ESL NEWSLETTER a Publication from Spring Semester 2009 English As a Second Language Students

ESL NEWSLETTER A publication from Spring Semester 2009 English as a Second Language Students

Superstitions as a Part of or avoid doing in their everyday life out of fear that something bad will happen. For example, Russian Culture people do not whistle indoors because they By Olga Betzel Every culture has a certain set of beliefs might lose all their money, if they do. I have that reflect its history and the way its people been living in the USA for about a year and still view the world. These beliefs can be either do not feel comfortable hearing somebody rational or irrational. For centuries people all whistling indoors or in the car. In Russia, as over the world tried to explain things they did well as in some other cultures, talking about not understand, and one of the ways to get future success, especially boasting about it is control over the considered bad luck. It’s safer to be silent or to unexplainable was to sound pessimistic until the success has been believe in superstitions. achieved even when one is sure of success. If Despite the fact that you cannot help yourself, after saying, “Next modern science has month I will get a promotion”, immediately spit proved most of the three times over your left shoulder. Don’t do it irrational beliefs wrong and literally – three symbolic spits will do. You can senseless, in some also knock on wood. Knocking on wood is cultures people still, cling to practiced in Russia as well as in other superstitions in their countries; however, everyday life. Russians tend to add a I was raised in Russia, a country symbolic three spits over abundant in superstitious beliefs, but I never one's left shoulder (or thought about the nature of these beliefs until I simply with the head moved to the United States and saw a different turned to the left), and culture. In the U.S., people do not care much Russians will often knock about the supernatural forces and ill omens; three times as well. they look at things in a very materialistic way. Traditionally one was After seeing the differences in the two cultures, spitting on the devil, who I realized that superstitions are truly an is always on the left. important part of Russian mentality which Another very popular superstition has to reflects its ancient do with flowers. If you want to get off on the and modern history wrong foot with a Russian woman, give her an as well as the nature even numbers of roses; even numbers in of Russian people. Russia are for funerals. She will think that What is a something is wrong with you. I am lucky “Russian because my husband even though he is superstition”? It is American, knows about this superstition and something that always puts an additional rose for me in the Russian people do traditional American bouquet of dozen roses. 1

The list of popular Russian superstitions with words, “domovoj, you have played can go on and on like an endless train. They enough; give it back to us now.” After that, we encompass every aspect of life from birth until usually found the missing thing. My mother death. Many of the superstitions come from also used to tell me that coming back home for folk tales or fairy stories, Russian Orthodox forgotten things is a bad omen, and it is better tradition, or have peasant roots. Since most to leave it behind, but if returning is necessary, Russians are only one or two generations from one should look in the mirror before leaving the the farm or village, house again. Otherwise, the journey, will be superstitions are wide bad. Everybody in my family used to look in the spread not only in the mirror in that case. Every time before leaving rural areas of Russia, the house for a long journey all my family where people believe in would sit together for a moment in silence. It witches and magic spells was a time “to sit and think” of anything we and blame health might have forgotten. troubles on the evil eye, Many superstitions became customs and but also in the big traditions. For example, when someone metropolitan cities like Moscow and St. sneezes, Russians say, "Be healthy”. Petersburg. Otherwise, the sneezing person will get sick. I Russians are raised with these think 99% of Russians think this “Be healthy” superstitions, so they have no need to consult thing is just a tradition. But actually, it’s a a manual. Everybody in Russia knows that if a superstition whose cat in your house washing its face it means meaning was you should expect guests soon; if you have the forgotten long ago. It hiccups, someone is remembering you at this took me several moment; if your nose itches, you'll be drinking months of life in the soon, or you will get hit in the nose; if your right USA to give up telling hand itches, you're going to get money soon; if someone who your left hand itches, you're going to give sneezes to “Be someone money. People all around the world healthy”, but I still think that kitchen utensils are just instruments keep saying these words in my mind, just in for eating and cooking, but Russians have case. found another meaning for this. People in I believe there are two major reasons Russia know that if a fork or a spoon falls on why people in Russia still cling to superstitions the ground, they should expect a female guest; in their everyday life. For the last hundred if a knife falls, a male guest will show up soon! years, life in Russia has lacked stability. Superstitions in Russia are passed on Constant political and economic changes have from generation to generation like a box of made people worry about the future and left family’s treasures. I have learned about the them feeling helpless. When people do not strange meaning of things from my family. My have anything to hold on to, they turn to mother did not let me sit at the corner of the superstitions. Superstitions give a certain table for the fear that I would never get degree of confidence, encouragement, and married. She also control. For example, students never wash always reminded their hair before an exam for the fear of me not to place an forgetting everything they empty bottle back know. Of course, it does not on the table. That is make any sense, but it sure considered bad helps those who did not study luck. My father feel better. The second recommended to reason is hidden inside the me not to start anything serious on Mondays. If Russian national character. It something is lost in the house, my mother is easier for a Russian to usually addressed a “domovoj”, an imaginary blame the misfortunes of his or her life on creature that supposedly lives in every house, supernatural forces than on his or her own 2 mistakes. It can be blamed on a black cat or a A Powerful Celebration - “The Day of Dead” woman with an empty bucket, or whistling By Maria “Teresa” Reyes inside the house - anything that one can The Day of the Dead is a very special possibly think of. It is amazing that even if one ritual in which Mexicans celebrate in many or several birds defecate on a Russian, he will towns and cities. There are many activities like satisfy himself with thoughts that it was for a parades where people dress in scary costumes good luck! Moreover, it is so tempting for a mainly skeletons, witches, ghosts, and Russian to eat a lucky bus ticket, when the vampires. sum of the left three numbers equals to the Churches mass, sum of the three numbers on the right, to be plays, and outdoor happy forever! markets which sell There are, however, a few things that all kinds of items most Russians are not superstitious about at related to the all. Most Russians are not particularly holiday, but the concerned with the number 13, opening most magnificent umbrellas indoors or walking under a ladder, activity is a very old but it is just a drop of common sense in the tradition in which all ocean of prejudices. Mexican families Ultimately, the Russian people may gather to honor our believe in superstitions for a number of ancestors through reasons - out of fear of tempting fate, out of altars at home or in graveyards. habit, or just to be on the safe side, but the fact Two days before the celebration of the is that superstitions have played a very Day of Dead, my mother, sisters and I set up important role in the life of Russian people on a table the altar, which is decorated with throughout history. It is something that we, different kinds of fruits like apples, tangerines, Russians, have lived with for centuries, oranges etc. We include bread of the dead, something that we do consciously and made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, orange unconsciously in order to get through the peel, anise and yeast. The bread is adorned difficulties of ever changing life. with strips of dough simulating bones, and at the top, a small round piece of dough symbolizes tear drops. Sugar skulls are decorated with paper foil for eyes and colored icing for hair. Candles, special dishes, marigolds and glasses filled with water, juice, milk or chocolate are also on the altar. Moreover, we put up some photographs of my grandmother and my uncle, who both passed away several years ago. Finally, we add their favorite food, drink or objects; for example, my uncle used to like to drink tequila so my mom put one bottle of tequila on the altar. My mother said, "Children, remember you can't eat anything from our altar; this food is especially for your grandmother and uncle.” She added, "We all know that their souls won't eat this food, but their souls come to smell and enjoy all that we leave for them.” We all agreed

3 and avoided the temptation to eat anything people were still selling flowers and candles to from the altar. Then we waited for the those who didn't have time to buy them before. celebration day. As we got in the car, we started to eat what my I remember one very special celebration mom had brought. in November 1985. On November 1st, we Instead of going home, we decided to received the children’s souls, and on visit some friends who lived in Mixquic, which November 2nd the adult souls came. At five is a town where people celebrate the Day of o'clock in the morning, my brothers, sisters, Dead all day and all night. Their altars were parents and I were already up. This time I got marvelous; I mean more than just beautiful. up without whining because we all knew that Most of their altars were big and had many day we had to get up early before the traffic got items; especially, flowers, bread of the dead awful. My father and brothers grabbed the and candles. Many houses were open to let us buckets filled with flowers and put them in the see their magnificent altars. There was a street trunk of the car and also a shovel and scissors. market in which you could find anything for My mother brought some sandwiches and your altar. And if you were hungry there were drinks while my sisters and I carried some several food stands. Next to their main church plates, napkins, glasses and candles to the was the cemetery in which the people from this car. We were all set and town come inside and did the same thing we ready to go. My father had done when we visited the cemetery in drove for forty-five which their relatives rest in peace. There was minutes to the cemetery. one big difference. They stayed in the There were very few cemetery all night. My father said, “There is people, but very soon, nothing to be afraid of my children. There are many families came and thousands of lit candles and many people filled the cemetery. My around us, besides the souls come to visit us brothers and father not to scare anyone.” And my father's friend carried the flowers while added, “We are very busy praying, talking my mom brought the about our dead relatives, remembering sad or candles. One of my happy situations and singing songs so that the sisters brought the shovel, and I brought the night passes very quickly.” scissors. We walked through the dirt and To sum up, the Day of Dead is a powerful passed many tombs on which there was a celebration, cross of wood, cement or metal. Each one had which brings the name of the person, birth date, death date together all and some thoughts from their relatives or dear the Mexican friends. When we had reached the tomb of my families. I grandmother and the tomb of my uncle, we personally started to clean the dirt and weeds. After we experience finished, we put the flowers in the vase of each love, hope, tomb and some yellow marigolds around each wonder and tomb and filled the vases unity from with water. Finally, my my family. mom lit the candles and On started to pray, and we November 1st and 2nd we wait for the souls to repeated her words. come to visit us at home and in the cemeteries. When she had finished, When you see how much love is reflected we all said good-bye. By through those altars, you will understand what the time we left the all Mexicans already understand: that death is cemetery, there were part of our lives and we learn to respect, honor many people doing the and remember our dead relatives. same thing. Some families brought Mariachis to sing the favorite songs the person used to like. Outside, many 4

Switzerland‐Soccer? the Swiss national team made a big change in By Tim Alini my life because I was on my own. I was under Do you think that Switzerland is famous pressure because my coach wanted me to give because of the cheese and the famous 100% in each game, so every single game I chocolate? Because the mountains there, you had to be in a good shape to play well. Even may think, skiing could be the only fun. These when I was 95 % in shape to play, I couldn’t are some thoughts that most American people because my team players were better than me, think when they so everyone who was in good shape could hear the word play. It was a lot of fun because we went to “Switzerland.” France, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and Italy However, I would etc. like to tell you The Swiss National championship is not something new one of the biggest championships in the world, about Switzerland but it is popular, too. Switzerland became and about Swiss famous because the team could represent the soccer. Euro Cup 2008 in their country. To know more I realize that not many people know that about the the Swiss are passionate about soccer, but I Swiss can tell you the opposite because Swiss soccer, I people like soccer a lot. Soccer has become interviewed the most attractive sport in Europe including my friend Switzerland. Italy, Spain, England, Argentina Boris Muller and Brazil are known for their soccer passion from because they are bigger than Switzerland. Switzerland. I am Tim Alimi, 19 years old, and I am He plays for from Switzerland. My passion is soccer. I the U-20 National team. began to play soccer when I was a little boy. Tim (Interviewer): First of all, tell us Every time I played soccer, I was so happy. I something about you before we start our was just satisfied when I was playing soccer. interview about the Swiss soccer. As I grew up, I liked soccer even more Boris: At first, I want to say thank you for because I understood how important soccer is giving me the opportunity to represent my for each country. I moved two months ago from country and help you with this interview. My Switzerland to the United States. At the name is Boris Muller. I am 19 years old, and I moment, I am out of touch with soccer am from Basel, Switzerland. I have played because I can’t play anymore for my team. I soccer since I was a child. At the moment, I am used to play for FC Basel (Basel is my home playing for the FC Basel youth team, U-20, and city) and for the U-16 and U-17 Swiss national for the Swiss U-20 team too. team (U means under 16 or 17, the age). I Tim: Thank you very much for such a really enjoyed my time with my team because nice introduction, Boris. My first question is, Is we were a unit. We always tried to give our soccer popular in Switzerland? best even when we lost a game. It was a good Boris: Yes, it is definitely because Swiss experience in my “soccer” life because I soccer has made such a great change learned a lot of things that also because of the Euro 2008 in Austria and in helped me in my “normal” life. Switzerland. This big event has made the Soccer is a sport where I Swiss soccer more popular because all of learned how to respect and Europe participated in the Swiss World. I also how to behave well. I also think that the Swiss soccer is learned to be a sportsman, at the beginning because which means to be fair against the Switzerland is a small country team you are playing. I had to follow different compared to the other rules in the Swiss national team because if I countries in Europe. What I didn’t follow the rules I couldn’t play. To join can is that the Swiss soccer is developing very well and very fast. 5

Tim: So the Swiss like soccer? lead. We are at the second place at the Boris: Absolutely. I am a soccer player, moment. and I can tell that when I have a game with my Tim: That seems to be a club team or national team, there are a lot of very close championship people in the stadiums, who are motivating us between FC Zurich and FC our country, so my answer is yes. Basel. What I want to know is Tim: Wonderful. You said that the Swiss which team won the people like to come to the stadiums and championship last year? motivate their teams. Could you tell me how it Boris: Thank you, for is for you, as a soccer player, when you see all asking me such a nice these people in the stadium? Have you had question. I want to ask you this question. Do some wonderful experiences? For example, in you know which team won the title last year? Basel do the fans yell your name, or is there Tim: That’s nice. I guess that FC Basel something that touched you? won it, am I right? Boris: Yes, of course. I Boris: Yes, you are. Yes, we won it last just can say I love it. You year, and I am very proud because we also know, if you see all these qualified for the Champions League. people in the stadium, you Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the can see how they are group, but it was nice to see how the team was motivating you. That is like they messing with the best clubs in the world. I push you to do give your best and only the couldn’t play because I played for the youth best. That is an incredible feeling. I can’t team, so I hope we can win the title again this explain it because you need to be on the field year because I want to play in the Champions to feel that feeling, but I think you know what I League. That’s my dream. am talking about. Tim: Is the Super league better than the Tim: As a former soccer player, I should other European leagues? know it. But let’s go to my next question. Could Boris: Like I said, the Super League is you tell me how many teams are represented one of the smallest leagues in Europe, so the in the Swiss championship? Super League is behind the European leagues Boris: The Swiss championship is one of at the moment. But in a few years, the Super the smallest championships. There are only League could be on the same level with the ten teams represented in the major league. On European Leagues. the other hand, the Swiss championship is very Tim: The Super League doesn’t have a exciting because the teams are playing against big influence in the European soccer world? one side four times, so that is different from Boris: Yes, that’s true. The other other championships. The European leagues are bigger. That means, Swiss championship is they have more teams represented in their called Super League, and championships. Most of the European leagues the ten clubs that are have 18 to 20 teams, so more represented in the Super teams can qualify for the League are FC Basel, FC Champions League and that Zurich, Young Boys, affects how important the Grasshoppers, Aarau, league is because they are Sion, Bellinzona, Neuchatel Xamax, Vaduz represented in the Champions and FC Luzern. League and that’s the highest Tim: You talked about the teams. Could competition. tell me which is the strongest team right now? Tim: Thank you, Boris, for this Interview. And for which team you are playing? I liked talking with you about soccer, and I can Boris: Right now, I am playing for FC say you did a great job. Last but not least, what Basel. I have a contract until 2010. At the do you want to add as a conclusion to this moment, at the top of the table is FC Zurich, interview? our biggest rival. FC Zurich has a two-point Boris: I enjoyed it. I am glad that I could talk about soccer and Switzerland. It was 6 pleasure because I could help you. In Finally, we were taken to another transit conclusion, I want to say that Switzerland and center where we stayed for one week. Then the Swiss soccer is growing, like a city, and we were relocated to a “permanent” address. maybe in a few years we can be on top with We were given an axe, hoe, slasher, and plot the top leagues in the world. Thank you, Tim, of land and told to clear and cut down trees to and have a good stay in the United States. build our house. After cutting those big trees, Tim: Again, thank you, Boris. we had to cut medium poles for the sides and People, don’t forget that Swiss soccer will then cut grass to create the roof. catch up, one day! The head of households were also given identity cards and food ration cards. We received beans, maize, sorghum, cooking oil. Even though we were given food monthly, it was not enough. We would usually finish the food a week before the end of the month. Restrictions on employment affected us

negatively because it was commonly illegal to go to work outside our camp. Within the camp, there were refugees already settled many years ago; however, we would seek casual ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ agricultural and construction work from them in exchange for food. While in the camp, we had access to Life in Refugee Camps primary school, but high school was difficult to By Twizerumukiza “Jean” Baptist I was born and raised in the southern access. It belonged to the government. We province of Rwanda. In the midst of 1994, a were required to pay school fees like any other war broke out in the country when I was eight national student; however, it was hard to work years old. For our safety, my family and I for both food and school supplies since my sought asylum in Burundi. In fact, I have lived three siblings and I were in high school. My in exile and spent most of my life in several mother and I did piece-meal work in order to refugee camps all over central Africa, including buy one or two school supplies. Zambia. Those refugees who resided in the When I arrived in Zambia, my family and I camp had were taken to the transit center where new access to comers reside temporarily inside the country health care borders. We stayed there for seven months, through camp and life was not easy. There were more than health care one thousand people living in small, close centers. shelter, an area about the size of Black Hawk These were College very small campus. Any health posts time a house in operation to attend to minor illnesses. caught fire; The life was difficult for us in terms of an other houses emergency or an outbreak because the would hospital was located far away from the immediately camp. burn, too. In a nutshell, I think that life in the This was a refugee camp is difficult to lead. Camp based big problem for us to leave our house because refugees lives remain challenging. This it could easily catch fire and be destroyed. We situation seems to expose refugees to a could move about the camp, but we were not hopeless, dark environment. Even though I allowed to go into the host community. endured until the end, it is still hard for many needy refugees who are in the refugee camps to have access to health care, food ration, 7 education, and housing in order to restore previous year. The second day (April 14th), opportunities they deserve just like any other which is called “Wan Nao,” means the day that human beings. links the previous year to the new year. April 15th is called “Wan Thaloeng Sok”, which means the New Year begins. Thus, each year, everyone is waiting for Water Festival: A Unique these special days. People who are working away from their hometown are looking forward Thai New Year to returning home to visit their parents and By Arporn Chantawee celebrate the Festival. It is a national holiday. During summer in Thailand, the One week before April 13th, people temperature rises up to 100 degrees or more. usually prepare for Songkran days. They clean This high temperature has led Thais to create and decorate their houses, trim the bushes, a unique tradition in their country. In late and decorate their yards. Parents are excited afternoon, people like to go to welcome all children and grandchildren who to the temple to bathe the will come to visit. They look happy; every Buddha images. We use house looks nicer and cleaner than usual. water scented with jasmine They talk and plan parties to prepare to to splash on the Buddha celebrate the new year. images; then, we use the The first day of celebration is the most rest to throw on each exciting day. We get up early and prepare other. We believe that food, fruits, dessert, gifts, and alms for the splashing the Buddha monks. Then we will bring these to the temple. images with water will At the temple, we will have a long worship. bring happiness to us in Normally, the senior monk will give us a the future. A month later, speech about we have three days of celebration called human life Songkran or the Thai New Year Festival. reminding us to Songkran is a Thai word, which means th follow the "move" or "change place". April 13 of each Buddhism’s year is the day that the sun changes its rules. We will position in the zodiac. This is the hottest day of make a wish and the year for Thais. A smart idea that our then, we will free ancestors had was splashing each other with animals such as scented water to cool ourselves down from the birds, turtles, heat. As we and fish. We throw water on believe this will bring us health and long life. each other, we After we come home from the temple, we call this special have a big breakfast; then, all family members day the "Water gather to express our respect to the parents, Festival". It is not grandparents and the elders. To do so, all just to cool down seniors sit together while all family members sit from the heat, but in a line from the oldest to the youngest. Then, we believe that each of us pours scented water on our parents’ water will wash hands. While pouring the water, we also make away bad luck a wish for them. In return, our parents and the and bring good elders wish us good luck and prosperity. More luck to us in the future. reverently, we express our respect to the The temperature stays high for a few ashes of our ancestors, which are kept in an months; however, we celebrate this special urn. ceremony for only three days. The first day of th In the afternoon, we join the Songkran Songkran Festival is April 13 called “Maha parades. Each village creates their own parade Songkran” or the day to mark the end of the with different ideas; however, each parade has 8 a beautiful girl called “Miss Songkran” who is society, the value is to create concern about dressed the environment with cooperation, such as to in a clean houses, temples, public places and traditional official buildings. Thais value religion by means Thai of practicing Buddhism, offerings alms to costume. monks, meditation, listening to sermons, and During freeing animals. the Everyone loves Songkran Festival. parade, During these three days, it is very common to both get soaking wet all day. The only exception is young for people who have to work and are not able and old to join activities. Songkran people joyfully splash water on each other. Festival is not only an Again, at night we will have a Miss Songkran enjoyable time; it is also the Contest along with entertainment such as marking of the beginning of movies, Thai traditional dance, and circle each year life. Many times dances. when thinking of these The second and the third day of memories, I miss my Songkran are days of continued activities. country and wonder when I People start the day with activities that are will be able to enjoy this related to religion, admiration of parents and special time with my family elders, and set up water tanks in front of again. Living far away from houses. This water will be used to throw on my country, I can only live with my memories. everyone who passes by. They also go visiting It makes me realize how fortunate I was to be their relatives, friends and neighbors to soak born in Thailand where I have had them with scented water. Many groups of unforgettable experiences in this marvelous young people like to put water tanks in their tradition. trucks and travel to many different places. While traveling, they throw water on everyone aaaaa they meet. In late afternoon, they return home, have parties in the evening, and enjoy entertainment in the night. Islamic Women: We recognize the Songkran tradition as a Beyond the Stereotypes valuable custom for the Thai community, By Walaa Hosameldin society, family, and religion. For family, the What comes to your mind when you think value is to provide the opportunity for all of a Muslim woman? A mysterious, veiled members to gather together to express our victim of male oppression, awaiting Western respect to the parents, grandparents, and the liberation? A slogan-shouting terrorist? An elders. uneducated foreigner with whom you have little The values for the community are to or nothing in common? Unless your social provide an opportunity to create unity, such as circle includes Muslim friends, the chances are worship, meet each other, and to enjoy the that your impressions of Muslim women have entertaining largely been formed by negative media events; we stereotypes; images that usually have little to always play do with real life, and may sports and have been designed to games during attract more viewers or the day and sell more products. watch movies However, the truth, like from the open real life, is beyond the theater, listen stereotypes. Islam to music, and doesn’t make any join Thai traditional dance at night. For Thai difference between man 9 and woman. Both of them are essential for life. them will get the same punishment regardless First of all, the Muslim woman is equal to of their sex. man in her chances of education and Last of all, the Muslim woman has to knowledge. Islam doesn’t make any distinction wear something called the "veil" or the between man and woman in this domain. As headscarf. for me, since I am a Muslim woman, I can She has to study whatever I want and nobody can push cover her me to study something that I don’t like. For whole body example, when I was in Egypt, I attended the except her University of Education to study foreign hands and her languages. I didn’t find any refusal from my face. Some father or my mother. They told me, “You are people would free to study whatever you like”. say that this is Next, a woman in Islam has an unlimited unfair because space of expression similar to a man. Her men don’t opinions are taken into consideration and have to wear a headscarf like women do, but cannot be neglected just because she belongs the reason for that is very important. That is to the female sex. For example, I have the because, generally, a woman is more attractive same chance as man has in the freedom of than a man, and Islam wants to protect her expression, and I can share my ideas and my from the man’s sexual desire. My father always opinions, which are taken into consideration says to me that the girl cannot show her with other people. When I was in high school in beauty to anybody but her future husband. Egypt, I used to write Wearing a veil saves me from the looks of suggestions to develop the strangers and leads me to the right way in life. educational system, and When I wear my head scarf, I don’t feel that I my school always took am inferior to the man, but I try to express my opinions and ideas myself because the scarf forces people to into consideration. In judge me by my character rather than my 2004, I told my school’s looks. I am glad I cover my hair because I think principal to create a that it is a symbol that I am attached to my suggestion box and to put it in religion and that I am proud of it. the main office of school, so if anyone had any Now unfortunately, this is not the way suggestion to develop the school or to help people see things. Just as Islam is so other students to study better, that person stereotyped in the Western societies, the could put his or her opinion in this suggestion status of women in Islam is one of the most box. The principal told me, “What a great idea. extremely misunderstood and incorrectly Certainly, we need more suggestions from our portrayed things in the Western world. So students to develop our educational system. many false depictions were made of women in You did a good job.” A month later, I found a Islamic countries. Plus, in many so-called suggestion box in the main office of school. I Islamic countries, women aren't treated was very happy because I participated in according to their rights that God gave to them. changing my school into the best. But this isn't the fault of the Then, God gives woman in Islam the right Islamic ideology. It's the to earn and to possess her own money fault of the misapplication independently. She can have her own or sometimes even outright business and her own property. If she commits denial of the ideologies in anything wrong, she would have the same these societies. Many of punishment as a man has in a similar case. the practices and laws in For example, last month, I just learned that my Islamic countries are totally neighbor and his wife believed in magic and unrelated to the origins of were reading daily horoscope news. The Islam. Instead, a lot of penalty of that in Islam is that God will not these practices are based on cultural and accept their prayer for forty days, so both of traditional customs. At that point, we cannot 10 combine the legislative rules of any country Festival attracts thousands of visitors daily and Islamic rules because they are not the from dusk to dawn. same. In the morning, Vung Tau has its beauty Also, it is clear that the status of woman to offer the visitor. Under the morning sun, the in Islam is high and suitable to her nature. Her radiant rays reflect in every direction upon the rights and duties are equal to those of man. In blue ocean that is a beauty to the beholder. the Quran, no difference is made between the Because Vung Tau lies in the south eastern sexes in relation to God, "For men who submit part of Vietnam and to the northeast of the and women who submit, for believing men and Mekong Delta, it is a fishing location for many believing women, for humble men and humble fishing sports that are offered from morning women...." Allah doesn't only talk about men, until dawn. The morning is the preparation nor does he only talk about women. In the time; many visitors are able to see employees eyes of Allah, we are all equal. So if God, who setting up tents, gathering equipment and created us, who gave us life, who provided us setting up boats to prepare for the evening with all that we have, sees mankind equally, races. They why can't we? decorate the road by hanging up the ááááááá flags, and toy balloons around the park and the The Time of Life, small lake in the park. They also “Vung Tau Sea Festival” prepare the boats and rafts with a lot of By Trung Nguyen fireworks, so when the night comes in, they will Vung Tau has many beautiful beaches go to the middle of the sea to light them. that extend for miles, and it is In the afternoon, all the action begins. the place to go for a scuba Visitors are now able to watch the sports they diving in its corral reefs. It is would like to see. Some of sports people like surrounded by mountains on to play are water soccer, soccer on the beach, three sides and has a large volleyball, and tug of war ….The sports island on the fourth side. The featured during the Festival are so countless mountains are a beautiful that visitors are amazed to see the things they place of their own, and they could do and watch during their visit. also protect Vung Tau from major storms. At that time, I used to skip class. I got all Because Vung Tau benefits from the mountain my friends together to hang out there. We felt protection, it also has great weather all year very interested because everything looked so round, and it is considered one of the most nice that we beautiful places in Vietnam. Although this didn’t think it place is famous for its natural beauty, it is more could be real. famous for its Sea Festival that occurs every We went there two years. Vung Tau Sea Festival is a tradition at 2 o’clock pm, within the rich traditions of Vietnam. Vung Tau and my friends Sea Festival is a chance to give the new and I visitors a participated in glimpse of the playing the country’s beauty sports that the people organized and prepared and at the same for the festival day. We played soccer and time gives the made a separate volleyball teams to play with old visitors the them; our team usually lost. Although we lost, sense of change we felt very happy and carried away wonderful that has taken memories with a lot of my friends and new place. The friends’ team.

In addition to sports, the Festival features was traffic and a lot of people in the road, so a great variety of activities such as a stone we couldn’t return sculpture camp, a competition to make sand home on time. We statues, a sea beauty contest, a water-skiing were in traffic for 3 competition, a canoeing race, a rowing race, hours to get out the and a sea diving competition. After enjoying city, and we went the featured activities, visitors can relax and home at 2 o’clock am. watch the beautiful sky filled with exploding On the way heading fireworks. The beauty of nature collides with home, my parents the manmade beauty. This is breathtaking. kept calling me to ask where I was. My friends One has to see it to believe it. and I were scared at that time because they The night is very exciting and relaxing. were also late. I picked up the phone and lied, The visitor can smell the aroma of the foods “I went to a party for my friend’s birthday, and miles away. Vung Tau is famous for its my motorcycle had some problems.” After that, seafood dishes that are unique to the area. I turned off the phone, and I drove my Visitors have many choices. Either they can motorcycle very fast to go home. dine at the finest restaurant by the ocean, or In conclusion, there many things one can they can stroll the street where food vendors say about Vung Tau, but if one hasn’t visited have setup their stands on both sides. These Vung Tau Sea Festival, he or she is missing a are the well-known traditions of Vietnam great experience of the lifetime. Attending the sidewalk foods. Food vendors setup their festival is well-worth it, even facing your stands or booths by the sidewalk and offer parents’ angry faces. customers the display of their food; customers can choose what to buy just by pointing at the ↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔↔ item. This tradition is well accepted with the The Process of Becoming an Vietnamese American people because By Munyengabe “John” Bosco they can try all In 1994, when I was three years old, I left different kinds of Rwanda with my family, together with other food in one place. thousands of people. We fled to the It is like a food neighboring country Burundi, in fear of death festival itself. and torture at the hands of the prosecutors, Then people prepare to go to the middle who were just killing everybody regardless of of the sea to fire the fireworks. At that time, the their race. After two months in Burundi, life was road becomes dense with a lot of people. I not as good as it was in my native country, never thought that so many people could Rwanda. My family and other thousands of hustle together on the road to go watch the refugees decided to move away from Burundi fireworks in the middle of the sea. My friends and migrate to Congo. We spent three years in and I climbed up the mountain to watch the that country while moving. Life was very fireworks. We could see everything very challenging; we had never moved long clearly. The fireworks were so nice and so big; distances before. Many people were dying we couldn’t imagine the spectacle because this because people were exhausted and hungry. was the first time in my life to see the By that time my father was dead, and my fireworks. mother was raising my four siblings and me. Since we were so passionate about the In 1997, we moved to Angola, still with fireworks, I forgot the time on the day we other thousands of people, and there I started skipped school, so I forgot the time to return first grade. After one year in Angola, the home. If I went back home late, my parents soldiers of Angola began fighting amongst would know that I skipped class to hang out themselves. We, the refugees, became fearful with my friends, and they would hit me. of more possible violence and the loud noise Everything went wrong on the trip home. There 12 that the guns were producing; therefore, we When I obtain citizenship, I will have the decided to flee to Zambia, which is the same right and privileges as anyone born in neighbor to Angola. In 1998, we went into a the US. I will be able to join the military, vote in refugee camp, and I started second grade. the election and hold any governmental jobs After five years in Zambia, my family decided that require citizenship. As a citizen, I will be to apply for citizenship from the immigration of able to buy a house and Zambia; however, our applications were enjoy the American life. I rejected because no one was allowed to will be able to travel naturalize if that person was not born in overseas and work in Zambia. I went ahead with education and any country without any completed twelfth grade. problems. When the United Nations High Immigrating to the Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an United States to live agency that takes care of refugees who are permanently is an facing problems, announced that application important and complex for resettlement decision for me. Even if I was open, my have left my homeland to family applied. stay forever, I still remember that Rwanda is Last December, the country to which I was born, and I really the UNHCR in like it, yet I live away from my country because conjunction with there is no freedom and security. I decided to the immigration go into exile in search of freedom and a better of the United life; hence, I could not find it. I lived in Zambia States approved for ten years, but there was no guarantee for our application; we passed the interviews and me to obtain citizenship. Now here in America, came to United States. Now I live in Rock it is a short process to became an American, Island. The first days when I arrived here, I and I am really interested in naturalizing. I now found it difficult to start anew because feel good because I have experienced everything was new to me, but now I am trying freedom; furthermore, I want to enjoy benefits to cope with American way of life. the citizens enjoy. My admission as a legal refugee allows me to reside and work in the United States and ணணணணணணண eventually apply for the citizenship. As a legal THE WAYS THE MEN AND refugee living in the United States, I should always carry an I-94 and Employment WOMEN INTERACT IN NEPAL Authorization documents as a proof of my legal VERSUS THE U.S. status. I really have to obey these rules and By Yogendra Raj Prasai regulations. There are some things I can’t do Every culture has its own identity, norms such as work for the government, vote in and values, and a kind of geography based elections, leave the country or join the military, reality. The culture of a nation sometimes can but I can work in public places and other jobs, be seen as a kind of superstition to another which do not require citizenship. nation. I am from Nepal, one of the Asian After one year in the United States, I can countries, apply for permanent residence. A permanent which is resident has not yet obtained citizenship but is situated in the process. At this point I can obtain a between two passport and travel overseas. I should be large and learning the US history and the laws. I also developed have to be a good moral character and countries: behavior. Since I will have to take a citizenship India and test eventually, I need to speak and write China. English well. This will really make the process Cultural norms and the vicious cycles of easy. poverty are the two main reasons of not 13 achieving social advancement in my country. Americans is that the men and the women of The reflections of the norms and values, my country dislike mixing with the opposite and the taboos spread all over the country are sex. The men are generally seen interacting seen on the men and women as images; how with other men. For example, boys are seen they behave and how they interact. The ways talking with other boys in a group in any kind of the men and the women interact in my culture social gatherings or feasts; on the other hand, are characteristically different from the ways girls are with the girls. The main reason of lack they interact in the US culture. of mixing among the men and the women is First of all, the men and the women are that Nepalese not open to each other on several critically society sees it with important matters like sex, health, plans, love skeptical eyes. and marriage. I remember the first time I talked When I was in my with my wife; she was shy, and she even did country, once I saw not look at my face. Then just breaking the my friend and called silence, I asked her, “Do you accept me to her by name, “Hey marry?” I just told her my future plans and Laxmi, How are about myself. She just listened to me. All of a you?” After some sudden, she replied to me, “I accept you, if you days, some of my support me and the family all through life.” relatives spread nonsense rumor of love After about half an hour-long between her and me. That’s why I gave up conversation, calling the friends of opposite sex by name. we came to the Just as I have a fear of stigmatization in the conclusion that society, so do others. Social norms and values we were ready are attached with this pattern of behavior. to accept each Unlike Nepalese, Americans are free not only other and from the strict social limitations but also from marry. During the fear of being stigmatized in society. that Americans respect each other irrespective of conversation, age, gender, status, and race. They have the we were not supposed to touch each other, feeling of equality and freedom. “Hi, guys, how and we were supposed to maintain distance. you doing?” A six- year–old child says to one At that time, we did not talk about love; we did who is almost like his grandfather’s age. This not talk about sex and about other sensitive is the main reason that allows the Americans and sensible matters. In contrast to the to interact freely with the opposite sex. Americans, Nepalese are reserved and shy to Finally, the pattern of the social and express their feelings to the opposite sex. They educational development is another factor that feel it is immoral and unsocial to discuss love influences the men and the women’s and marriage with the opposite sex before they interaction with each other. In Nepal, people get married. Nepalese men and women talk in used to think that a keeping distance more than is necessary. The woman would men and the women of our culture remain become pregnant if a almost reticent man touched her on talking about accidentally even on health problems the knee. They used especially to think that a girl was related with said to get married reproductive with the boy who health even with talked and touched the doctors of her accidentally. The the opposite sex. Unlike Nepalese, the effects of these kinds Americans are broad and open-minded on of superstitions of the past have not completely interacting with the opposite sex. gone. The interaction of the men and the The second way we are different from women that is seen nowadays is a result of the 14 superstition that was in the past. Different from important principle in Islam that teaches the Nepalese, the Americans are not affected everything belongs to God. The fourth is by any kind of superstition that could exist in fasting during Ramadan (the holy month in the the society, and they have more scientific Islamic calendar). As God said, “You who knowledge and greater education; as a result, believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was they feel free to talk with the opposite sex. prescribed to those before you that ye may Conclusively, in my culture, the men and learn self-restraint,” (Quran 2:183). Fasting is the women interact with each other in a way so from dawn until sundown—abstaining from that they would not be labeled as immoral. food, drink, and sexual activities. Though they interact with each other formally, The fifth one is to perform the pilgrimage they do not touch each other and do not forget to Mecca (Makahin Saudi Arabia) for those to keep distance. Once I asked my wife, “How who are able. do you feel about the way the Americans talk Completing the five daily prayers and to each other?” She replied, “I think they are fasting for Ramadan are the biggest really advanced and they feel someone of the challenges that a person who comes from an opposite sex an equal, unlike Nepalese.” She Islamic country will replied with wonder, “That‘s a big difference!” face and feel here in America; these two activities are a part of our culture that everyone enjoys and ۮۮۮۮۮۮۮ practices in the Islamic countries. When I first arrived here, I found it hard to practice and My Life as a Muslim in the USA perform my worship in the proper way. As I By Abdilghani Zouhair mentioned before, I have to pray five times a People get confused when they find day at different times wherever I am, even at themselves in a new society and have to face work. In my first job, I had only break time to a completely different culture from the one, pray, and I had to perform my prayers in the which they were a part. Also, for some people locker room in front of everyone, and few of my their religious life is very important for them to coworkers knew anything about Islam. My keep and practice when they live in a new coworkers used to ask me a lot of questions society that has different religions. As a Muslim about what I was doing and the religion of living in the USA, I have experienced Islam, yet I didn’t have enough English to talk difficulties practicing my religion and adjusting and explain ideas to them. to the new society. Next, my first fasting (holy month of First of all, as every Muslim, I have to Ramadan) was very strange and weird practice my worship activities, which are part of because I was the five pillars of Islam. The first pillar is faith or far away from belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of my family. the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing Being without be up on him). The my family at second is the this time was establishment of the five unusual for daily prayers performed me. Also, early morning, mid day, sometimes I late afternoon, sunset and used to fast nightfall. longer than Then the third is what I had to because of my work hours. While giving charity, which is an I was used to gathering with my family for breakfast during Ramadan, I did not have them 15 around me now. Therefore, after I explained culture and how Americans think and look to and discussed my difficulties with my me. Also, some of them really used to supervisor, he gave me permission to take communicate with me for a longtime which extra breaks to perform my prayers and in helped me learn and improve my English skills. order to break my fast on time. Then he used This gave me the opportunity to break the to ask me some questions about Islam obstacles between us. Another thing that because he used to have wrong ideas about helped me adjust to my new life was getting Islam and Muslims, similar to many other involved with the Islamic Center in Moline, Americans. where I can feel and practice my worship as if I Similarly, many other friends have was in my country with my family and friends. undergone my experience in different places of Finally, some friends from my country were employment. For very helpful; because of our common culture, example, my they were able to give me their advice and friend, Kamal share their experiences which helped me to Bouzagou, from learn from and to have more chances to know Morocco has about the U.S.A society. experienced To sum up, the changes that I have been similar difficulties through and the process that I experienced in as mine at his my new life as a Muslim in the USA to practice job, but since he my religion, and adapt to the new society was has recently obviously easy to get over it. Even the started working in difficulties that I faced at first were workable. a store, he has more chances to connect and As my friend, Kamal Bouzagou, said, “You like to communicate with Americans. He told me, “I it or you dislike it. You are representing your had some difficulties at first about performing religion, culture, and my prayers at work because people around me country, so be good had never seen a Muslim performing his enough to be able to prayers. Also I received many questions from explain your society to people about Islam especially my supervisor others and adjust to who was very surprised to know some first- theirs;” however, I also hand information about Islam.” think that it depends on Another friend works in a factory where people’s qualities and there are many Muslims, and he told that they skills as to how they deal used to have problems performing prayers, but with their new they received the right to pray on time; plus the experiences in a new company built a room for them to pray. society. Freedom of religion is included in the tenth amendment to the constitution of the USA. ■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■ According to this right, people feel free and more comfortable to practice their religions wherever they are here in the U.S.A. While Learn More About freedom of religion is guaranteed, it is not Black Hawk College required for employers to make special By Jingying Zhang accommodations. This seems very nice of I think studying at Black Hawk College is them. happiness for ESL (English as second After a period of six months, I started language) students because there are very getting adjusted to my new life, which kind teachers and advisors, extremely necessitates adapting and dealing with the advanced equipment, a complete education new environment and society without losing my system and great surroundings for each of the Islamic identity. People began to know more students who study in BHC. about me and Islam. Making friends at work, If people want to study English, I believe school and outside was another reason which Black Hawk is the best choice because there helped me to know more about the American are complete ESL courses which are suitable 16 for everyone, even adults. There are level 1-5 Building 1, and students thought there should adult education courses, which are set for be one more near the bookstore, for it would people who are not full-time students, and convenient for them when buying books. Now, Levels 6-7 are academic courses there is another cash machine just beside the which are offered to full-time bookstore. students. Students are able The students, who come to U.S. alone, to take other academic must be anxious to make more friends, and I’ll courses when they tell you that there are almost 20 kinds of clubs finish Level 7. A here for students, like Clean Sphere, variety of ESL courses Sisterhood on Campus (SOC), Association of are provided which Latin American Students, and Brotherhood on include listening classes, Campus and so on. I picked three of them to writing classes, grammar introduce, which are quite active and easy for classes, reading classes, international students to join to make new pronunciation classes and friends. conversation classes. Generally, The first one is International Student every week the students will take Association (ISA). The purpose of ISA is two classes, and each class will take 16 twofold: to foster international interaction and weeks. friendship among students, and to benefit the The BHC instructors are all very nice, BHC and encouraging, supportive and helpful, which is Quad-Cities particularly important for foreign students. communities Teachers always find extra time for students through who have problems with their assignments. cultural Moreover, students can also get help from education tutors. A lot of students who have studied in and BHC think the whole surroundings for learning fundraising English are great! efforts. I I often study in the ESL computer lab, believe this and there is a very kind tutor whose name is one is easy Anne. I can still clearly remember the first time for students to join and the members in that I asked her question. One of my homework club are all friendly. I attend the ISA club and assignments was writing a summary about an the advisor is Juanita, who is a kind-hearted article titled “Are there “his” and “her” brains”? lady. After I finished my article, I asked her to help Another organization is Student me check it out, and she was very pleased to Government Association (SGA), the official help me, and then, she talked with me about representative governing unit for the students the topic. She told me that when she was and all students are considered members of young, she was naughty, and she also liked SGA and are welcome to participate. climbing trees. She told me she was a The third organization is the tomboy. From her, I learned a new word and African-American Student remembered it easily. Union. I think this club One thing that most students care about will give a big help is scholarships because tuition is more for students who expensive for international students than come from Africa, American students. Anne Bollati, the ESL and this club open program coordinator, told me that if an to students of all international student has good grades in high cultures in order to school, that person can also get a 3-credit promote intercultural scholarship. communication and What’s more, the school tries its best to friendships. satisfy the students’ needs. For example, Now, do you have more idea there was just one cash machine which was in about the study surroundings? I hope all of this 17 information can help international students. I made people laugh, and some people said that must say, everyone at BHC, not only the life is hard, so anything that helps them to teachers but the students are all friendly; they smile can reduce their stress and make them will be glad to help new students who need feel good emotionally. help. The surroundings are great and quite Next, for those who stated that they suitable to study. preferred action such as Push, Transporter, Rambo and others said so because these movies are exciting; they make them feel like ∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫∫ they are into the lead actor character which most of the time is a hero or heroine who saved or protected people against TYPES OF MOVIES THAT PEOPLE bad intentioned folks. Those ENJOY movies send a message such By Yannio De Souza as to defend and protect When we go to a movie theater to watch against negative forces or a film or rent one to see it at home, do we criminal people. watch the movie just for the pleasure or for the Then, the four strong emotions that we feel during and after students, all females, who watching? Furthermore, why do people watch said they prefer romantic some kinds of movies more type of movies such as than other kinds? The Notebook, Titanic, A Personally, I love Walk to Remember and watching action and others, generally said that comedy movies. Why? because most people who have been or are They make me feel in my still in love relationships with someone can comfort zone and kind of relate to these types of movies. Often they lost match with my someone that they were in love with due to a personality, which is break-up or death. funny, friendly, After that, for those who went with the competitive and preference of horror movies such as Saw, Hills outgoing. In addition, most of the time, have Eyes, The Night of the Living Dead and I watch them because they make me laugh, others, the students said it because the movies relax and forget for a while about the stressful are exciting, not really scary. They endured the daily life that I live. terror, and then enjoyed a sense of relief at the Not being 100% percent sure if people end of the movie. enjoy the same category of movies that I enjoy, For the two I went and asked some students of Black people that stated Hawk College about the kind of movies they that they preferred enjoy watching and why. After my report, the science/fiction with results were like I predicted: people differed. In action movies, such all the 19 students that I asked, 7 of them as Star Wars, preferred to watch comedies, 2 stated actions, Armageddon, E.T, 4 went with romantic, 4 chose horror and 2 Matrix, Men in said they are fans of science/fiction with action Black, X-Men and movies. others, they like the For those who said they prefer watching adventure, the comedies such as American imagination, the Pie, The 40 Year Old creativity of the story and the special effects Virgin, Pineapple Express, such as aliens, robots and spaceships. Knocked Up, Yes Man By the way, some movies combine all and others, their answers categories such as Hell Boy II .These can were mostly because the attract all those people of different kinds of movies are funny and movies to watch that one. The interview that I 18 made with those students has some different relations with many other countries. Togo responses about what kind of movies people exports products such as oil, cotton, fish, enjoy, but I’m pretty confident that it will help cement etc… to countries like Benin, Nigeria, people clearly understand the motive of the Liberia and others. audience when they are watching some types After we gained freedom from France in of movies. 1960, we created a flag, which is beautiful and represents important ideas. My country’s flag has four colors and each color is symbolic. For ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ example, the white color means victory for the independence; the red represents the blood that was poured on the ground during the fight My Lovely Country for By Yawovi “Yawo” Kinto independence Abdilghani Zouhair an international ESL while the student from Morocco said, “In Morocco, there green stands are various lands for the from mountains to country’s the beautiful vegetation, desert. Jingying and the yellow Zhang an another means the international famine that Mercure Lome Sarakawa Hotel Lome Togo student said, occurred “China is the most during the fight for the independence. important place to One of the most important reasons why I visit because of the Birds Nest which is one of admire my country is that it is beautiful and the Seven Wonders of the World.” These friendly. Like we all know, every traveler wants students are proud of their countries. I, too, am to travel to a quiet and peaceful place and proud of mine. Togo is small country located have fun. Every month, thousands of people in West Africa. It’s the smallest country in come to my country just to Africa. Located between three countries, which have fun. For example, are Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, the south because my country is side of Togo is opened to the Atlantic Ocean. open to the sea, people Also, in the north side of Togo, there are tall spend their time mountains. It is the most interesting country in swimming, playing games West Africa. and drinking in hotels near After we gained our independence in the ocean. There are 1960, Hotel les Acacias some interesting clubs Togo that play different kinds of became music. In addition, not only it is a place for fun, the most it is also good for tourism. For example, popular tourists are interested to see our big market, country in which is opened everyday to anyone. In the West market, there are many kinds of products. Africa. For Thousands of people attend that big market example, everyday for business. Beside the market, Togo produces cement for many foreign there is a zoo, which has lions, elephants, countries. Ghana, which neighbors Togo, has different kinds of snakes and many other a business relationship with Togo in order to animals. receive any amount of cement they need every In summary, Togo is the most interesting month. Because of the port, which is opened to country in West Africa. Togo attracts the ocean, many business people are thousands of people from the foreign countries. interested in doing their businesses in my The popularity, kindness, and happiness are country. Moreover, Togo has some important three points that make me so proud of my 19 country. during the two-hour break at noon in the restaurant. In such a situation, she spent three semesters studying ESL courses. After three •••••• semesters, she took more classes as a full- time student, and One Former ESL Student then she worked less By Li Zeng as a waitress. Even A Chinese proverb says, “A long march though she already starts from the very first step.” This proverb overcame the first means success does not come from nothing. obstacle, there were Instead, it comes more difficulties in from concrete hard front of her. The work. Lynn Kwan is nursing program in Black Hawk College is the person who famous for its difficulty; even many the native proves it. She is a students don’t dare to try it. former ESL student, At the beginning of the pre-nursing who came from China program, Lynn said she spent two hours to in 2000. She graduated from Black Hawk read only one page of biology in a textbook. College one year ago, and she has already She thought she couldn’t keep reading so realized her goal. She is working in Illini slowly because of her language problems. She Hospital. I set up my goal to be a nurse, so I tried her best to read faster and faster. Lyn wanted to learn something from her and get said, “I don’t know how I lived for some study experience from her. those five years.” She studied hard; therefore, her grade point Through her example, we really learn average was high. Because never to give an excuse for not doing her GPA was in the top 40, something because of our age. Lynn was her application to the nursing thirty-nine years old when she first came to program was accepted. Thus, the Black Hawk she started the nursing College; program study, and the more furthermore, she practical study in the hospital. spent five years Because Lynn is so perseverant and diligent, to obtain her she has already reached her goal. associate degree After graduation from Black Hawk in nursing. While College, she applied on the internet for the job going to school, she needed to handle that she is working in right now. She says she housework and a job and her family. How did loves the job because she can do what she she handle the class work, the housework and loves to do; also, she says the nurse is the the job? She said, “I needed to make my bridge between patients and doctors. Nurses schedule very tight. I never hung out with need to instruct the patient, take care of them, friends, never attended any parties; I only went make contact with doctor, and find a social to three places, home, school, and the worker for patients, provide references, etc. restaurant.” Since Lynn has successfully overcome Lynn didn’t start from a high level in difficulties in America, she already made her English; she started from the lower levels dream come true. Through interviewing Lynn English. She began her ESL classes in Kwan, I think although we are ESL students or Grammar II, Writing I, Reading I, and Speaking immigrants and have a language I. Because she was out of school for a long disadvantage, we still can pursue a new life time in Taiwan, it was hard for her to catch up and succeed in the U.S.A. Her diligent spirit the material in the classes. During this represents every immigrant’s spirit, and I hope semester, she worked seven days at a every immigrant can realize their dream also. Japanese restaurant as a waitress. In order to finish the homework, she did the homework ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ 20

OUR AUTHORS!

I am Olga Betzel, and I am from Russia. I My name is Twizerumukiza “Jean” arrived to the USA in March of Baptist. I am twenty-three years 2008, and I live in Rock Island old. I am from Rwanda, with my family (my husband and I moved to the U.S. and 2 children). I enjoy three months ago with spending time with my family my family. I live with my and friends, but I do not have mother, two sisters and many friends in the USA yet. two brothers. I am I earned PhD in Physiology attending Academic ESL and Histology in Russia, classes at Black Hawk and I am looking forward College in order to improve to finding a job in my specialty my English. I have not in Quad Cities. The ESL program chosen my major, but I helps me to become stronger in English. My would like to pursue an Associates Degree in motto is Per aspera ad astra (Latin: Through Science and transfer to a four year college for adversity to the stars). a medical related field.

My name is Munyengabe “John” Bosco. I I am Li Zeng. I was born in Tai Shan in am seventeen years old, the fourth born Canton in China. I am twenty-nine years old. in a family of five children and I didn’t move out of Tai Shan until I went to Rwandan by nationality. study in Zhan Jiang Ocean I left my homeland when University. I gained a I was three years old, Bachelor’s Degree in together with my family. 2003, and my major was We passed through International Trade. After Burundi then we went to graduation, I immigrated Congo, from Congo to to San Francisco. I Angola and finally we went stayed there for four to Zambia. I grew up in years. Recently, I Zambia where I started moved to Moline. I am second grade and completed the twelfth grade. studying at Black Hawk Last December my family and I came to the College, and being a nurse is my goal in United States; we now live in Rock Island. I am the future. My hobbies are watching movies, planning to major in accounting after I shopping and listening to music. complete the ESL program. My hobbies are watching educational movies, spending time with friends and going for walks. I also like My name is Trung Nguyen. I am from playing volleyball, especially when I am at Vietnam. I have been school. living in here for almost two years. I like to listen to music and hang out with friends when I have time. My favorite sports are playing soccer, volleyball and bowling. 21

My name is Walaa Hosameldin. I was born in 1986. I am from Alexandria which is the My name is Abilghani Zouhair: I’m from largest city in Egypt. I have Turkish origins. My Morocco, which is located in the north of grandfather is Turkish, and my Africa. I like to play soccer and father is Egyptian. My travel. I love working native language is with math, chemistry Arabic, but I speak and physics because French and English, they give me the too. The main reason opportunity to create new that led me to things. I am the only one in immigrate to the my family in America, but I United States is come from a big family that looking for better life has eleven children. The BHC and better ESL program gave me the education. I have been in opportunity to make my dream the USA for two years. I am attending happen—study in America. the ESL classes in order to improve my English level. My goal is to become a great My name is Yawo Kinto: I'm from a small French teacher and to travel to France to get a country located in West Africa Master Degree in French grammar from there. named Togo. I come I like watching movies and reading novels and from a family with love stories in different languages. three brothers and one beautiful sister. I I am Yannio Desouza: I came to U.S by the was born and raised in end of 2004. I love Togo, West Africa. I moved sports, especially to the United States when I soccer and basketball. was seventeen. I speak I'm too short for playing French, German, English basketball, but I do enjoy and a bit of Spanish. I playing soccer. I’m still in love hanging out with my the dark about a profession; I don't friends and making know what will be my goal because a lot of people laugh. I’m choices are going through my head right now, interested in sports such but I hope I'm getting closer. as football, basketball and soccer. I also enjoy listening to music. I want to become My name is Maria Teresa a movie/music producer. Reyes. I am from Mexico, city. I have My name is Jingying three brothers and Zhang. Jingying is my four sisters, my father first name, and Zhang is and a stepmother. I my last name. I come came to the U.S.A on from Beijing, China. I am December 1996. I 19. My hobbies are used to live in writing, playing some California. I was a musical instruments and babysitter where I took care sports. My favorite of two lovely children. Later, in subject is math, and I February 2001, I came to Moline, Illinois. I like hope my major is math or to read, play soccer, run and over all I love to some other which is related to math. I just keep in touch with my family. Right now I am graduated from China and I will finish my planning to finish the ESL program. college in the United States. 22

My name is Arporn Chantawee. I am from My name is “Tim” Alimi: I am nineteen years Thailand. I have been old, and I am from Switzerland. I love soccer. living in the United I am from Switzerland, and I like to States since play soccer. I just moved 3 September 2006, and I months ago to the United have learned many States, and I really like it things in this country. because it was a dream I want to improve my to come and visit the English skills in order U.S. I also am looking to continue to a forward to staying higher degree in here and maybe school. I like music living my life here, and traveling. but I will see what will happen. I really like the My name is Yogendra Raj Prasai. I am from English language Nepal, the country situated between because, for me, its a India and China. vivacious language. I also hope that one day I Religiously, I am Hindu. can speak English very well. I have completed my graduate degree from Nepal. I worked almost about three The ESL Newsletter is written by the years as a teacher. I students in Writing II each semester. We am almost 33 years would like to thank Akiko Edmondson, old, and I am Mike Winter, Andy Olson, Sheryl Gragg, married. My wife and Anne Bollati for their help in this name is Nikan S. endeavor. Prasai. We are living in East Moline. My parents have four sons, and I am the youngest one. My eldest brother lives in Silvis and the second older brother lives in Oxford, UK and the third elder brother lives in Kathmandu, Nepal. My aim in my life is to study economics.