Hello! It was wonderful attending class yesterday, as it was my
first session. I am very excited to be taking this course and to have the
opportunity to facilitate students from all different countries. Everyone has
different perspectives to offer, given their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and
skillsets. I want to provide an open and inclusive space for everyone to engage
in dialogue. There is always something to talk about and to be able to create a
medium for others to simply talk and share their thoughts is invaluable to me.
For my first session, I hope to open up the conversation
circle with an ice-breaker in order for everyone to get to know one another and
to be comfortable in the group setting. I think it would be good to have a
quieter yet cozy setting. Some of my options include the Starbucks in the
Michigan Union, Espresso Royale, South Quad lounge, or a Ross classroom. I hope
everyone is as interested in participating in the conversation and shows
enthusiasm, positivity, and high spirit. My worry is that students will find
this to be a waste of time or that I will not be able to relate to them and
their experiences. I hope to be as cohesive and understanding as possible in
order to make sure everyone feels integrated and even more, assimilated into
the American culture throughout the year.
My motivation to be a Chat Café facilitator comes from the
mere idea of being able to give back and pay it forward. I believe I have been
very fortunate to be in the position that I am: a business student attending
UofM whose education has led her into the banking world. I hope to pass on my
knowledge, skills, and various experiences to these students. In addition, I
hope to learn from them and expose myself to different cultures and ways of
living. I have traveled around the world and visited many interesting places,
but it is completely different to be able to immerse myself with those very
individuals who have come from various countries. It is an overall learning
experience for everyone and I hope to be able to provide advice and guidance in
any way I can while at the same time be a friend and companion to my peers.
Hey Smita -- as I commented on Sarah's post, you shouldn't worry that people will find the group a waste of time. The group offers a weekly space to talk -- just to talk. People signed up because that's what they want. As long as the group offers people that space to have conversations, it's doing exactly what the participants have signed up for. Beyond that, I think a strategy we discussed in class last week can be a helpful way to ensure that participants' priorities are being addressed: namely, ask your group members directly what they hope to get out of participating, and how they'd prefer to spend the hour each week.
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