstance has parents will tell the matchmaker that, their its own music, and he continued to say that child didn’t like that person. The he was attracted to music at the age of 18 matchmaker but to ragge in particular. His soul is will start touched by the words, melodies and looking for a rhythms. Most of the important events of my new person for life have a musical “hook” which once I hear the child again. it transports me back with clarity to the It takes a while. event. This is true for all my emotions. For When they find example, when I was involved in a motor someone, the vehicle accident, back in my country, there process was a song I was listening to before the repeats. The parents will meet each other. accident and the lyrics say, “Do not be The couple will meet with each other. If they afraid, I go before you always…………….. say “yes,” the wedding will be planned. If And I will give you rest.” The words they say “no” again, the parents will ask the in the song affected me so much matchmaker to find another person for their because I believe God is before child. me always and the song reminds Pakistani young people still accept me of the accident and how I the tradition of arranged marriage. They are survived wherever I hear the eager to go through the traditional process. I song. like how they respect I can’t imagine a life the culture. Because without a music helping me to carry on of that, the arranged my daily activities. For example, every marriages are still morning I dance to a tune strong and rarely fall in a gym and put on apart. I can’t wait until headphones if I decide to the day I get married. walk. All these keep me invigorated every day. It ááááááááá also serves as early morning cup of coffee

taken on an empty The Role of Music in Our Lives stomach causing the day’s By Alban Egejuru activities to zoom off. I asked Samir Have you ever been touched by Badmgul, a classmate from Afghanistan, music before? Or does music move and he said, “Music has no barriers you? How does it move you because it is like a wind that blows where it and why? I cannot will.” He loves rap music more than other begin to answer the kinds of music. question of what role Music has helped me mentally to music should play in a make the best of my surroundings because person’s life; I can only it always makes me feel strong. For speak for how it can example, there are many types of music like affect me emotionally, opera, country, and rock and roll and so on, physically and mentally. but ragge is the one that lifts me more in a Music, speaking personally, is special way for me to feel comfortable in my probably one of the most important surrounding. When I play “Bob Marley and emotional supports that I have, and it is also Wailers: every thing gona be alright,” then I a kind of memoir of my life. I asked my remind myself that the song is about classmate Koffi Eklou, from Togo,West patience and determination. When I was in the fourth school diploma. There are many underage grade, my elder sister taught me kids who are working in Uzbek stores, car how to sing; she still belongs to a washes and black markets.. Working in choir. I was always excited illegal jobs in Uzbekistan would have been whenever she taught me a new risky for me because if I got caught, there song and through that period, I was a chance that I could go to prison for was challenged with the ideas of weeks, or I could be forced to pay a fine. notation, clef and rhythm. In addition, I had a hard time finding Finally, there many different types of a job in the U.S.. The reason is because I music which I enjoy. Most of my life is couldn’t speak English. For example, my based on music because it affects me more friend Ahmad and I once than activities. Therefore, the role of music applied at a fast-food cannot be overestimated in the way it restaurant. He got hired, but I affects me emotionally, physically and didn’t. I asked the fast-food mentally. manager, “Why didn’t I get hired?” The manager told me, “It’s because your English isn’t good enough.” So later, I started working in a gas station as a stocker because I didn’t need to speak English. The gas station that I worked for helped me a lot with my English; I picked up new vocabulary words, slang and pronunciation. Then I thought about how the U.S. is different from Job Challenges That Uzbekistan in job opportunities. For Immigrants Face example, in Uzbekistan if I By Samir Badamgul didn’t speak Uzbek or the What do you think about finding jobs Russian language, I would never in the U.S.? Easy or Hard? Is there get a job; but in the U.S., one discrimination in the workplace? Do you can get a job in some think immigrants have a hard time obtaining factories even if he or jobs? These questions have been asked by she doesn’t speak approximately millions of immigrants in the much English. U.S., but everyone has his or her own The benefits of jobs in the U.S. are answers and opinions. In amazing compared to those in some other addition, many countries. Many jobs in the U.S. give health immigrants move to the insurance to people, so if they get hurt U.S. every single day during their daily work, the insurance will whether legally or cover it. Unlike the U.S., Mexico doesn’t illegally to look for jobs give health insurance or any medical that they were dreaming benefits. For example, I interviewed my about for years. Even though there are good friend and classmate Mariá León. She jobs in the U.S., many of them are difficult to prefers to call herself as “Irasu”. She told get if you are an immigrant. me that in Mexico, jobs are harder to get My name is Samir Badamgul; I came than in the U.S., and they don’t have health from Uzbekistan to the U.S. in 2003. I didn’t insurance. Also, you have to deal with your have any experience in legal or illegal jobs problems by yourself. She said, “In the U.S. in Uzbekistan because I was under age. In you can get overtime work where you get Uzbekistan, the legal age of employment is paid, but in Mexico you don’t get paid for 18 years or older, and if one wants to work overtime even if you work the whole day.” then, he or she is supposed to have a high Nowadays some American companies that are in Mexico such as John Deere are lack of language can’t get their old careers changing their laws and give benefits to back. their employees. Despite the difficulties of getting jobs There are many jobs in the U.S., but in the U.S., immigrants still have many the hiring for those jobs is sometimes unfair. opportunities for decent employment. I am Some immigrants are hired fairly. For really grateful and fortunate to live in U.S., example, many immigrants that came to the the land of opportunities. U.S. with their “Contract-Visa” are employed fairly. People like foreign doctors, engineers, and employees of private companies are being invited to the U.S. for work. The reason they have good jobs is because they only have to study for a few months and have a year of practice. The company then hires them full-time with benefits. Their background is respected. We notice foreign doctors or engineers at Trinity or John Deere because of their accents. However, some immigrants are exploited. For example, many of my classmates in ESL classes can’t get jobs By Kokou Logo that are like the ones they had in their Is there any paradise on Earth? As countries because of their language skills. we know, all over the world many people They were considered to be intelligent dream of persons in their countries, but in U.S. some spending all their people think, if the immigrants don’t speak lifetime in the English well, they are illiterate people. Some United States, the immigrants have bachelors degrees, country of masters degrees and Ph.D.s, but they can’t hospitality with all apply for jobs like they used to have in their its jobs and home country until their English is much school better. They also have to take exams or opportunities. Like honey, the United States, tests. For example, continues attracting Europeans, Asians, my dad, Akbar, was a Latin Americans, Africans and people from doctor in Afghanistan other nations in the quest for freedom, and Russia. He has happiness, and wealth. To reach this many credentials that imaginary paradise, numerous are the prove he was a people who sacrifice their fortunes, some, doctor in Afghanistan their lives while taking risks to enter United and Russia, but the U.S. authorities won’t States illegally. What can justify, or explain accept his diplomas until he learns English this attraction to the United States? The and takes special exams. Nowadays, my reasons are variable and multiple. The dad and my brother, Omar, are working in evidence is that most of these people Genesis laboratory as phlebotomists; there admire this powerful country in several are many immigrants that have higher domains: technology, education, faith in standards of education, but because of their success, politics, and economy. Did I escape from the stereotypes about the Other people’s opinions about the United States? US were also influenced by the television, When I was kid, my dream was to go press, and movies. In fact, Mariá León, a to the U.S. to become a Mexican ESL student declared, “As we rich and respectable know, so many Mexicans migrate to person in my native America every year seeking a better life, village, like my Aunt and that is because most of the people think Akouvi. She has been in that they can get much more money for less the U.S. for almost work. Also in Mexico if they meet a person twenty years. Now she is that lives in America, they would think that a billionaire. She built the person has so much money. Also, there seven big houses in Accra, the capital of is so much influence of the American Ghana, has many luxury cars, two African television in Mexico, like in the movies. stores in Columbus (Ohio), built a great Sometimes Hollywood presents the perfect church in our village, and has many other country, cities, and families, and I think that material goods. She was “an angel” when influences people to move to this country.” she returned to the village. She completed Not only are Africans interested in many charitable projects through the U.S. values, but they are also attracted sponsoring orphans, and presenting money by its numerous opportunities to become to people, and making other donations to easily rich through easy work. They expect poor people. I was impressed by her to gain a lot of money to support their positive behavior and positive thought about families who stay in Africa where many the U.S.; therefore, I swore to live in this people need assistance to survive. For this source of happiness and prosperity one reason, they invest a lot in visa fees to get day. to the U.S. Many other nations also view While growing up, my convictions America as continent of abundance. were strengthened by other stereotypes Therefore, it is by the millions that they about my “dreamed about” place. In Africa travel to the U.S., in some cases illegally. people assumed, that America is paradise America is on Earth. It was the only place a continent of where we could find the reference for other highest level of technology developed (computer development, the countries. I got a astronomy and NASA’s recent chance to spend exploits in space conquest, and two years studying the electronic revolution.) in France, and I Americans had the most can testify that most of the French university impressive political system with professors referred to many American its democracy and free speech. books, American professors, and American Television, radio and newsletters also economy and political theories. They took sprayed United States’ good perfume all many practical examples from America over the world. while presenting courses. In politics, too, The mass media confirmed my they ordinarily compare their social politics positive thought about the U.S. Television, to the American liberal and capitalist Hollywood films and movies, and other economy. Some politicians defend their publications presented the U.S. as the government programs by claiming their country where everything is possible. Even similarity to America’s in order to gain more if most of the films are fiction, in my native sympathizers. This is the case of the country, Togo, people always believe in present day French president, Nicolas what they watch and hear, and retain a Sarkozi, who won the last presidential positive image of the U.S. election. Many French students dream, too, of studying in the U.S. because they semiology, I thought I could have a good job consider the American education system as related to my qualifications. This was not the best in the world. Fred Alanzo, my the case. The only opportunity for me at this former classmate in the University Lyon 2 in moment is to cut meat at Tyson Foods Modern Literature, came to study computer Company where many of my compatriots engineering in Colorado University last year. already worked then Farmland Food where I Do people have only a good am working now. With humility, I forgot perspective about America? Certainly, they those stereotypes and considered my real do not. America has its detractors, too. In situation. I decided to study English via ESL communist classes simultaneously with pharmacy countries for technician courses in order to get a better example, job sooner. Thank God, I passed the American social national Pharmacy Technician Certification and economic this week, and hope to get another job politics, were soon. unwelcome. The United States is still a powerful MyOanh Wilson, an ESL student, who came country where freedom and prosperity are from Vietnam, gave her testimony, “As you overflowing. Here your dream can easily know, my country is communist. The become reality if you work hard and have government doesn't like America; however, faith in progress. Paradise or not, the United they couldn't claim that publicly because States is for me, a model country. they got a lot of benefits from America.” They think also that Americans are too selfish and egocentric. They never Marriage Ceremonies in appreciate American foreign politics. For Igboland, Nigeria instance, Maria Ferrell, an ESL student from By Eugenia Egejuru Mexico, said, “In my country there's a Marriage is deemed as the negative perspective in the way that Mexico continuation of the family line of owes big money to the U.S. but the U.S. descendants in Igboland culture. The first posses a very big part of the territory of and foremost consideration is fertility of the Mexico. What I mean is that if the U.S. couple. Parents long for this and the father posses a big part of Mexican territory, U.S. of the family requests this every morning in should give more opportunities to Mexican “oji” kolanut prayer. When asking an Igbo immigrants, but instead of that, nowadays man or woman why he or she wants to the U.S. treats undocumented immigrants marry, their response will be, “I want to like criminals.” Overall what is the real marry in order to get children like my image of America? parents.” The love for My first days’ stay was hard like a children is manifested in rock when I came to the U.S. on October Igbo names like Nwabu- 14, 2005. I figured out that my old uwa [a child is the entire perspectives had been exaggerated when I world to me] and was in Togo and France. The American life Nwakego [a child out- was not what I dreamed. I faced a great values all money]. problem related to English communication. Two years ago, Before, I had faith in the English I learned in my elder sister my home country, but celebrated her marriage despite my background in ceremony, which was very different from the this language, the American typical celebration in Igboland, Nigeria. accent was strange for me. Because they wanted to introduce The third hard reality is jobs. With a themselves to our family, her partner visited master’s degree in communication and our house accompanied by his father where his father introduced himself and his son. and make money for her family. Then, my They explained to my father why they were father filled a in his house. My father welcomed them and wooden cup, called my sister to come along. Then he “iko”, with palm asked her if she agreed with their proposals; wine and gave she answered, “Yes.” it to her while After the introduction, her “ime ego” her husband (bride price) settlement started with another found a place visit from her future husband, accompanied between their by his father and the elders to our house. guests and hid among them. She continued The following evening, they brought palm to search for him among their guests who wine and kola nuts, which were presented, told her to give the cup to him; she refused. to my father. We served them pounded yam A short time after, she found him; she knelt with vegetable soup, whiskey, palm wine down to show that she was respectful. She and beer while her bride price was sipped the wine and presented the rest to negotiated between my father and his in- him, which he drank. He gave her a kiss on laws. They paid a symbolic price on her and her cheek as they danced around. When later brought other small items like kola traditional music, “Osadebe” was on, their nuts, live goats, whiskey, palm wine, head- guests stood up, spread money, which was ties and precious beads. left on the floor while they were dancing on Usually, it takes more than one top of it to be picked up after they finished evening before a final bride price is settled; dancing. for instance, my father wanted to make sure In addition, after their traditional that everything was in order. We prepared a marriage ceremony, they went to a church delicious meal of rice with chicken and beer wedding with palm wine, which they drank and ate where she before they went home. The following wore a evening they came to our house and beautiful handed over one hundred thousand “Naira” wedding in Nigerian currency, which gown, silver was equivalent to one shoes, and a thousand dollars of United precious States money along with necklace. Her bride’s maids and groom’s kola nuts, live goats, palm men were in three groups with different wine, head-ties and beads matching gowns, which attracted many to my father, which he people. Some of them were surprised counted in front of them. about what was going on because this was Furthermore, after unlike traditional marriages where the the bride price was settled, couple has only one group of bride’s maids they planned for their traditional marriage and one group of groom's men. The whole ceremony, which we called “igba nkwu group entered inside the church where a nwanyi”. Her traditional marriage ceremony gospel chorus sang, “You are the one I am was celebrated in our compound where she waiting for.” She was received by her wore traditional attire: brocade, lace and husband at the altar for an exchange of beads. The couple were welcomed by their final vows with the priest’s blessing them. guests and also presented to their families. In conclusion, the marriage My sister went around to the guests, ceremony in my culture is Igboland, Nigeria, selling eggs contained on a big plate along is important because of the continuation of with candies, chewing gum, chewing sticks. the family line having children like their At the same time, she was interacting with parents. The ceremony must involve them, proving that she could open a shop parents, extended families and the villagers government officials and diplomats to wear in order to be successful. it along with the “sherwani” and “jinnah” cap when they are acting in their official capacity. For these reasons, it is described as the national dress of Pakistan. In addition to traditional clothing, Culture of Pakistan Pakistan has many celebrations. The By Sahrish Arshad famous celebrations in Pakistan are Eid ul- According to Daisaku Ikeda, a fitr and Eid ul-Adha. During these days, Pakistani writer, “People can only live fully there are national holidays and many by helping others to live. Cultures can only festivals and events take place to celebrate realize their further richness by honoring Eid. On the night before Eid, people search other traditions. And only for the new moon, so they can end by respecting natural life Ramdan. After that, they start with morning can humanity continue to prayer. The poor are given some money as exist.” Pakistan has a rich a form of charity and as gifts to young multilingual and children. For multicultural background. example, I go First of all, let me tell you a little bit shopping with my about Pakistan. Pakistan is right next to mom and my Indian and China. Our country is the size of cousin and my Texas. We have four provinces. The land grandmother before Eid. We cook a lot of is dry and flat although we have the second food at home. As for me, I remember I highest mountain in the world. always wore new clothes and got money Part of Pakistani culture is to show from my cousin on Eid. My friends and respect by wearing traditional clothes. For went to church together. Eid was my example, Muslim women wear a “burue,” a favorite holiday of the years. I remember long black dress to cover their face and their when I was a kid, I used to get money from body. Everyone, both Muslims and my relatives and my parents and later I went Christians, wear “Shalwar Kameez.” and bought things, which was so much fun. Salwars or Shalwars are loose pajama-like These were the good days of my life. Even trousers. The legs are wide at the top and though I am not Muslim, I , too, celebrate narrow at the bottom. The kameez is a long Eid. shirt or tunic. The side seams known as the About 80 percent of all Pakistanis “chaak” are left open below the waistline. are Muslims; 77% are Pakistanis wear shalwar kameez because Sunni Muslims and some they don’t want to show any skin except Shiite Muslims. Christians their face because it is against the tradition. are about 20 percent of Shalwar kameez comes in many different Pakistan’s population. styles, fabrics, and Muslims pray five times a colors and patterns day; they always wash that may make hands before going to their mosque. They them look really cover their body completely before going to stylish. In the mosque. The are very respectable Afghanistan and about their “religion book”. Pakistan, it is the Everyone speaks five different preferred garment languages, but the different languages are of both sexes. In based on the provinces, not the religion. Bangladesh and India, it is the most Urdu is the national language of Pakistan; commonly worn woman’s garment. The everyone speaks that. It is a mixture of Pakistani government has also requested Persian, Arabic and various local languages. It is similar to Hindi but written times, my teacher took my hands and in Arabic script. To sum up, Pakistan is the taught me how to write the letters of the tradition land of Muslims people and French alphabet. Then, step by step, I Christian people. In this multilingual and learned to write the 26 letters. I also multicultural country, we have respect for remember that one day in social studies, he each other and respect our elders. It’s land told us, “Don’t forget the three following of beauty, and its land of honor and words: “Hi,” “please,” and “thank you.” They tradition. will show your good manners anywhere you go.” From my childhood to my adulthood, I have never forgotten this social studies lesson. I use it again and again. Adjoin was a dedicated teacher whose work extended beyond the classroom. After explaining the lessons very well, my teacher gave us homework. He was also able to help the students by giving them more

explanations about Teachers: each lesson. Usually, Cure for the Darkness Adjoin continued his By Koffi A. Eklou teaching until the students went home. He One proverb in Togo is, “Fear kills even visited me when I missed class. He faster than a bullet, but ignorance is worse used to advise his students to study hard to than a bullet.” Fortunately knowledge is the better their future. perfect cure for “mental” darkness. Finally, I was able to write and speak Teaching is an occupation which can help French easily thanks to my first teacher, human beings learn and come out of Etienne. As a tribute to my first teacher, I ignorance. Last became a primary school teacher in my spring, I had to country, Togo, and worked in this profession answer my for 25 years. Before I came to US, one day, Listening and I was at the market in Lome. While I was Speaking shopping with my wife, somebody tapped teacher’s me on back. Suddenly, I turned and found question, who was my hero. My answer a face which was known to me. He stated, was, “My first teacher in elementary school “Teacher! Do you remember me? I am Komi is a hero.” In fact, according to Cambridge Adega and was one of your students in Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a “hero is a elementary school in 1980. Thank you, person who is admired for having done teacher! Thank you again, teacher! Thanks something very brave or having achieved to you, I became a something great.” doctor. I’m working at My first elementary school teacher, the hospital in Etienne Adjoin, played a vital role in my Aneho.” Surprised, development. What I learned and we were both very experienced during my early years would happy and kissed shape my views of myself and the world and each other in would affect my later success or failure in greeting. school, work, and my personal life. I learned Koffi Akakpo, a student in Reading I, basic skills in mathematics such as the said, “A Teacher plays a primordial role in numbers by counting short sticks. Many the life of human beings.” Miss Linda, one of my ESL teachers in Level 3 in 2005 at BHC Outreach Center is a good example of a teacher who can explain her lessons very Problem or Paradise well to her students. Sometimes she By Luisa Ferrel gestures to better explain her classes and Usually people think exercises to her students. This helped many that coming to work in the of us to continue in the ESL Program all the U.S. is paradise or it is the way to college. She also gave another best option economically, classmate and me some cassettes of but oh! The reality they find grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. is that this is a totally new These cassettes still help me to try to be an world. When immigrants excellent student in the arrive in U.S., the first years ESL Program. Again, are frustrating. All the daily life activities that thank you so much to were so easy in their country become my marvelous teacher. difficult in the U.S., so people feel like they Kossi are lost in a new world. Azombako, from Togo, First of all, finding a job is very said, “I have a lot of difficult if immigrants don’t have a working respect and permit. For example, my friend, Laura, who consideration for any is from Mexico, came on vacation with a teacher because of their value to students.” tourist visa, but once here, she decided to Ms. Anne Bollati and some of the other stay longer. She found many problems teachers at Black Hawk College, and tutors when she tried to find a job because she did such as Anne Ney, Elizabeth White, and not have a working permit and a social Christy Hultgren make their schedules so security number. As consequence of being that they can help any student who has an illegal immigrant, she could only accept a problems understanding their courses or very hard job with a low pay. doing their homework. Thanks to all of On the other hand, when legal them. immigrants find a job, they still find Sinomor Tej, a former English difficulties. Getting from place to place can teacher in a secondary school in Togo, be a very big problem when in their country stated, “It’s obvious that a country without it likely was very easy to move around any education system or because of the access to busses. In program for education is contrast, in the U.S., it is a nightmare if like an uncultivated piece people do not know how to drive. For of land. In fact, the most instance, Teresa, a thirty-two-year old efficient way of teaching woman from Nicaragua, who immigrated to consists of helping the the U.S. two years ago, does not know how learners understand the to drive a car. She needs to wait until her material they need to husband comes back from work to take her assimilate. The strategy that guarantees everywhere she needs. Also, she needs to quality is based on the means used to ask for a ride to go to work. These convey the message. Both teachers and problems give people a sense of impotency. learners have to practice what they share. I think that when immigrants first arrive, it is For the education to be successful, natural to have some troubles, but knowledge needs to go by steps and never as soon as immigrants can, by leaps.” A teacher is one who educates they should learn to and who disciplines, so I believe that a drive in the U.S. and teacher is a veritable cure for the “mental” to know the driving darkness in the society. laws in order to avoid tickets. In addition, banking seems not to be a big deal, but consider Lucy my classmate. Once she was shopping and writing the numbers on a check. When she was Ekue Ayika unable to write the number in English, she I am from Togo, West felt great shame. Therefore, she needed to Africa. I have been living depend on her husband every time that she in the United States for needed to write a check. two years with Delali, my Furthermore, communication is one wife, who gave birth to of the principal problems that immigrants our first daughter, can find as soon as they arrive in the U.S. Odelia, ten months ago. For instance, I like to talk with everybody, In Togo, I worked as a but I found barriers when I realized that my computer repairer, a English was not good enough to talk with video editor, and physics American people and and chemistry teacher. build new friendships or My dream in life is to graduate from a avoid problems. For medical or pharmaceutical school and work example, I want to avoid in the health field. Reading, watching communication problems movies, and playing Scrabble fill my spare with the police like the time. day that one patrol officer pulled me over and gave Reine Kouete me a ticket for speeding. I am originally from Togo, Also, I realized that getting a white-collar job West Africa. I have two would be impossible if I do not improve my younger brothers and English. I decided to learn English in order three younger sisters. I to reduce these problems. I was determined have a fifteen-month-old to enroll in school in order to get my English girl. My hobbies are diploma, if I wanted to succeed in the U.S. listening to gospel music Most of the time when we travel, we and reading the Bible. I think that it is going to be a wonderful am CNA, and I work full- experience, but immigrants can’t have the time at Oak Glen Nursing same thoughts. After living in the U.S. for Home. My goal is to be a some time, immigrants find that trying to nurse, so I can take care of people. give a better life to their family Mariá Irasu León demands so many My family and friends sacrifices, but if they call me Irasu. I am want to succeed in eighteen years old; I the U. S., they was born in Los should plan ahead. Angeles, CA. When I The most important goal should be to get an was two years old my education and learn the language. family decided to move to Mexico. My life in Mexico was nice; I used to go to school, and I also was involved in

extracurricular activities. I moved back to US when I was fourteen years old. Right now I am taking ESL classes, but after I am done, I would like to finish my career and become a lawyer.

Dulce Fourneau Mehwish Arshad I am from Mexico; I came I don't have a middle to the U.S. in 2003. I name. I am from have one-year-old son, Pakistan. I have one Carlos W. Pollock. I am sister and four brothers. taking ESL classes I have been in the because I want to finish United States about five my accounting career, years now. I did not and I want to be able to know how to speak speak English fluently. English when I came to Additionally, I want to be the United States. I able to help my son with his homework learned English in when he goes to school. My hobbies are Middle School in the United States. I reading motivational books and spending learned a lot in the United States. I used to time with my family, live in an apartment, but now I live in a house. I learned how to drive a car in the My Oanh Wilson United States and that was one of the things I have been in the US that I really liked. I also like to sing, dance, since 2005. I came and write poems and stories. from Ho Chi Minh City which is the biggest Alban Egejuru city in Vietnam. I'm I am from Nigeria, West twenty-seven-years Africa. I have been in the old, and I would like to U.S. for a little over a get bachelor’s degree year. Like my sister, I in business in five work at Trinity West as a years. My dream is quality patient care tech. owning a coffee shop I enjoy Christian music, with international decoration and and my goal is to work in international music because customers who the medical field. I want to concentrate on are people from all over the world. I know and I understand people's feeling while they are far away from home. My coffee shop’s purpose would Samir Badamgul bring home moments for those people. I came to U.S. in Hopefully, my dream will come true. November 2003 from Uzbekistan. I like to play Abide Bataba soccer and volleyball. I am from Togo, West Moreover, I used to Africa. I live here with attend Rock Island High my husband and two School. I like my babies, Paula (1 ½) and instructors and Kyle (5 months). I have classmates at BHC. I am been living in the U.S. still thinking about my for almost 4 years. I like major, but first I have to swimming and playing finish the ESL program with my babies. I speak at BHC. French, English, and four indigenous languages of Togo. I enjoy learning English because it helps me improve my speaking and listening skills.

Kokou Logo Koffi Agbeko Eklou Married and the father People often call me of two children, Kokou “Teacher!” I am from Logo was born in 1975 Togo, West Africa. I in the small village have been living in Tchekpo-Deve in America for five years. southern TOGO. He I’m married and have graduated from four children who live University of Lome, in Africa with my wife, Togo with B.A. and Yawa Akakpo. In M.A. and taught Togo, I was a teacher French and African Literature at Saint in a public elementary Michel High School of Lome for two years. school for twenty-four years, but in the US, I He then spent two years in Lyon, France was welcomed by a factory, Tyson-Foods, and has been in Moline since November where I am working full-time. I enjoy taking 2005 and has already earned his National English classes at Black Hawk College Pharmacy Technician Certification. Kokou because I’m planning to become an English is a full-time laborer at Farmland Foods Inc. teacher. Reading history books, watching in Monmouth, and hopes by the end of this movies and playing soccer are my hobbies. year to start his first work experience in Pharmacy. He is actively preparing for Maria Luisa Ferrel associate/transfer in Pre-pharmacy at BHC. Though my first name He likes computers and politics. is Maria, I use Luisa. I was born in Eugenia Egejuru Guadalajara, Mexico I am from Nigeria. I and studied came here less than administration in a year ago with my tourism. I’ve been brother. I work at living in the Q.C. area Trinity West. My for 10 years. I am the hobbies are listening mother of two kids. My to music, watching hobbies are playing movies. My goal is tennis, jogging, and reading. My goals are to have a good to learn good English and to graduate with a education and earn physical therapy degree. a degree as a registered nurse.

Sahrish Arshad I'm from Pakistan. I was 15 when I moved in the U.S. Now I'm Each semester the students in Writing II (ESL 076) create the ESL Newsletter. We give our almost 18 years old; I thanks to Anne Bollati, Sheryl Gragg, Anne Ney, love being here. Akiko Edmondson and Mike Winter for their When I came here, I assistance. If you have an idea that you would went to UTHS. After like the next Writing II class to consider for the graduating from there, spring ESL Newsletter, please e-mail me at I went to BHC. My [email protected]. personal goal is to be --Karen Hindhede, Instructor a dentist.