Looking back on the semester as it comes to an end, I'm so glad I chose to participate in Chat Cafe. I came into this program wanting to make new friends and learn a bit about cultures other than my own and I achieved both of those goals. Also, I FINALLY achieved my dream of showing my group the Legend of Korra during our meeting last week, except only one person came, which has never happened before, so that was a little sad. But, because of my overall positive experiences with my group, I really couldn’t be too upset about it.
I don’t think I’d change much in terms of the way I approached Chat Cafe and planning my meetings. I let everything about the program come naturally to me—I never planned out conversation topics and didn’t stress much about where to meet. The result was a very organic friendship between me and my four members that makes these feel more like designating catching-up time rather than a mandated meeting. I feel very fortunate to have gotten a group with members who were generally respectful about letting me know when they had to miss some Chat Cafes, and I wish everyone in our class had had the same experience.
That being said, however, I don’t think a many-membered cafe always equates to a good one. When I met with Sofie and Heather, her most consistent conversation circle member, we had a great conversation about school and language and life after college. Even though it was just the three of us, time flew and I felt like we had a really good time together. It just goes to show that this program is about the strength of the bonds you build more than it’s about the amount you get to make.
I’m pretty sure that, schedule permitting, I’ll be participating in Chat Cafe again next semester. It’s such a wonderful experience and I truly want to continue making new connections with people and learning more about the experiences and backgrounds that make them who they are. I’m quite sad that I’ve only got one meeting left with my group, but I’m confident it’ll be a memorable one.
Hey, Bella!
ReplyDeleteI definitely relate to your experience as a facilitator - I also did my best from the start not to "plan" meetings, and like yourself my meetings usually feel less like meetings and more like "designated catching-up time"...and since I consider myself a generally laid back person, I suppose I wouldn't have it any other way.
I also agree that when there were 3-4 of us, rather than 6-7, in my group things felt at least a little more natural. It was when we hit that right number that I was able to totally lose any anxiety about including certain members more/less during conversation...but at the same time I wonder if we still have to sign up 6-7 names per facilitator if we are even to ensure the attendance of 3-4 students.
But yeah! Similar feelings about the whole experience - really letting the space be an informal one, where just "chatting" was the goal, always felt like the way to go for me, and it's cool seeing that the same thing worked for you (though I'll acknowledge that we maybe just had good fortune in getting groups that had good overall chemistry).
Great meeting you this semester! - Kaitlyn