Blog #6

Over this semester, I have not only gotten to watch all of my participants grow more confident in their English and get excited about discovering new places in Ann Arbor, but also to become friends with each other as well. It has been wonderful to have both groups grow and share their experiences in a new country. It has also been a reminder about all of the different ways of life that exist around the globe, which has been important to me, given certain aspects of the current political climate in this country. I have learned a lot from my group over the semester, and I think that I will use this in my everyday life, both in and out of classes. It has given me a greater understanding of other cultures (especially China), as well as introduced me to some wonderful new people!

To improve in the future, I will make a more detailed schedule ahead of time with all of the things I want/ plan to do. This semester has taught me where participants may be excited to go, as well as what is fun to do at the various places. For example, TeaHaus was a big hit, despite being a bit of a walk, and one of my groups asked to go back for our last meeting so that they could try more teas! This will also allow me to make sure that I am always very prepared (and not waiting for craft supplies to arrive the day I want to use them!). I think it also allow me to incorporate a few more crafts in on the weeks where we do not visit anywhere.

Overall, Chat Café has been a wonderful experience, and I am excited to do it again and to learn even more from other students!

One final post....

It's hard to believe the semester is already coming to a close. I remember sitting in that eerie room in the basement of the dental building waiting for more people to arrive - only to discover that it would be a class of just 2 students. Never having had a class with just me, one other person, and the professor, I was a little nervous about how it would pan out. But Chat Cafe has been one of the most rewarding classes I've taken. 

Even though I was very anxious before my first meeting (wondering what I'd do if the conversation stalled or my group members didn't have fun), it has only gone up from there. Each session was something different; either in terms of activity or location. Based on student reactions, it was a good strategy to do this because they got a chance to explore Ann Arbor which they said they previously hadn't gotten to do.

One of the funniest times I had in Chat Cafe was when we were discussing our favorite TV shows and the quietest guy in the group looks sheepishly around before informing us that his favorite show is Desperate Housewives. I was completely shocked; I rarely find people who can tolerate that show besides me, and of all people, an international student in my Chat Cafe group turns out to be a Wisteria Lane fan - what are the odds? We spent a while discussing how irritating Teri Hatcher's character was and how everything in the show was so messed up and fun. I was pleasantly surprised to form a bond over such an unlikely topic. 

I've learned so much from being a Chat Cafe facilitator, and I know it'll translate to to other areas of my life, as well. Doing this has helped me develop my ability to adapt to novel circumstances. A lot of times, if someone didn't show up or there was an issue with our meeting place, etc. I had to figure out a different activity for us to do. 

Also, I learned that there is a lot a I don't know about the culture of international students. Sometimes a student would react in an unexpected way to a question asked and when I asked about it, they would reply "we don't really talk about that back home" or "that's too personal" or "I didn't understand it, I've never seen it." It has both taught me to be more attuned to the emotions of others and it has inspired me to learn more about the culture of others. 

I'm so glad I got this opportunity, and I am sad to see it end!