My experience in the CESL was very enticing. I met a student from Korea named MJ. MJ majored in computer sciences in Korea and has received both a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree, and is in America going for his PhD and perfecting his English. MJ is now 29, and is living in the Sahara apartments. I found out that MJ really likes working out, and I could tell because he was pretty buff. He explained to me how in his country he was a personal trainer, and knows a lot about working out. He told me how he likes staying very healthy and only eating and drinking things that will help keep him fit. It didn’t surprise me when he said that the beverage he would compare himself to is water. He likes staying pure and clean. He seemed like a very kind and down to earth person and lives by the motto, “Honesty, endurance, until the end.”
MJ said that the transition to America has had its pros and cons. He told me that in America people are much nicer and considerate than in Korea. For example, he said in Korea if you want to cross the street and there is traffic, you’re basically on your own and cars do not stop for you. On the contrary, in our country you can walk around campus without even having to stop and watch for cars because everyone is kind enough to allow pedestrians to cross the road. One of the troubles he has had is communication. He said that it is hard talking to the other students at CESL because they are mainly from China and he does not speak Chinese. He also said he feels his English has not improved that much because he lives in an apartment alone so he is not practicing his English too often.
The story Letter to Mexico explained the author’s hatred of her own society which points to hatred of herself because she is a product of her own society. When American’s venture into other countries I am sure there is some sort of resentment. My guess is that people in other countries feel that American’s think they are better than everyone else…
Meeting MJ was definitely a cool experience.
