When I arrived at Union Grounds last Thursday I saw Joe
sitting at a table with another guy. Joe and I said our hellos and then he
introduced me to one of his classmates named Harrison. Harrison was about to
leave but I insisted on him staying and joining in my conversations with Joe. I
learned that Harrison is also and IEP student which is where he met Joe.
Harrison is from China and has been in the program at TCU for about a year. It
was really a great experience learning about him and his culture and tying
everything together in conversation. There were points where Joe and Harrison
would talk and poke fun at each other and it was quite entertaining for me to
sit and watch. It was clear that each guy was trying to one up the other person
with a witty remark. I have to say I think Joe won!
Since our meeting was before the Thanksgiving break, I
decided it was a good topic to bring up and discuss with Joe. As silly as it
sounds, it is weird to think that other countries don’t celebrate Thanksgiving
like we do in the United States. Now don’t get me wrong, I know why they
wouldn’t celebrate the holiday anywhere but the United States, but sometimes
its hard to think outside of my own culture. It never really struck me what it
would be like to stay at TCU during the holiday break because I’ve always gone
home and spent time with family. Talking to Joe and Harrison about what they
during that time made me realize how different our college experiences are.
Coming from Chicago I can say that I have a good idea what it is like to miss
home and family, but then when I think about what Joe and other IEP students
do, it changes my perspective a bit. Joe’s family is half way around the world
and he doesn’t get to see them until he leaves TCU permanently this winter. It
is clear that Joe and the other IEP students have great dedication to what they
are doing because they give up what is familiar and completely immerse
themselves in another culture. Joe explained to me how is father works out of
Dallas even though his mother and the majority of his family live in Japan.
During the Thanksgiving break he said he would probably go spend time with his
father. I’m not sure how common it is for IEP students to have family near by
but I am guessing it is rare.
Joe, Harrison, and I talked a lot about what are plans are
over winter break and for the next semester. Joe explained to me that he is
leaving TCU in December and he will graduate from college in April when he is
back in Japan. I was shocked to find out how soon he was graduating! The
schooling times work a little differently over in Japan but Joe explained he
was not that excited to graduate because it means he has to get a job right
away. I guess college life is fun universally. I did happen to ask Joe about
his college experience in Japan versus his college experience in the United
States and he informed me that it is much more strict and serious in the United
States. He also said he likes it a lot over here which is good, because who
wouldn’t love TCU?!
An exciting event that occurred at our fifth meeting was Joe
and I became Facebook friends! I can’t really understand anything on his
Facebook page, but hey I’m becoming more culturally aware! It was really
entertaining having a conversation with both Joe and Harrison. I felt like the
communication barrier increased a little bit and there were some issues with
getting our points across but that made the experience all the better. My next
meeting with Joe will be bittersweet because I will get to say goodbye to him
before the holidays but it will probably be the last time I see him since he is
leaving for Japan after finals.
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