I want you to think really hard about the places you've gone, outside of your home country. I want you to think about the people you've seen, met, spoken with etc... What is it about them that makes them "Italian, German, Australian, Argentine, Chinese or Saudi Arabian?" So much about a country and its history pays homage to its' "people". It is for this reason that I am head-over-heels IN LOVE with my job. For those who don't know, I teach English as a Second Language. Most of my students are between the ages of 18 and 65. Their jobs vary from au pairs, to diplomats to ambassadors. Each day my classroom is filled with numerous cultures. When my student from Saudi Arabia walks into the room, he brings his countries' language, unique clothing and the strong aroma of their coffee. As my student from Italy meanders into the room, he brings his romantic language, his suave and flirty "italian manner" and of course his excitement of pizza and gelato! Every day my classroom is a melting pot of different cultures because so much of a country depends on its' people. It truly is incredible to have so much diversity in one room.
I would have to say that the most profound thing I have found, from all my travels, and from meeting people all over the world is that at the end of the day we are all the same. We are all human; we cry, we laugh, we get bored, tired, hungry, happy, excited, nervous and the list goes on. It is quite common that my friends ask me, "Katrina, how are you teaching arabic speaking people and students from France and Russia and all over the world if you don't know their language?" My answer is so simple and I owe part of it to my TEFL teacher, Vance. I simply say "because we're all human and a relationship starts with a name."
