Part I: Conversation Partner Meeting #6
The semester is dwindling down and with it, finals come tumbling at you at roughly 1,000 mph. It's casual, we promise.
My last meeting with Ileana was short. Ileana had finals going on so she had a lot on her mind and on her agenda.
We talked about the future and what it holds.
Ileana is planning to get her Master's at TCU. She has grown to love TCU and the Fort Worth community, and who could blame her.
I asked her what she had learned most from this experience, as I was curious if this had enriched her life. She said she had learned to be tolerant and learned more in general about American culture.
I told her I had learned about her and some about her culture, but honestly I had hoped to get more out of it.
I wish Ileana had cared as much as I had about this experience. I'm not sure if this is true, but it seemed as though she was "too cool" for this experience. She didn't make time in her schedule, and when she did she would either A) cancel at the last minute or B) not show up. It was upsetting to see so many other classmates have this wonderful times with their partners and I barely even know Ileana.
I understand that most people had a life-altering experience. I wish I could have had that too.
This is absolutely NOT saying that Ileana is anything but a kind person and an excellent student. This is saying that she did not have the time or will to go on this journey with me. She is extremely busy, as am I. The difference is this was not a part of her grade.
I think it would help if maybe the IEP students were asked whether or not they wanted to participate. Then if a student does not have the time or want, he or she does not have to participate.
I had a lot of hopes for this experience, and it left me bereft.
But, what more have I learned? Even failed experiments yield experience.
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Part II: An Ode to Lit and Civ II
I loved this class. I'm not sure if anyone will understand what I mean by this, but this truly felt like a college class. I felt like I was learning on a new level than some of my other classes (I'm looking at you Baby Bio). Shout out to John V. Roach for enriching my college career.
Choosing a theme to rest your curriculum on is spectacular. You know throughout the semester that whatever you read, see, or experience will have to do with water (our theme). It is refreshing to have a class set up this way.
The real gem of this class was two-fold: Dr. Williams and my other classmates.
Dr. Williams: you are one of the best TCU professors. I have learned so much in this class, far beyond the limits of a classroom. I have delved into the water crisis head first and emerged a more learned human. I know much more about my planet than I dreamed I would from Lit and Civ II. Thank you for being a honest, humorous, awesome professor.
Class: thank you. I have loved this class from beginning to end. There seemed to be a huge camaraderie that existed within those four walls (and outside too). Each of you is unique and weird (in the best way) and boy, am I gonna miss this class.
With that, I bid you arrivederci.
Farewell, comrades, and Godspeed.
There is no part of this blog post that I do not love. First of all, PREACH IT GURL on the conversation partner front. I thought I was the only one who didn't necessarily come out on the other end with a new BFF. I heard all my friends talking about what great experiences they have had with the assignment and how much they love their partners, but I'm just not sure if I really felt that. She was from a city in Mexico which was not too far from the border, and honestly her culture wasn't too radically different from ours, so I didn't feel as if I necessarily gained any sort of global cultural insight. As you said, it's not to say that I didn't like my partner. She is super sweet and obviously very intelligent. We just never seemed to develop that great of a report. Sometimes the conversation felt a little forced because she is such a naturally shy person but I had to get her talking about something because these blog posts weren't going to write themselves! So anyway, the point is, you are definitely not alone.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked the class. I, too, really liked the camaraderie that seemed to develop among the students. I only wish that we had all gotten to know one another a little better. As much as a thought I would never say this, I'm sorry that the semester is over. I don't know what I'm going to do when Dr. Williams' dog is no longer in my life.
Hayley--
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and am sorry to hear that your conversation partner has proven to be less than engaging.... I think you make a valid point as well; I was thankful to have a conversation partner that was anxious and willing to meet, however, I do wish I would have obtained a closer bond with her like some of our colleagues who are walking away with very real friendships! It's definitely hard to schedule with one another sometimes.
As far as your comments on the class, I too think this class has been such a light in my week and has enriched my college career and senior year in such a unique way. When you think of college, you think of experiences such as these; ones that are founded on stimulating conversations between peers about topics that are relevant and important. It's refreshing to not just be lectured from class to class but to become immersed in the topic and engage in intelligent discussions during class periods. I will miss the professor, the topics, the classmates, and, as Rachel appropriately put it, my day will be much darker without the smile (and disheartening rejection) of Callie.
Wish you all of the best!